Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for an Industrialist / Head of Industrial Operations

🎯 Role Definition

As a transformative Industrialist and leader of our operational core, you will be the principal architect and driver of our entire manufacturing and industrial landscape. This executive position demands a strategic visionary with a deep-rooted, hands-on understanding of modern industrial operations. You will be responsible for translating high-level corporate objectives into tangible operational excellence, ensuring that our production capabilities are not only efficient and cost-effective but also a key driver of competitive advantage. You will lead multiple facilities and a large, diverse workforce, championing a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement while holding full P&L accountability for the operational heart of the business.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Director of Operations / Plant Director
Vice President of Manufacturing
Senior Engineering or Production Manager

Advancement To:

Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Board Member / Executive Chairman

Lateral Moves:

Chief Supply Chain Officer (CSCO)
Chief Strategy Officer (CSO)
Managing Partner (Private Equity - Industrial Sector)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Spearhead full P&L accountability for all manufacturing operations, developing and executing annual budgets, managing capital expenditures (CapEx), and driving profitability through rigorous cost control and efficiency initiatives.
Develop and implement a multi-year industrial strategy that aligns with corporate growth objectives, focusing on capacity planning, technology adoption (Industry 4.0), and global footprint optimization.
Direct and orchestrate all day-to-day industrial activities, including production planning, manufacturing, quality assurance, maintenance, and logistics to ensure production targets are met on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
Champion a world-class safety culture across all facilities, implementing and enforcing rigorous EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety) policies and programs to achieve zero-incident goals and ensure full regulatory compliance.
Lead the implementation and maturation of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies to systematically eliminate waste, enhance productivity, and increase operational efficiency.
Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing senior operations leadership team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, empowerment, and continuous professional development.
Oversee the entire lifecycle of major capital investment projects, from initial business case development and ROI analysis to project execution, commissioning, and post-implementation review.
Direct the end-to-end supply chain and logistics strategy, including strategic sourcing, procurement, inventory management (SIOP), and distribution to ensure material availability while minimizing working capital.
Uphold and advance the highest standards of product quality by overseeing the Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring adherence to standards like ISO 9001, and driving a "right first time" philosophy.
Drive the digital transformation of the factory floor, evaluating and integrating industrial automation, robotics, IoT, and data analytics to create 'smart factories'.
Manage and negotiate key contracts and relationships with suppliers, third-party logistics providers (3PLs), and equipment vendors to secure favorable terms and ensure reliable partnership.
Formulate and execute robust business continuity and disaster recovery plans for all critical manufacturing operations to mitigate risk and ensure operational resilience.
Lead labor relations strategies and negotiations (where applicable), fostering a positive and productive relationship between management and the workforce.
Analyze key operational performance indicators (KPIs) such as OEE, FPY, and On-Time Delivery, using data-driven insights to inform strategic decisions and corrective actions.
Steer the New Product Introduction (NPI) process from an operational perspective, ensuring manufacturability and a seamless transition from R&D to full-scale production.

Secondary Functions

Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, providing critical operational insights to inform overall corporate strategy and long-range planning.
Foster strong cross-functional collaboration with Sales, Marketing, Finance, and R&D to ensure alignment and cohesive execution of business goals.
Represent the company at industry conferences, with key customers, and to regulatory bodies to enhance the company's reputation as an industrial leader.
Conduct regular site visits and operational reviews to maintain a deep understanding of shop-floor realities and to visibly lead and engage the workforce.
Champion sustainability initiatives within operations, focusing on reducing energy consumption, minimizing waste, and implementing green manufacturing practices.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

P&L Management: Deep expertise in managing multi-million dollar operational budgets, controlling costs, and driving profitability for large-scale manufacturing divisions.
Lean Manufacturing & Six Sigma: Master-level proficiency in applying continuous improvement tools and methodologies (e.g., Kaizen, 5S, VSM, DMAIC) to drive efficiency.
Supply Chain & Operations Planning (S&OP): Advanced knowledge of strategic sourcing, inventory management, logistics, and integrated business planning.
Capital Project Management: Proven ability to manage large-scale capital expenditure (CapEx) projects from conception to completion, on time and within budget.
ERP Systems: High proficiency with enterprise resource planning systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics) for manufacturing and supply chain modules.
Quality Management Systems (QMS): In-depth understanding and experience with quality standards and frameworks such as ISO 9001, TS 16949, or similar.
Industrial Automation & Industry 4.0: Strong familiarity with modern manufacturing technologies including robotics, IoT, MES, and data analytics.
EHS Regulations: Comprehensive knowledge of workplace safety and environmental regulations (e.g., OSHA, EPA).

Soft Skills

Strategic Leadership: The ability to set a clear vision, inspire a large organization, and make decisive, high-stakes decisions.
Financial Acumen: A strong commercial and financial mindset, with the ability to interpret financial data and link operational performance to financial results.
Change Management: Skill in leading organizational transformation, overcoming resistance, and successfully embedding new processes and cultures.
Negotiation & Influence: Superior ability to negotiate with suppliers, unions, and internal stakeholders to achieve optimal outcomes.
Complex Problem-Solving: Adept at analyzing complex, multifaceted operational challenges and developing effective, scalable solutions.
Executive Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to the Board, investors, and employees.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree in an engineering or business-related discipline.

Preferred Education:

Master of Business Administration (MBA) with an emphasis on Operations or Finance.
Master's Degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related technical field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Industrial Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Business Administration
Operations Management
Supply Chain Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 15-20+ years of progressive leadership experience in a complex industrial or manufacturing environment.

Preferred: A minimum of 10 years of experience in a senior leadership capacity (e.g., Plant Director, VP of Operations) with a proven track record of managing multi-site operations and holding full P&L responsibility. Demonstrable success in leading significant operational transformations and driving measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.