Job Overview

Director, Operations Strategy & Transformation

The Director, Operations Strategy & Transformation is responsible for developing and executing the long-term operations strategy, manufacturing footprint, and transformation agenda across DDN Global Operations. This role serves as a strategic partner to the VP Operations, translating business priorities into actionable programs that improve competitiveness, profitability, productivity, scalability, and operational effectiveness.

The successful candidate will collaborate closely with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Finance, HR, Commercial, and Business Unit leaders to drive strategic initiatives and deliver measurable business results across a global manufacturing network.

Job Requirements

Operations Strategy & Governance

• Develop and refresh the multi-year Operations Strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Translate strategy into roadmaps, annual priorities, KPIs, and execution plans.
• Lead strategic planning workshops and executive reviews.
• Establish governance mechanisms, scorecards, dashboards, and performance reviews.

Manufacturing Footprint & Network Strategy

• Develop and maintain the global manufacturing footprint strategy.
• Lead network optimization initiatives, including expansions, consolidations, transfers, capacity planning, and site evaluations.
• Support make-versus-buy assessments and strategic sourcing decisions.
• Create scalable playbooks for network growth and operational expansion.

Business Transformation

• Lead transformation programs focused on productivity, cost competitiveness, operational excellence, agility, and customer responsiveness.
• Drive change management and standardization across global operations.
• Ensure strategic initiatives deliver measurable and sustainable business value.

Strategic Portfolio & Capital Management

• Govern the Operations Strategic Initiative Portfolio.
• Prioritize investments based on business impact, ROI, risk, and resource requirements.
• Partner with Finance and Operations to evaluate business cases, capital investments, and long-range planning priorities.

Production Ramp-Up & Launch Excellence

• Support capacity expansion and output optimization across the network.
• Develop production ramp-up strategies covering labor, equipment, materials, suppliers, logistics, and quality readiness.
• Lead launch governance, readiness reviews, milestone management, and escalation processes.

Executive Partnership & Special Projects

• Act as a trusted advisor to the VP Operations, providing analysis, recommendations, and decision-support materials.
• Lead high-priority strategic initiatives including footprint expansion, operational transformation, digitalization, AI adoption, and organizational effectiveness programs.
• Facilitate alignment across global stakeholders and proactively identify emerging risks and opportunities.

What your background should look like

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Business, or related field; MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, operations, supply chain, or industrial environments.
• Proven experience developing and executing operations strategy and enterprise transformation initiatives.
• Strong background in manufacturing footprint optimization, network design, and capital investment planning.
• Demonstrated financial acumen, including business case development and investment analysis.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and drive results in complex global organizations.

Core Competencies

• Strategic and systems thinking
• Operations strategy and manufacturing footprint optimization
• Business transformation and change leadership
• Portfolio management and KPI governance
• Financial analysis and scenario planning
• Executive communication and stakeholder management
• Cross-functional leadership and collaboration
• Data-driven decision making and results orientation

Success Measures

• Successful deployment of Operations Strategy and strategic initiatives.
• Measurable improvements in productivity, cost, quality, and operational performance.
• Effective execution of footprint expansions, transfers, and operational launches.
• Improved capacity utilization, capital efficiency, and return on investment.
• Strong portfolio governance, stakeholder alignment, and benefits realization.
• Achievement of TAM growth objectives within the Cable business.