Director of Operations

Job Details: Level: Management, Job Location: Dayton Office - Dayton, MN, Education Level: 4 Year Degree, Salary Range: $175000.00 - $225000.00Salary/year, Gradian is an engineering-led, full-line thermal solutions partner serving data center and other mission-critical, commercial, and industrial markets. Headquartered in Maple Grove, MN, with additional facilities across North America, we design and manufacture liquid cooling systems, air handling equipment, heat rejection units, and modular, factory-assembled thermal management solutions.

Gradian was founded through the unification of four complementary, established brands: MAS HVAC, Daedex, DeepCoolAI, and EcoChillers. Together, we act as a single-source provider, deploying cooling technologies as scalable systems optimized for efficiency, spatial constraints, and overall performance. With a vertically integrated engineering and manufacturing model, we pair rapid design turnaround with precision fabrication, so customers can move faster on complex projects where reliability, timeline, and quality all matter.

Why work here

At Gradian, you'll work alongside others who get genuinely fired up by complex problems, see your work go from first sketch to job site in weeks, not years, and know that while we're developing the technologies critical for AI infrastructure to scale, our culture remains people-first by design.

It is core to our identity that we operate as one team — driving to win together, energizing others, and building lasting relationships that make the work fun and rewarding.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a highly driven and experienced Operations Director to lead the successful launch of a greenfield manufacturing site while simultaneously driving the transformation and scaling of the existing operation. This role is critical to delivering a safe, on-time startup, building a high-performing team, and executing a rapid growth and capacity expansion strategy.

The ideal candidate combines startup expertise, operational excellence, and transformation leadership, with a strong focus on SQDCC (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Cash) performance. This leader will play a pivotal role in building systems, culture, and processes to support sustainable growth and continuous improvement across both new and legacy operations.

Key Responsibilities:

Greenfield Site Startup

Lead the end-to-end startup of a new manufacturing facility, ensuring on-time commissioning and ramp-up.
Develop and execute detailed startup plans, including equipment installation, validation, and operational readiness.
Implement and establish standard operating procedures (SOPs), workflows, and performance management systems from the ground up.
Ensure full compliance with safety, regulatory, and quality standards prior to and during launch.

Transformation of Existing Operations

Assess and transform a previously privately held operation into a scalable, process-driven manufacturing environment.
Standardize processes, improve operational discipline, and drive alignment with corporate performance expectations.
Identify and implement improvements in efficiency, quality, cost management, and delivery performance.

SQDCC Performance Leadership

Own and deliver performance across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Cash metrics.
Establish visual management systems, KPIs, and daily management routines.
Drive a zero-harm safety culture and embed quality at the source principles.
Ensure on-time delivery through effective planning, scheduling, and execution.

Team Building & Organizational Development

Recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing operations team, including supervisors, engineers, and frontline employees.
Build organizational capability through training, coaching, and leadership development.
Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.

Capacity Ramps & Growth Execution

Plan and execute aggressive capacity ramp-ups to meet business growth targets.
Optimize resource allocation, production planning, and workforce scaling.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality) to enable seamless growth.

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

Champion Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives (e.g., Kaizen, Six Sigma, 5S).
Drive waste reduction, productivity gains, and process optimization.
Implement best practices and ensure sustainability of improvements.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Required:

15+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing or operations, with at least 5+ years in a senior leadership role.
Proven track record of greenfield site startup or major operational launches.
Experience transforming or integrating legacy or privately held operations into structured environments.
Demonstrated success in fast-paced, high-growth environments.
Strong expertise in Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
Deep knowledge of SQDCC performance management systems.
Exceptional leadership, team-building, and change management capabilities.
Strong problem-solving skills with a data-driven mindset.
Ability to manage complexity, ambiguity, and competing priorities.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field (MBA preferred).

Key Success Metrics

On-time and successful launch of greenfield facility.
Achievement and sustainability of SQDCC targets.
Effective ramp-up of production capacity to meet growth plans.
Measurable improvements in operational efficiency and cost performance.
Development of a high-performing, engaged operations team.

Benefits:

Medical, vision, and dental plans
Short-term and long-term disability insurance
Group term life insurance coverage
HSA, FSA, and Dependent Care plans available
8 paid holidays, 4 floating holidays, and generous PTO policy
401k matching
Company paid events
Annual safety shoe allowance
Education assistance program

EEO Statement:

Gradian Thermal Solutions is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other legally protected status.

Employment decisions at Gradian are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind and actively promote a culture of fairness, equity, and opportunity.

We also provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances, in accordance with applicable laws.
Qualifications: