Director of Operations

About National Presort (NPI)

NPI, a Duravant company, is a proven leader in automated sorting solutions. For over 45 years, NPI has delivered high-speed, low-maintenance parcel and letter sorting systems tailored to customer operations across industries including logistics, e-commerce, distribution, and postal services. Our solutions are engineered for scalability, efficiency, and long-term performance—reflecting our commitment to Efficiency Through Innovation.

The Director of Operations is responsible for the overall leadership, strategy, and execution of all operational functions, including manufacturing, production, supply chain coordination, EHS management, and operational support services. This role provides executive-level oversight of day-to-day operations while driving long-term strategic initiatives to improve efficiency, scalability, cost control, and customer satisfaction.

This position leads the following departments: Direct Production, Quality, Shipping/Receiving/Stockroom, Purchasing, Other Indirect, Temp Production, and EHS to ensure successful delivery of customer projects on time, within budget, and to quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Execution

• Provide leadership and oversight for all production, assembly, and operational activities involved in building automated sortation systems
• Direct and optimize plant operations including mechanical and electrical assembly, staging, testing, and shipping
• Ensure operational alignment with project timelines, customer commitments, and contract requirements
• Establish and maintain operational cadence, reporting, and KPI tracking for performance, productivity, and quality
• Ensure all operational activities are executed in accordance with established safety standards and risk mitigation protocols
   

Strategic Planning & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with company growth objectives
• Drive Lean manufacturing, Kaizen events, and continuous improvement initiatives across operations
• Identify process inefficiencies and implement scalable solutions to increase throughput, reduce waste, and improve margins
• Lead capacity planning and resource forecasting to support growth and new product introductions (NPI environment)

Financial & Budget Management

• Own and manage operational budgets, including labor, materials, and overhead costs
• Develop cost-center budgets and monitor expenditures to ensure financial targets are met
• Analyze performance metrics and financial data to drive cost reduction and operational efficiency
• Partner with Finance and executive leadership to support forecasting, capital investments, and ROI initiatives

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as the primary operational liaison between Engineering, Project Management, Field Service, Quality, and Supply Chain
• Collaborate on production schedules, engineering changes, and project execution plans
• Ensure alignment between design, manufacturing, and installation teams for seamless project delivery
• Support customer-facing teams with operational input during project planning and issue resolution

Project Execution & Delivery

• Oversee execution of complex, custom automation projects from production through shipment
• Ensure adherence to project deadlines, budgets, and technical specifications
• Proactively identify and mitigate risks that could impact delivery timelines or customer expectations
• Drive accountability for on-time, in-full (OTIF) delivery

People Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop operations leadership team, including production managers and supervisors
• Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability, safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Oversee workforce planning, hiring, training, and performance management
• Foster a culture of engagement, ownership, and operational excellence
• Hold leaders accountable for safety performance and compliance within their teams
• Promote a safety-first culture that empowers employees to identify and report hazards

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with NPI and regulatory Health, Safety & Environmental (EHS) standards
• Lead safety initiatives, audits, and incident response processes
• Maintain strict adherence to quality standards and drive corrective/preventive actions
• Promote a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement throughout the organization

Operational Systems & Process Optimization

• Develop and implement systems and processes to track and improve productivity, efficiency, and asset utilization
• Utilize data and analytics to identify trends, inefficiencies, and improvement opportunities
• Standardize workflows, reporting, and operational procedures across departments
• Drive adoption of best practices in production management, inventory control, and demand planning
   

Customer & Business Impact

• Ensure operations consistently support customer satisfaction, quality expectations, and service commitments
• Support escalation resolution for operational issues impacting customers
• Contribute to overall business strategy and operational scalability as the company grows

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field required (MBA preferred); equivalent experience or other relevant certification/training may be accepted in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree. Associate degree holders will also be considered.
• 8–12+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing or industrial operations
• Experience in conveyor systems, parcel sortation, or material handling equipment strongly preferred
• Proven success leading multi-functional operations teams in a project-based manufacturing environment
• Strong background in Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets, cost controls, and operational financial performance

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking with strong execution capability
• Advanced leadership, team development, and organizational management skills
• Strong commitment to safety leadership and regulatory compliance
• Experience leading EHS programs in a manufacturing environment
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Ability to lead in a fast-paced, custom-engineered manufacturing environment
• High accountability with a hands-on leadership approach

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments
• May require standing, walking, and visiting production areas for extended periods

The duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list. As our business evolves, responsibilities may be adjusted to meet organizational needs. Employees may be asked to support additional tasks or projects from time to time in support of team and company goals.