Director of Operations

Who We’re Looking For

You are a dynamic and proven leader who thrives in fast-paced, high-growth environments and you are passionate about operational excellence.

You are not only an expert in process improvements but also deeply invested in developing people, with a track record of monitoring and elevating large teams to perform at their best. You are a hands-on manager, unafraid to dive into the details, while maintaining a strategic mindset that drives the business forward. The ideal candidate is resourceful, proactive, and able to manage multiple priorities with ease, all while fostering a positive and collaborative workplace culture.

You possess a strong sense of accountability and are dedicated to building a team and infrastructure that can meet and exceed customer expectations every day.

Your Main Responsibilities

As the Director of Operations, you will be at the heart of our operational success, directly managing up to 70 employees across Production, Compounding, and Warehouse teams. This role is ideal for someone who not only excels at managing processes but is also passionate about developing people. You will focus on fostering a culture of growth and collaboration, ensuring that our team feels empowered and supported in their personal and professional development. You’ll be responsible for building the infrastructure and procedures necessary to meet daily operational demands, ensuring we exceed customer expectations every step of the way.

· Lead a Team of 70: Oversee a large, diverse team across Production, Compounding, and Warehouse operations, ensuring each team member has the resources, guidance, and support to excel in their roles.

· Focus on People Development: Create and implement development programs to help team members grow in their careers, fostering a culture of continuous learning, engagement, and mentorship.

· Operational Excellence: Establish, improve, and manage operational procedures that allow us to meet customer demands with efficiency, timeliness, and precision.

· Build & Scale Infrastructure: Develop the infrastructure needed to sustain rapid growth, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations and the ability to scale seamlessly as our business evolves.

· Drive Continuous Improvement: Use data-driven insights to refine and improve operational processes, always looking for ways to elevate performance while reducing waste and inefficiency.

· Collaborate & Align: Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with company goals, maintaining a strong focus on safety, compliance, and cost-effectiveness.

At Merit Manufacturing, you will be part of something bigger—helping to shape the future of an industry by redefining what brands expect from their manufacturing partner. If you’re driven by the challenge of managing complex systems and passionate about personal development, we want to hear from you!

Are you Qualified?

· A seasoned manager with a proven track record of leading large teams, developing talent, and driving operational excellence in a high-growth, fast-paced environment.

· A strategic leader who is just as focused on personal development as they are on process improvement—someone who leads by example and fosters a supportive, collaborative culture.

· Strong experience in managing production, warehousing, and manufacturing processes, with a focus on scaling operations and maintaining high standards.

· Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to inspire, motivate, and guide a team to achieve their best, both personally and professionally.

· A passion for continuous improvement, with the ability to make data-driven decisions that elevate both people and processes.

Education:

Degree in Operations Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or a related field required. A Master’s degree in Business or a relevant field is a plus.

Experience:

A minimum of 5 years of experience in operations management, manufacturing, or supply chain roles, preferably in a fast-paced or high-growth environment.

5+ years of proven leadership experience managing large teams with a focus on personal development, process improvement, and building positive workplace culture.

Experience in scaling operations and managing cross-functional teams.

A little About Us

Merit Manufacturing is a Contract Manufacturer in the Personal Care space.

We make products like Shampoo, Body Wash, Beard Oil, Lotions, and Laundry Detergent for nationwide brands that you’ve definitely heard of and might have even used.

In just 6 years of existence, we’ve growth dramatically each year and we’re not done yet.

We just moved into a state-of-the-art new manufacturing facility and it’s unlike anything our industry has seen. We worked hard to make this the coolest building you’ve ever worked in. Whether you’re a chemist in the lab or you’re working in the warehouse, you’ll be excited to come to work.

We are a company that truly cares about the growth and advancement of our employees. We exist to provide a safe and sustainable living for everyone who makes this company run, and we’re dedicated to that cause. Merit is a company where your voice can be heard and you can make a difference every day.

Why you Want this Job

· We reward our employees in creative and excessive ways.

· We believe people are our greatest resource.

· You can learn more and advance your career here.

· Every day is an opportunity for you to go home feeling like you did something of value.

Why you Don’t want this Job

· This isn’t a punch-in and punch-out kind of job. When you come to work we expect you to care about what you’re doing.

· Sometimes if we’re behind on production numbers, or our customers need product quickly, we run later shifts, longer shifts, or weekend shifts to get things done. We don’t always do this, but when we do, we’re looking for team players who are willing to help.

· We expect employees to keep learning and growing. If you’re here for a year, your role and responsibilities should be different based on what you’ve proven yourself capable of.

The Basics

Location: Warren, MI

Pay Rate: Negotiated based on Experience

Benefits:

· Healthcare

· Dental

· Flexible Time Off Policy

· Performance Bonus Opportunities

· Year End Bonus Opportunity

· Company events

Equality:

Merit Manufacturing is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard for race, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.