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Senior Director, Advanced Manufacturing

Location: 

Charlotte, NC, US, 28277

Requisition ID:  3361

Job Summary/Overview

The Senior Director of Advanced Manufacturing provides strategic leadership for advanced manufacturing operations, engineering excellence, automation, capital deployment, continuous improvement, and manufacturing transformation initiatives across multiple facilities. This executive leader drives operational performance, productivity, quality, safety, innovation, and cost optimization while aligning manufacturing capabilities with enterprise growth objectives. The role partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Product Management, Quality, Finance, and Human Resources to develop world-class manufacturing systems and scalable operational strategies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute the long-term advanced manufacturing strategy aligned with business objectives and operational excellence goals.
  • Provide leadership for manufacturing engineering, automation, maintenance, capital projects, and process improvement initiatives.
  • Drive enterprise-wide performance in safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and customer satisfaction metrics.
  • Lead the design, deployment, validation, and scaling of advanced manufacturing technologies, automation systems, and digital manufacturing solutions.
  • Direct capital planning, investment prioritization, and execution of manufacturing expansion and modernization projects.
  • Champion Lean Manufacturing, Value Stream Management, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies across operations.
  • Develop current and future state manufacturing roadmaps to improve capacity, throughput, efficiency, and competitiveness.
  • Partner with product development teams to ensure manufacturability and successful launch of new products and processes.
  • Establish operational governance, performance management systems, and executive-level reporting mechanisms.
  • Build, mentor, and develop high-performing leadership teams and succession pipelines.
  • Collaborate with site leaders to standardize best practices and drive operational consistency across facilities.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory, environmental, safety, and quality standards.
  • Manage departmental budgets, resource planning, and financial performance objectives.
  • Serve as a key member of the operations leadership team, influencing enterprise strategy and business transformation initiatives.
  • Perform other duties and strategic initiatives as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities

  • Executive-level leadership and strategic planning capabilities.
  • Deep expertise in advanced manufacturing technologies, automation, robotics, and process engineering.
  • Strong financial acumen with experience managing operating and capital budgets.
  • Exceptional change management, organizational development, and transformational leadership skills.
  • Advanced knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
  • Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
  • Excellent communication and executive stakeholder management skills.
  • Ability to lead complex cross-functional and multi-site initiatives.
  • Knowledge of quality systems, regulatory compliance requirements, and operational risk management.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline; Master's degree preferred.
  • 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including multi-site or enterprise-level responsibility.
  • 7+ years of leadership experience managing leaders, managers, and cross-functional teams.
  • Significant experience leading capital projects, manufacturing transformation, and automation implementations.
  • Demonstrated success driving operational excellence, productivity improvements, and cost reduction initiatives.
  • Experience working in complex industrial, manufacturing, or engineered products environments.

About Columbus McKinnon:

Columbus McKinnon is a leading worldwide designer, manufacturer and marketer of intelligent motion solutions that move the world forward and improve lives by efficiently and ergonomically moving, lifting, positioning and securing materials.  Key products include hoists, crane components, precision conveyor systems, rigging tools, light rail workstations and digital power and motion control systems.  We are focused on commercial and industrial applications that require the safety and quality provided by our superior design and engineering know-how.  Columbus McKinnon is a publicly traded company that has been in business for almost 150 years – proud of our heritage, where we come from, and where we’re going. As Columbus McKinnon grows globally, so does our need for driven and inspired employees. Join our winning team!

Columbus McKinnon Corporation promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, marital status, or any other Federal or State legally-protected classes.  We also value the safety of all associates and work hard to maintain a Drug Free Workplace.


Nearest Major Market: Charlotte

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