Director of Manufacturing Operations

Job Description

Job DescriptionBe yourself at Protolabs Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification.  We are an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a diverse team that feels they are valued in the workplace.  So do you feel you do not meet every single requirement but still intrigued? We encourage you to still apply!  You can help make our company even better.  We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, mental or physical ability, or any way you represent yourself.  We strongly believe diversity makes for more successful teams. Why Protolabs? We are the leaders in digital manufacturing. We hire doers, makers, and creative thinkers who tackle our roles with an entrepreneurial spirit. Our culture is centered around meaningful work that brings new and innovative products to market at unprecedented speeds. We are a diverse team that comes from all walks of life and take pride in our team who is smart, genuine, humble, and passionate about what we do. It’s our people who fuel our creativity and make our culture feel like home.
Join us as a Director Of Manufacturing Operations!
The Director of Manufacturing Operation, Production is responsible for leading and optimizing all production activities within a high‑mix, fast‑paced manufacturing environment. This leader will own plant‑level operations, including safety, production, process engineering, maintenance, workforce leadership, and operational excellence.What you'll do:

• Own plant operations—production, maintenance, safety, quality, delivery, and financial performance.
• Champion a Safety First culture and drive daily performance (OTD, quality, throughput, cost, rework, labor).
• Optimize staffing, scheduling, capacity, and workflow.
• Build scalable processes with Process Engineering; remove bottlenecks using Lean/Kaizen/5S and visual controls.
• Set the Manufacturing Operations roadmap; turn strategy into KPIs and executable plans; manage the operating budget and margins.
• Ensure operational readiness and effective change management for new technologies, capabilities, and products.
• Partner cross-functionally to enable flawless execution and resolve customer and production escalations.
• Lead, develop, and empower the site leadership team; set the tone for accountability, urgency, and continuous improvement; represent the facility to employees, customers, and executives.

What it takes:

• 10+ years in manufacturing/operations leadership
• Deep production experience
• Proven capability in precision, high-volume, and technologically advanced manufacturing environments.
• Proven track record in strengthening productions processes and systems through disciplined execution and continuous improvement
• Strong cross-cultural leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience in regulated environments (e.g., ISO 13485, ITAR, CGMC, CMMC) is a plus.
• Experience scaling production activities, and adding new product families (e.g. technology, new equipment, new processes)

What's in it for you:

• We offer a competitive Total Rewards package including but not limited to: salary + annual bonus opportunity
• In addition, we offer amazing benefits including but not limited to:
• Health Insurance: Traditional OR High Deductible plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account (including employer contributions)
• Dental and Vision
• Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Paid caregiver leave
• You will receive Self-Managed PTO + Holiday Pay + Wellness Hours + Volunteer Hours
• 401k with company match and immediate vest
• Employee Stock Purchase Program at a 15% discounted rate
• Matching grants through Protolabs foundation
• And More!

Protolabs offers a competitive total rewards package, and compensation mix vary based on position, such as base wage, as well as other earnings including incentives and commissions. Actual pay offered will vary depending on multiple factors which may include, without limitation, job function, work experience, specialized skills, training, education, and certifications. Proto Labs maintains ITAR-compliant operations in all of our United States based facilities. Due to ITAR regulations, this role is only open to U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders) or foreign nationals granted refugee or asylee status. Individuals with temporary visas (e.g. E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, TN or OPT) are not eligible for hire in this role. Proto Labs, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer Physical Demands: While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use a computer keyboard, monitor and mouse, telephone and printer; reach with hands, and arms, talk, see and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop or kneel and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.Work Environment: Indoors (A/C); nonsmoking; the majority of this job function is performed in an office setting requiring normal safety precautions. However, there may be job duties that require the employee to spend time in the manufacturing areas exposed to machinery and noise; eye protection occasionally required. Occasionally works in outside weather conditions. Occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.