THE OPPORTUNITY 

• Are you excited by the opportunity to build and lead a world-class manufacturing organization positioned for significant growth?
• Do you enjoy balancing strategy and execution while leading all aspects of manufacturing operations in a hands-on environment?
• Are you energized by the opportunity to improve throughput, scalability, quality, and operational performance while developing people and systems?

ABOUT THE COMPANY

C & S Machine & Manufacturing Corporation is a family-owned contract manufacturer headquartered in La Grange, Kentucky. The company was founded in 1969 by Robert R. Steele and Ronnie Cook in a small garage in Louisville and has grown over the last 50+ years into a manufacturing partner serving OEM and industrial customers.

Today, C & S specializes in production CNC machining, CNC turning, fabrication, laser welding, laser engraving, finishing, and assembly. The company supports highly technical manufacturing needs across industries including aerospace, defense, firearms, OEM manufacturing, and industrial manufacturing.

As the company continues to expand in La Grange, C & S is seeking a Director of Operations to help strengthen manufacturing execution, build scalable systems, improve throughput and delivery performance, and support the company’s next stage of growth.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

Reporting directly to the President, the Director of Operations will lead all manufacturing operations and play a key role in driving the next phase of growth for the organization. This individual will oversee machining, assembly, scheduling, engineering, purchasing, inventory, maintenance, shipping and receiving while developing systems and leadership capabilities that support long-term scalability.

The Director of Operations will focus on driving operational performance through improved throughput, labor efficiency, machine utilization, inventory management, quality, and on-time delivery. This role will also lead workforce planning, automation initiatives, capital investments, Lean Manufacturing efforts, and KPI accountability systems designed to improve performance without proportional increases in overhead.

Success in this role will require a highly visible, hands-on leader who can balance strategic planning with day-to-day execution while fostering a culture centered around:

• Accountability
• Ownership
• Continuous Improvement
• Teamwork
• Operational Excellence

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead all manufacturing operations including production, engineering, scheduling, supply chain, maintenance, and inventory.
• Drive operational performance through improved production visibility, visual management, Kanban systems, and effective management of complex BOM structures while improving throughput, labor efficiency, inventory performance, on-time delivery, profitability, and overall operational scalability.
• Lead capacity planning, workforce development, automation, and capital investment initiatives.
• Establish KPI accountability systems and improve operational visibility across departments.
• Build and develop teams and leaders across Production, Engineering, Maintenance, Scheduling, and Supply Chain.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and 5S initiatives.
• Operate within an ISO 9001 and AS9100 compliance, quality systems, and operational standards.
• Partner with leadership to support long-term growth initiatives and operational strategy.

IDEAL CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations, or equivalent experience preferred
• 5–6+ years of manufacturing leadership experience with preference for machining, engineered products, or precision manufacturing environments
• Experience leading teams of 50+ employees across multiple functions
• Proven success improving throughput, labor efficiency, OTD, margin, inventory planning, and operational performance
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and KPI accountability systems
• Financial acumen with experience managing operational budgets and performance metrics
• Experience with ERP systems, automation, and manufacturing technologies preferred
• Understanding of ISO 9001 or AS9100 environments preferred

OUR COMMITMENT TO CANDIDATES

Gilman Partners is committed to strengthening leadership teams and elevating talent in our communities—and that means all qualified applicants will receive consideration. You do not have to meet every qualification in this job description to apply. If you’re drawn to the position and believe your experience makes you a good fit, we encourage you to apply.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

This role is highly visible and hands-on in nature and requires a leader comfortable being on the plant floor, developing people, driving accountability, and building systems that support future growth. Occasional off-hours and weekend support may be required based on customer and production demands.