Director of Operations

Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc.

As a part of the global industrial organization Marmon Holdings—which is backed by Berkshire Hathaway—you’ll be doing things that matter, leading at every level, and winning a better way. We’re committed to making a positive impact on the world, providing you with diverse learning and working opportunities, and fostering a culture where everyone’s empowered to be their best.

We are seeking an experienced multi-site Director of Operations to oversee the production of metal caskets, KD parts, and casket or non-casket components at our Lynn, Indiana, Broadview, Illinois manufacturing facilities and various distribution locations. As a key member of the management team, you will collaborate with various departments to establish strategic goals, ensuring the achievement of annual objectives. Success in this role will be measured by maintaining high standards of safety, quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Company Overview:

The Wilbert Group, which is part of Marmon Holdings, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway Company and is a $300 million company with four industry-leading brands, 1,200 employee partners, 100 licensee partners, and 300+ points of distribution. The Wilbert Group offers a range of manufactured concrete products, including burial vaults, monuments, lawn crypts, columbarium niches, septic tanks, retaining walls, storm shelters, and agricultural precast products. The company operates manufacturing plants, warehouses, monument production facilities, a casket manufacturing plant, and crematories. The monument division produces granite memorials and markers, custom granite signage, and engraved brick pavers, and engages in wholesale monument sales.

Division Overview – Astral

Astral Industries: Astral Industries is a premier manufacturer of high-quality steel burial caskets, offering a diverse range of products including metal, solid wood, engineered wood, veneer wood, and cremation caskets. The division is unique in its ability to purchase raw steel coils and produce finished powder-coated caskets within a single facility. Astral's manufacturing capabilities include electro-mechanical assembly, fabrication, sheet metal forming, stamping, structural welding, and automated powder coating. The company utilizes advanced processes such as a 6-stage pre-treatment for protective coatings and fully automated powder coat lines capable of handling large parts. These capabilities ensure that Astral Industries delivers best-in-class products with exceptional consistency and quality.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced multi-site Director of Operations to oversee the production of metal caskets, KD parts, and casket or non-casket components at our Lynn, Indiana, Broadview, Illinois manufacturing facilities and various distribution locations. As a key member of the management team, you will collaborate with various departments to establish strategic goals, ensuring the achievement of annual objectives. Success in this role will be measured by maintaining high standards of safety, quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Executive Vice President of Operations and other members of Astral's management team to establish annual strategic goals.
• Influence and maintain specified production quality, quantity, efficiency, and inventory levels.
• Provide daily oversight of the production management team, including Stamping, Assembly, Powder, Finish, Shipping, Scheduling, Maintenance, Engineering, Tool & Die, and Supply Chain.
• Ensure compliance with State, Federal, and Company safety requirements, including employee training and necessary meetings. Maintain adherence to OSHA and DOT regulations.
• Collaborate with management to develop and implement strategies for continuous improvement in safety performance and metrics.
• Drive cultural transformation by fostering a safety-conscious work environment and promoting a strong safety culture among employees.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify areas for safety improvement and implement proactive measures to mitigate risks.
• Develop and manage appropriate budgets for staffing and support employee partner recruitment, training, and career development.
• Monitor staff performance, oversee employee goal and objective setting, and conduct mid-year and year-end performance reviews. Assist staff in overcoming obstacles to accomplish work objectives.
• Prepare and/or approve probationary and annual reviews for the production team.
• Lead the Engineering, Maintenance, and Supply Chain teams in developing innovative solutions to production challenges, efficiency gains, and cost reductions.
• Maintain effective communication with the Scheduling team to ensure proper production rates to meet demand and avoid missed shipments.
• Achieve annual operational and financial goals and objectives for the division.

Education            

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Business, or related field is required.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of manufacturing leadership experience, including at least 5 years in a full site management role.
• Well Versed in Financial Needs (P&L), projections, and reporting.
• Previous experience in driving cultural and safety transformation.
• OSHA certification is a plus.
• Experience in the funeral industry and casket manufacturing is a plus.
• Ensure a safe working environment, prioritizing safety above all else.
• Influence and comply with Personal Protective Equipment and other safety-related Company policies.
• Work with HR & Compliance and the President to manage the production workforce within the budgeted headcount.
• Schedule product mix, rate, and hours of production effectively.
• Coordinate training programs for the production management teams and new hires.
• Request capital expenditures (AFE Form) to maintain or improve production capabilities.
• Embrace the Core Values of Integrity, Commitment, Innovation, Teamwork, and Excellence.

Skills

• Proven leadership skills with the ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Strong manufacturing management skills and a comprehensive understanding of production processes.
• Demonstrated ability to approach challenges with innovation and an emphasis on lean manufacturing principles.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Six Sigma, Lean and/or Operational Excellence certification/training.
• Good interpersonal skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with staff, employees, and managers.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate teams to achieve operational excellence.
• Ability to present facts and recommendations effectively in oral and written form.
• Must have a solid understanding of MS Office software.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Following receipt of a conditional offer of employment, candidates will be required to complete additional job-related screening processes as permitted or required by applicable law.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants will be considered for employment without attention to their membership in any protected class. If you require any reasonable accommodation to complete your application or any part of the recruiting process, please email your request to [email protected], and please be sure to include the title and the location of the position for which you are applying.