Director of Operations

Join the world's largest HVAC company, named by Forbes as one of America's Best-In-State Employers 2025!

Daikin Applied is seeking a Director of Operations. You will have the ability to make an impact and shape your career with a company that is passionate about growth. The support of an organization that believes it is vital to include and engage diverse people, perspectives, and ideas to achieve our best. Come be a part of an exciting journey at Daikin Applied, where innovation and excellence drive our every endeavor!

Location: Owatonna, MN – onsite

Your Responsibilities:

• Develops and maintains manufacturing operations business plans to include all program requirements, labor hours, production costs, backlogs, quality and other related manufacturing statistics.

• Provides input to the development of product strategy and research and development of new and emerging products.

• Establishes production and quality control standards, develops budget and cost controls, and obtains data regarding types, quantities, specifications, and delivery dates of products ordered.

• Provides guidance to the development of a manufacturing process plan, including personnel requirements, material needs, subcontract requirements, facility needs, and tooling and equipment needs.

• Ensures all established costs, quality, and delivery commitments are met.

• Coordinates manufacturing activities with all other functions of the organization and suppliers to obtain optimum production and utilization of human resources, machines, and equipment.

• Reviews production, operating and financial reports and communicates information to executive management.

• Determines responsibilities of assigned organization and staff positions to accomplish business objectives.

• Develops plant policies and supervises the application of such policies. Ensures that all assigned employees are aware of and comply with company, government, and customer policies, procedures, and regulations.

• Participates in organizational development to ensure appropriate and adequate utilization of labor, machinery and equipment. Takes action to implement changes/improvements when necessary.

• Oversees the implementation of manufacturing schedules based on sales requirements and plant capacity.

• Monitors production activities to eliminate delays and ensure adherence to production and shopping schedules.

• Maintains effective communications with Engineering, Purchasing, Materials, Customer Service, Marketing and other departments to constantly seek production improvements, minimize costs and ensure maximum customer satisfaction.

• Oversees a strong, proactive safety program to promote a safe, healthy working environment for all plant employees.

• Seeks to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship with the union and provides information in periodic Labor-Management meetings.

• Maintains conformance to budgetary limitations in all departments.

• Manages supervisors and other employees by establishing goals, allocating resources, assessing annual performance and determining individual merit and promotional increases. 

Your Qualifications:

• 4-year bachelor’s degree in a related field

• 10 years of related experience

• 6+ years of people leading experience

Your Benefits:

Daikin Applied offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: 

• Multiple medical insurance plan options + dental and vision insurance  

• 401K retirement plan with employer match

• Paid time off and company paid holidays

• Paid sick time in accordance with the federal, state and local law

• Tuition Reimbursement after 6 months of continuous service 

Work visa sponsorship is not available for this position

The typical annual base salary for this position ranges from $142,600 to $250,900 + bonus incentive program eligibility up to 30% in Minnesota. The range displayed represents the pay range for all positions in the job grade which this position falls. Individual base pay will depend on a wide range of factors including your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.