Multi-Site Operations Director

Pacific International Executive Search has been exclusively retained to assist our client, an innovative market leader with +20,000 employees, the company values customer orientation, integrity, and sustainability, and is recognized as one of the most sustainable companies in the world. Known for unique products comprising 60% exclusivity, it serves over 35,000 customers in manufacturing.

We are seeking an accomplished Operations Director to lead the end-to-end delivery of customer orders for a capital-equipment business. The role covers order intake, design engineering, procurement, manufacturing, assembly, factory acceptance testing, shipment, installation, commissioning and final site acceptance. This senior leader will oversee a substantial cross-functional workforce across multiple sites. The mandate combines reliable delivery, margin protection, operational improvement and visible leadership in a complex engineer-to-order environment. The successful candidate will turn broader business strategy into practical action, provide stability during change and build confidence among frontline teams and senior stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own the end-to-end delivery of customer orders, from order intake through design engineering, procurement, manufacturing, assembly, factory acceptance testing, shipment, installation, commissioning and final site acceptance.
• Lead a substantial cross-functional workforce across project engineering, supply chain, purchasing, manufacturing, assembly/workshop and field execution at multiple operating sites.
• Take ownership of operational measures, including on-time delivery, lead time, cost, quality, inventory and margin, and implement timely corrective action when performance falls short.
• Turn group and divisional strategy into practical local action, maintaining stability while leading change initiatives, pilot programmes, systems implementations, and improvements to procurement and project management.
• Oversee capacity planning, resource allocation and make-or-buy decisions, coordinating external partners where this improves profitability or delivery.
• Build trust with frontline teams and senior stakeholders, and communicate credibly with company leadership, group and divisional operations leaders, Sales, Project Management and Service teams.

Qualifications:

• Significant senior operations leadership experience in complex industrial machinery or capital-equipment businesses, ideally within an engineer-to-order or highly customised manufacturing environment.
• Proven ownership of the full order-to-acceptance value stream, including project/design engineering, procurement, manufacturing, assembly, shipment, installation and commissioning.
• Strong understanding of the interfaces between engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, project management and field service; able to balance custom engineering with standardisation.
• Pragmatic change leader who can create organisational stability, earn the trust and commitment of teams, and implement strategic direction with urgency and accountability.
• Strong capability in structured problem-solving, risk management and performance oversight, supported by sound commercial and financial judgement.
• Degree in Engineering, Operations or a related discipline; advanced business qualifications are advantageous but not essential.

Marie-Thérèse Meurer

About Pacific International Executive Search:

Pacific International, a globally recognized retained executive search firm, is dedicated to empowering Fortune 500, FTSE 100, and high-growth enterprises in building exceptional C-suite, senior-level, and strategic leadership teams while championing diversity and inclusion. Our adaptability, agility, and forward-thinking ethos distinguish us in the ever-evolving business landscape.

Since 1997, we have been dedicated to building lasting client partnerships based on trust and reliability, and a proven track record of successful C-suite and mid- to senior-level leadership project delivery across many key industries globally.

Diversity Statement:

At Pacific International, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of who we are and what we do. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and we proudly champion diversity on behalf of our clients in every Executive Search mandate we undertake. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. In pursuit of these objectives, we actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities.