Sr. Director Operations

Since 1892, OPW customers have been able to count on us to revolutionize fluid-handling operations around the world. As a global leader in fluid-handling solutions, the mission of OPW is to be a developer of a comprehensive array of innovative fluid-handling solutions that our customers can consistently and reliably count on. These include loading and unloading systems for high-value hazardous and non-hazardous bulk products; railcar and transport tank-truck valves, gauging devices and tank-monitoring systems; automated storage-terminal controls and systems; and regulators, fittings, valves, vaporizers, vacuum-jacketed piping and gas-handling systems for the safe handling and distribution of cryogenics and industrial gases. OPW has more than 2,000 employees with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe and China, and sales offices around the world. OPW is part of the Clean Energy & Fueling segment of Dover (NYSE: DOV).
Position Summary
The Senior Director of Operations for OPW Clean Energy Solutions (CES) provides enterprise-level leadership for the manufacturing and operations network, ensuring alignment with Dover’s Operating Model and Operational Excellence (OpEx) framework. This leader is accountable for establishing disciplined operating systems that deliver sustained performance across safety, quality, delivery, and cost while building scalable capabilities to support long-term growth. Operating within Dover’s governance structure, the Senior Director will deploy policy, standard work, and performance management processes that reinforce accountability, enable transparency, and accelerate decision-making. This role ensures consistent execution of daily management and tiered accountability while advancing a culture rooted in continuous improvement, problem solving, and leader standard work. Reporting to the VP/GM, Clean Energy Solutions, this role is a critical member of the business leadership team responsible for translating strategy into operational execution across the CES manufacturing footprint.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the CES operations network using Dover’s Operating Model, ensuring disciplined execution through Daily Management Systems (DMS), leader standard work, and tiered accountability.
Establish clear operating rhythms, performance reviews, and governance mechanisms that enable rapid escalation, root-cause problem solving, and sustainable countermeasures.
Drive operational alignment across sites, reinforcing consistency in processes, metrics, and management expectations.
Drive operational flow through the methodical deployment of Lean Tools, including, but not limited to: Daily Management, 5S, SMED, VSM, 3P, and PFEP.
Champion Dover Operational Excellence by strengthening value stream management, standard work, visual management, and structured problem-solving.
Advance organizational maturity through policy deployment, ensuring strategic priorities cascade into measurable operational objectives.
Develop a pipeline of productivity improvements that expand margins, improve flow, and reduce variability.
Ensure enterprise adherence to Dover Environmental, Health & Safety standards while embedding safety into leader standard work and daily operating routines.
Promote a prevention-based safety culture supported by disciplined audits, risk identification, and corrective action processes.
Lead enterprise capacity planning, footprint strategy, and capital deployment to optimize the manufacturing network.
Evaluate automation, digitization, and advanced manufacturing opportunities that enhance throughput and labor productivity.
Support integration of acquisitions through standardized operating practices, systems alignment, and governance structures.
Partner with Engineering and Product Management to ensure value streams are structured for flow, manufacturability, and lifecycle support.
Implement repeatable operational readiness frameworks for new product introductions, reducing launch risk and accelerating time-to-market.
Collaborate with Supply Chain leadership to strengthen Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP), supplier performance management, and material flow.
Drive improvements in inventory turns, lead time, and overall working capital through structured planning and PFEP-based strategies.
Ensure operational processes support industry-leading on-time delivery, quality performance, and responsiveness.
Align order management, technical support, and aftermarket operations within the value stream to create a frictionless customer experience.
Own operational financial performance, including productivity, conversion cost, capital efficiency, and budget adherence.
Establish governance routines that connect operational metrics to financial outcomes, reinforcing data-driven leadership behaviors.
Build enterprise operations capability through leadership development, succession planning, and capability assessments.
Embed a culture of accountability where expectations are clear, performance is visible, and leaders actively develop their teams.
Model Dover values through transparent communication, principled leadership, and disciplined execution.
Qualifications and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in industrial management, applied engineering, business, or related discipline required; advanced degree preferred.
15+ years of progressive manufacturing and operations leadership experience, including multi-site responsibility.
Demonstrated success deploying structured operating systems such as Daily Management, policy deployment, and Lean transformation.
Proven ability to lead complex value streams and high-mix manufacturing environments.
Strong financial acumen with experience translating operational improvements into measurable financial performance.
Experience leading transformation, integration, or network optimization initiatives strongly preferred.
ERP-enabled leadership experience required (Infor XA or similar platforms).
Key Competencies
Operating System Leadership. Establishes structured, repeatable management systems that create stability, visibility, and accountability. Drives disciplined execution while ensuring alignment between enterprise strategy and site-level performance.
Strategic Execution. Effectively translates strategy into operational priorities using policy deployment and performance governance. Maintains focus on both near-term results and long-term capability building.
Continuous Improvement Mindset. Promotes a zero-loss mentality by challenging waste, reducing variation, and strengthening process discipline. Develops teams that solve problems at the root cause and sustain improvements.
Enterprise Collaboration. Operates horizontally across the organization, breaking down silos and aligning functions against shared outcomes. Builds strong partnerships that accelerate decision-making and execution.
Talent System Builder. Creates depth in the leadership bench by actively coachin