Director, Operations Network Strategy and Optimization

Position Summary

The Director, Operations Network Strategy & Optimization leads the development and execution of enterprise operations network strategies across manufacturing, distribution, and related operational nodes. This position evaluates footprint, capacity, competency, cost, service, risk, and capital scenarios to recommend and implement network changes that support Customer service, growth, productivity, resilience, and long-term business performance. The role partners with Business Unit leadership, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance, Quality, Regulatory, IT, and PMO stakeholders to build decision frameworks, business cases, governance routines, and execution roadmaps for complex network optimization initiatives. The incumbent serves as a strategic advisor and execution leader for site consolidations, expansions, greenfield and brownfield developments, acquisitions, product and process transfers, and distribution network redesign while maintaining business continuity and operational excellence.

This position can be remote; however, preferred location is the Greater Cleveland area. There will be 35-40 % Domestic & International Travel Required.

What You’ll do as a Director, Operations Network Strategy & Optimization

• Builds and maintains the enterprise operations network strategy and multi-year roadmap, including footprint, capacity, competency, service, cost, and risk optimization.
• Leads network design and footprint optimization initiatives, including site consolidations, expansions, greenfield/brownfield developments, product transfers, center-of-excellence models, and distribution network redesign.
• Develops scenario models, business cases, capital recommendations, and executive decision materials that evaluate cost-to-serve, capacity, service level, complexity, business continuity, and risk tradeoffs.
• Partners with Business Unit, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Regulatory, Finance, IT, and PMO leaders to translate approved strategies into executable project charters, governance plans, and implementation roadmaps.
• Oversees execution readiness for major network projects by aligning scope, schedule, budget, resource plans, risk mitigation, transition plans, and value realization metrics.
• Establishes and continuously improves network optimization standards, decision frameworks, data requirements, modeling methodologies, templates, and governance routines across the enterprise.
• Monitors implementation performance, value capture, customer impact, operational risk, and business continuity; leads corrective actions when plans deviate from approved objectives.
• Champions a culture of operational excellence, Lean thinking, disciplined project execution, innovation, and change management across cross-functional teams.
• Develops, coaches, and influences team members and cross-functional partners to build network strategy, analytics, project execution, and operational transformation capability.
• Facilitates executive-level communications and stakeholder engagement, including recommendations, status updates, risk escalation, and alignment across business networks.

The Experience, Skills, and Abilities Needed

Required

• 10+ years leading operations, manufacturing, distribution, supply chain, engineering, or network optimization; 5+ years leading enterprise-scale transformation or footprint projects.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing manufacturing and/or distribution footprint strategies across a multi-site network.
• Experience building business cases, capital plans, ROI/payback analysis, and executive recommendations for complex operational initiatives.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional project execution across Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance, Quality, Regulatory, IT, and PMO teams.
• Demonstrated success translating network strategy into measurable cost, service, capacity, productivity, risk mitigation, or asset utilization improvements.
• Strategic network design, footprint optimization, capacity planning, scenario modeling, and business case development.
• Financial acumen, analytical problem solving, critical thinking, and ability to simplify complex tradeoffs for executive decisions.
• Executive-level communication, presentation, stakeholder management, influencing, and facilitation skills.
• Leadership across cross-functional teams with ability to coach, mentor, develop talent, and drive accountability without direct authority.
• Lean/continuous improvement mindset with ability to standardize processes, implement governance, and sustain operational excellence.