Operations Director

Reporting To: Regional Operations Director - Europe

Location: Porto

Purpose of the Role:

The Director, Operations for Porto is responsible for the strategic oversight and operational excellence of manufacturing, in partnership with materials management, and operational field services leadership, for Porto operations. The Operational site, consists of around 180 direct and indirect operational staff. This role is pivotal in translating the company's global operational strategy into effective site execution, ensuring high-quality product delivery, optimizing digital efficiency, and driving profitability within a complex, high-tech, multi-site manufacturing environment. The role will champion digital transformation initiatives, foster a culture of continuous improvement and sustainability, and ensure operations contribute significantly to global business objectives and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Strategy & Leadership:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive operational strategy for the site, aligning with global corporate and operations objectives and local market demands.

• Lead and manage the manufacturing operations.

• Drive operational excellence initiatives (e.g., Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Agile methodologies) to continuously improve productivity, quality, cost efficiency, and delivery performance.

• Financial responsibility for the specified operations, including budget development, forecasting, and cost control to achieve financial targets.

Manufacturing & Production Management:

• Oversee all aspects of production planning, scheduling, and execution across the manufacturing facilities.

• Ensure optimal capacity utilization, efficient resource allocation, and adherence to global quality standards.

• Drive the successful scaling of new product introductions (NPI), collaborating closely with R&D and Product Management.

• Champion a robust safety culture and ensure compliance with regional and national Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality (HSEQ) regulations.

• Champion the organisation’s sustainability goals.  This includes working towards Net-Zero emissions, optimising energy efficiency through Smart Manufacturing, identifying ways of recycling to achieve sustainability goals.

Supply Chain & Logistics Optimization:

• Partner with Supply Chain/ Procurement leadership to facilitate the end-to-end site supply chain requirements, including procurement, inventory management, warehousing, and inbound/outbound logistics.

• Provide input on regional supplier relationships, ensuring performance, quality, and cost-effectiveness.

Field Operations & Customer Fulfillment:

• Partner with Global Order Management to ensure timely and accurate delivery and installation of manufactured products to customers throughout customer locations.

• Collaborate with Commercial and Product Management to ensure operational capabilities meet customer expectations.

Digital Transformation & Technology Integration:

• Collaborate with Digital and Operations leadership to facilitate the regional implementation of global digital manufacturing and Industry 4.0 initiatives (e.g., IoT, AI, automation, advanced analytics, MES/ERP systems).

• Leverage data-driven insights to identify operational bottlenecks, optimize processes, and enhance decision-making across all Darmstadt functions.

• Drive the adoption of new technologies to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance product quality.

People Leadership & Organisational Development:

• Build, lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing, diverse, and engaged operational leadership team and workforce.

• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, customer-centricity, continuous learning, and innovation.

• Partner with Human Resources to oversee regional talent management, succession planning, and workforce development initiatives to ensure future operational capabilities.

• Own the key areas of site legal responsibility including :

• Working Time: Ensuring strict compliance with the legislative requirements, including maximum working hours and minimum rest periods.

• Anti-Discrimination: Ensuring all activities, including hiring and internal treatment, comply with the legislative requirements and foster an environment of inclusion and belonging.

• Duty of Care to Employees: Fulfilling the general duty of care as an employer representative.

Global Alignment & Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Act as a key member of the Global Operations leadership team, contributing to global strategy and best practice sharing.

• Collaborate with global and regional Operational and Functional leaders (e.g., R&D, Commercial, Product, Finance, HR, HSEQ) to ensure integrated business operations and to achieve company-wide goals.

• Represent the company's operational interests with key stakeholders, customers, and regulatory bodies.

Required Experience:

• A strong track record of progressive leadership experience in complex operational roles within a global manufacturing environment, with proven experience in a relevant leadership position (e.g., VP of Operations, Plant General Manager / Director).

• Demonstrated experience in high-tech manufacturing, ideally in industries such as automotive, aerospace, defence, advanced electronics, or medical devices, involving complex assembly, high precision, and stringent quality requirements.

• Proven track record of managing manufacturing operations, including experience with different regulatory and labour environments.

• Strong financial acumen with demonstrated success in budget control, and driving cost efficiencies.

• Deep expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies, with a history of successful implementation and measurable results.

• Experience leading digital transformation initiatives in a manufacturing context, including the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies (IoT, AI, automation, MES, ERP systems).

• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop diverse teams.

• Global mindset with experience navigating trade, customs, and regulatory complexities.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Manufacturing, Business Administration, or a related field.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic Operational Leadership: Ability to define and execute an operational vision that aligns with global strategy and drives competitive advantage.

• Operational Excellence & Execution: Deep understanding of manufacturing processes, supply chain dynamics, and service delivery, with a relentless focus on efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement.

• Digital & Technological Acumen: Strong grasp of emerging digital technologies and their application to transform manufacturing operations.

• Financial & Business Acumen: Ability to manage complex budgets, understand cost drivers, and make data-driven decisions that impact the bottom line.

• People Leadership & Development: Exceptional ability to build, inspire, empower, and develop high-performing teams across diverse cultures.

• Global & Cultural Agility: Demonstrated ability to operate effectively across different cultural contexts.

• Problem-Solving & Decision Making: Strong analytical skills to identify root causes, evaluate options, and make sound decisions under pressure.

• Communication & Influence: Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills to articulate complex operational concepts and influence stakeholders at all levels, both internally and externally.

• Customer Focus: A deep commitment to ensuring operational delivery meets customer expectations.

• Resilience & Adaptability: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and often ambiguous and complex, ever changing high-tech environment.

We Offer

At HBK, we believe in freedom with responsibility, enabling a healthy work-life balance and continuous professional development. You will join an international team in an innovative and enjoyable working environment.

About HBK

On January 1, 2019, Brüel & Kjær and HBM merged to form HBK (Hottinger Brüel & Kjær). With over 3,500 employees worldwide, production facilities in Denmark, Germany, the UK, the USA, China, and Portugal, and a presence in 80 countries, HBK is a global leader in test and measurement solutions. Learn more at https://www.hbkworld.com.