Director of Operations - Expat (Asia or Mexico)

Job title: Director of Operations - Expat (Asia or Mexico)

About the Role The Director of Operations will oversee Milwaukee Tool’s global Power Tools facilities, driving operational excellence and world-class manufacturing strategies. The role begins in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the first six months and transitions to an expatriate assignment in Asia or Mexico to support global expansion and operational strategy.

What You'll Do

• Develop and execute an operational strategy that delivers best-in-class safety, quality, service levels, and cost efficiency.
• Establish manufacturing strategies, footprints, facilities, and operations to support global growth and customer requirements effectively and efficiently.
• Build and maintain a global culture rooted in Milwaukee Tool’s core values, fostering open communication, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Implement operational disciplines and best practices, including Lean principles, 5S, KPI dashboards, workforce agility, and data-driven decision-making.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying and addressing gaps in processes, systems, and technologies across the global value stream.
• Collaborate with New Product Development teams to ensure seamless integration of operations for global product launches.
• Lead the development and mentoring of high-energy, talented operations teams across all regions.
• Monitor, report, and analyze operational performance globally, leveraging technology and real-time data for informed decision-making.
• Build strong relationships with cross-functional teams, including sales, engineering, and product management, to ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Cultivate end-user demand and distribution partnerships through strategic promotions, training, and engagement initiatives.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Business, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive management experience in manufacturing operations, including exposure to global manufacturing.
• Expertise in high-volume consumer product assembly component manufacturing.
• Proven track record of strategic planning, Profit and Loss (P&L) management, and Quality Systems.
• Strong understanding of Lean principles, Six Sigma methodologies, and continuous improvement tools.
• Familiarity with diverse cultural environments and ability to lead teams across multiple geographies.

Nice to Have

• Experience in start-up or high-growth manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated ability to optimize processes through value stream mapping and other Lean tools.
• Strong business judgment with the ability to prioritize and articulate high-impact initiatives.
• Optional: other Lean tools and cross-cultural leadership experience.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: Not disclosed
• Benefits: Not disclosed
• Perks: Not disclosed