Xylem · 21 hours ago
Operations Director
Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact. The Operations Director will lead and transform operations at the Pewaukee facility, driving a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence in a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment.
Responsibilities
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
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
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
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
Qualification
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
Benefits
Medical
Dental
Vision plans
401(k) with company contribution
Paid time off
Paid parental leave
Tuition reimbursement
Company
Xylem
Xylem is the global leader in advanced technologies, solutions and services that address the world’s biggest water challenges.
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
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