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Director of Operations - Buffalo, NY (on-site)

API Heat Transfer
Buffalo, NY
As a global leader in the design and manufacture of a wide range of specialty heat exchangers and heat transfer solutions, API Heat Transfer has a legacy of industry-leading performance that can be traced back more than 140 years. Throughout our history, we’ve built a corporate culture based on reliability and superior performance - from our innovative technologies to the people behind them. Experience has taught us that design and engineering expertise, supported by professionals who have a passion for their work, can bring about only one result: the ability to provide the right solutions for our customers.

COMPANY OVERVIEW:

Founded in 1947, API Heat Transfer Inc. is a global leader in the design and manufacture of a wide range of specialty heat exchangers and heat transfer solutions. Serving virtually every industrial market, API Heat Transfer employs more than 1,600 people worldwide and operates seven facilities across the US, China, and Germany. As a highly diversified business in a proven legacy industry, the company sells its products in several key markets, including construction and specialty vehicles, power generation cooling, sanitary systems, and compressors and dryers. Their esteemed customers include Caterpillar, Ingersoll-Rand, Bobcat (Doosan), Cummins, and Atlas Copco, among many others. API Heat Transfer's products are sold directly to OEMs and through distribution channels.

API Heat Transfer is backed by Littlejohn & Co., who are known for investing in the company and its people, driving value through growth and operational excellence.

At API we take our culture transformation seriously! To help find the best fit for our positions and organization, we ask that you complete our 10 minute Culture Index Survey. Simply follow the link after submitting your application to help us use our interview time to dive deeper into your job behaviors and work history.

POSITION FUNCTION:

In this highly visible role, the Director of Operations will lead and improve the operations for the Basco and Schmidt product lines out of Buffalo, NY. This individual will help shape the strategic vision for operations. Key focus areas include leading a mix of engineered to order and standard product manufacturing, developing and executing a Manufacturing Scale-Up plan, achieving financial performance targets, driving productivity and lean, developing workforce capabilities, and supporting the Value Creation Strategy that outlines the vision for the next three years.

As the business has grown and evolved, so has the API Heat Transfer organizational platform. Its product lineup meets the needs of virtually every industrial market. API Heat Transfer operates as a decentralized business, delivering excellence in product and service for its diverse customer base. The market-focused sites drive solutions for Engine Cooling, Industrial, and Thermal Transfer Products, with four sites in the US, one in Germany, and two in China. This executive will manage the Buffalo, NY location with oversight for a satellite site in Arcade, NY.

Primary Roles and Responsibilities Include:

  • Lead facility to achieve financial goals and KPI targets, collaborating closely with VP/GM on budgets and production requirements.
  • Cultivate a strong EHS culture, ensuring adherence to safety regulations and maintaining clean work environments.
  • Lead union relationship including negotiations and concerns.
  • Foster an engaged, high-performance culture aligned with company values through coaching, mentoring, and SMART goal setting.
  • Drive lean initiatives such as, Kaizen events and Value Stream Mapping to optimize operations, reduce waste, and improve efficiency.
  • Direct Supply Chain operations to enhance inventory management and align with Production Scheduling for efficient material flow.
  • Enhance Customer Service standards to support sales with competitive cost structures and reliable lead times.
  • Utilize data-driven insights to improve operational performance, profitability, and decision-making processes.
  • Collaborate with VP/GM and Buffalo Leadership Team on strategic initiatives to ensure company-wide success and alignment with corporate objectives.

