Hearth & Home Technologies is looking for a Director of Manufacturing to join our Stoves Business Unit in Halifax, PA. We are the nation’s leading manufacturer and supplier of hearth products, including a wide variety of gas, electric, wood and pellet burning fireplaces, inserts, stoves, and accessories. Headquartered in Lakeville, Minnesota, with distribution around the world, our innovative approach is supported by a business unit structure that allows us to develop and market products with a strong focus on customers’ needs. Since 1996, we’ve been dedicated to connecting people through the warmth and comfort of our hearth products.
As one of our four core business units, the Stoves Business Unit brings together top brands such as Harman, Vermont Castings, and Quadra-Fire, now united under one as Forge & Flame, alongside other stove brands. This unit focuses on delivering high-quality, reliable stove solutions, including wood, pellet, and gas models.
The Director, Manufacturing is responsible for leading all aspects of safety, quality, delivery, and cost at the USA based manufacturing sites which include a foundry operation in Vermont and a manufacturing facility in Halifax, PA. The manufacturing organization has best-in-class lean manufacturing capabilities, thanks to highly skilled and trained members. Ongoing investments in modernizing equipment and processes highlight the company’s commitment to maintaining best-in-class manufacturing capabilities.
Key Responsibilities:
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Lead with Accountability and Empowerment: Establish clear expectations, champion operational discipline, and foster a high-performance culture where every team member is accountable and empowered to excel.
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Lead Transformational Change Initiatives: Drive strategic change across multiple manufacturing locations including the redesign and optimization of plant layouts to enhance workflow, increase efficiency, and support scalable growth.
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Own and Drive Manufacturing Excellence: Ensure operations demand and material planning are aligned to achieve production KPIs through strategic oversight and hands-on leadership to achieve industry leading customer to lead time promise rate.
- Drive Continuous Process Innovation: Proactively identify and deploy the right talent, structures, systems, and technology to sustain competitive advantage through agile and efficient manufacturing operations.
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Optimize Budget and Operations: Take charge of budget planning and resource allocation to maximize manufacturing efficiency. Leverage cutting-edge technology and modern leadership practices to streamline processes and boost productivity.
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Set Bold Vision and Strategy: Develop and clearly communicate an inspiring vision and actionable strategic plans. Motivate and align your teams to confidently execute breakthrough initiatives that accelerate growth and operational success.
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Foster Transparent Communication: Promote open, proactive communication channels across all levels of the organization to ensure alignment, trust, and collaboration.
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Cultivate a World-Class Manufacturing Environment: Inspire a flexible and resilient manufacturing organization committed to continuous improvement, operational agility, exceptional quality, that exceeds customer expectations.
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Champion Lean and Cost-Effective Excellence: Lead cost-reduction strategies without compromising quality or delivery. Embed standardized, data-driven practices that elevate production consistency and customer satisfaction.
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Develop and Mentor Future Leaders: Invest in your team’s growth by mentoring leadership and technical skills, ensuring personal development plans are executed and potential is fully realized.
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Instill a Culture of Smart Risk-Taking and Engagement: Encourage innovation and calculated risk-taking within a supportive environment that values employee engagement, growth, and achievement of high-impact results.
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Steer Brand Integration and Alignment: Champion the seamless adoption of the new brand umbrella within manufacturing operations, ensuring brand values and quality standards are deeply embedded in every process and team interaction.
Education & Experience:
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Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Business Administration, or a related field; preferred.
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Minimum 10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
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Lean certifications or proficiency in methodologies such as 6S, A3, continuous improvement, and value stream mapping.
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Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).