Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions.
Operations Director – Pewaukee Lead. Transform. Deliver.
Xylem: We’re seeking a driven Operations Director to lead our Pewaukee, WI facility—a powerhouse for Engineer-to-Order (ETO) pumps, aftermarket parts, Configure-to-Order (CTO) pumps, and custom pump service. It’s a high-mix, low-volume operation where adaptability, precision, and leadership set the tone every day.
As the senior site leader, you’ll own end-to-end operations—driving safety, quality, delivery, cost, and performance. You’ll champion Xylem’s Lean Production System, build a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, and set the stage for sustainable growth and operational excellence.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
Operational Strategy & Execution
- Lead day-to-day operations across manufacturing, planning, quality, logistics, and service.
- Ensure safe, high-quality, and on-time delivery of ETO/CTO pumps and aftermarket solutions.
- Drive alignment with Xylem’s global Lean Production System (XPS) and Goal Deployment Process (Hoshin Kanri).
- Oversee site-level execution of critical customer orders, shop-floor production, and capacity planning.
- Champion site-specific transformation initiatives tied to simplification, on-time delivery (OTD), and lead-time reduction.
Lean & Continuous Improvement
- Embed Lean methodologies across the site using tools such as A3 Thinking, 5S, Standard Work, PDCA, and Value Stream Mapping (VSM).
- Lead Kaizen events and Just-Do-Its to improve workflow, reduce waste, and increase responsiveness.
- Partner with Engineering, Service, and Supply Chain to accelerate throughput of custom orders and aftermarket solutions.
- Maintain flexibility in production and service operations to meet variable demand and technical complexity.
People Leadership & Culture
- Lead, coach, and develop salaried and hourly teams to build ownership, accountability, and problem-solving capability.
- Promote a zero-harm safety culture with proactive risk mitigation and employee engagement.
- Develop internal talent pipelines, succession plans, and cross-training to increase workforce agility.
- Foster a high-performance, inclusive culture that values continuous learning and collaboration.
Customer & Financial Performance
- Ensure operational performance meets customer requirements in quality, responsiveness, and service levels.
- Own the site's operating budget, labor planning, and CAPEX investments.
- Drive cost-out initiatives while improving value delivery to customers.
- Monitor and act on KPI performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, and employee engagement.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or related field.
- 10+ years of leadership experience in manufacturing operations, preferably in an ETO/CTO or aftermarket service environment.
- Demonstrated success implementing Lean Production Systems and driving operational excellence.
- Strong understanding of job shop or low-volume, high-complexity manufacturing.
- Proven financial acumen in budgeting, cost control, and investment planning.
- Exceptional communication and team leadership skills.
Preferred:
- Master’s degree or MBA.
- Experience in pump manufacturing, rotating equipment, or engineered products.
- Six Sigma certification (Green or Black Belt).
- Familiarity with SAP or equivalent ERP systems.
- Knowledge of ISO 9001 and applicable regulatory standards.
Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world.
At Xylem, you'll not only contribute to solving water issues but also have the chance to make a difference through our paid Volunteer Program, Xylem Watermark. We prioritize our employees' well-being through inclusion and belonging as well as our Employee Resource Groups (ERG). Proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (including disability and veterans) and Affirmative Action workplace, Xylem fosters an inclusive environment free from discrimination or harassment.
Please note that the information in this job description outlines the general nature of the position and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Xylem is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to enable all employees to perform their essential job functions. We reserve the right to modify this job description and assign additional duties as needed. Embrace the opportunity to be part of Xylem's transformative journey in shaping the future of water technology! #XylemCareers #GlobalImpact #WaterInnovation
Top Skills
What We Do
Xylem |ˈzīləm|
1) The tissue in plants that brings water upward from the roots;
2) a leading global water technology company.
Xylem, a leading global water technology company dedicated to solving the world’s most challenging water issues, is the leading global provider of efficient, innovative and sustainable water technologies improving the way water is used, managed, conserved and re-used. Our international team is unified in a common purpose: creating advanced technology and other trusted solutions to solve the world’s water challenges. We are committed to creating an organization of inclusion and diversity, where everyone feels involved, respected, valued and connected, and where everyone is free to bring their authentic selves and ideas.
If you are excited and passionate about helping us #letssolvewater, we want to hear from you!