Critical Success Factors:

  • Ability to grow the business profitably, including ability to enhance the sales organization for increased performance, identify market opportunities, develop the channel, and create new products.
  • Support and promote Lean or other performance optimization initiatives.
  • Ensure and measure improvements made in the efficiency of manpower, materials, and machines.
  • Strong communicator, collaborator, and organizer across all levels of API.
  • Ensure customer expectations are met or exceeded in delivery or cost. Liaison with the customer wherever necessary to ensure the customer is supported, and travel to the customer when required.
  • Continuously stay abreast of new developments in the industry, and interchange knowledge with other members of the organization.
  • Fosters and champions team spirit amongst plant and non-plant personnel, encouraging input and participation. Participates in and contributes enthusiastically towards the creation and growth of a spirit of openness, trust and respect throughout the entire organization.
  • Ensure that appropriate training, coaching, and discipline are given to ensure high performance of tasks to meet scheduled requirements.
  • Collaborate with peers at the corporate level to bring expertise to the site, maximize performance, and contribute to API value overall.

INTERFACES WITH:

Reporting directly to the Vice President & General Manager, the Director of Operations will oversee key operational functions in Buffalo, NY. This role directly manages the Production Manager, Production Scheduling Manager, Quality Manager, Sr. Project Manager, Continuous Improvement Manager (incl Manufacturing Engineering), Supply Chain Manager, and EH&S Manager. The total operations team consists of approximately 100 people. Additionally, the Director of Operations will collaborate extensively with other leadership team members, including the heads of Sales, Engineering, Finance, Product Management, Corporate R&D and Human Resources.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

The ideal Director of Operations candidate will have a mix of commercial, engineering, and operational experiences. They will have a hands-on understanding of market dynamics, performance metrics, and priorities that will be a decided benefit in setting the GTM strategies in this changing market.

Qualified candidates will be recognized for their highly collaborative managerial style coupled with a natural curiosity and inquisitiveness. The successful candidate must be comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast-paced, and multi-channel environments where product mix are constantly evolving. Our candidate will be recognized for their agile approach that is transparent and open, which will allow him/her to adapt to the rapidly changing competitive landscape.

  • Industrial Operations Experience: The ideal candidate will have 10 years in Engineered-to-Order or heavy equipment manufacturing, including 5+ years in a manager position. Must have expertise in metal-based product manufacturing, including welding, metal forming, assembly, and final inspection testing.
  • Leadership Experience: Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams in manufacturing, supply chain, and quality roles, with a focus on coaching and team development within a structured organizational framework.
  • Lean Manufacturing Experience: Hands-on experience implementing Lean principles to drive continuous improvement, with oversight of Gemba Walk, Production Meetings, Control Room, and KPI review within a business operating system.
  • Analytical Aptitude: Skilled in leveraging data and reporting to assess performance and support decision-making. Capable of providing proactive solutions and recommendations to leadership.
  • Cultural Fit: Demonstrated success in change management and commitment delivery to stakeholders, maintaining high standards of accountability, trust, transparency, respect, and teamwork.
  • Impactful Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with a history of presenting monthly business updates to executive teams including CEO, CFO, and other senior leaders
  • Union Management: Demonstrates experience in managing union relationships, including negotiating, interpreting and applying collective bargaining agreements.

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

The candidate selected for this position will be a creative, out-of-the-box thinker who is intellectually curious with a demonstrated interest in learning. This person will also need to be a self-motivated, high-energy individual who can easily function in a high-demand, performance-driven environment. He/she must be accustomed to working on multiple tasks in parallel. This professional must demonstrate strong leadership skills, best demonstrated by the individual’s ability to gain credibility with team members and senior management.

The successful candidate will:

  • Be modest in nature, recognizing the accomplishments of the team before the individual
  • Be highly motivated and possess vision and enthusiasm
  • Accountable with strong integrity
  • Be comfortable acting as an individual contributor and as a team manager (Player/Coach)
  • Understand how to deliver on short time frames and be committed to meeting deadlines “no matter what”
  • Communicate in an open and honest way that quickly builds trust and respect
  • Possess an entrepreneurial spirit
  • Be comfortable on his/her feet making presentations
  • Have a bachelor’s degree in an applicable field

The compensation range for this position is $160,000 to $200,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

INDZ
Posted 2025-11-27

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