Senior Director, Cherne Global Operations

Who is Oatey?

Since 1916, Oatey has provided reliable, high-quality products for the residential and commercial plumbing industries. Our purpose is to deliver quality, build trust and improve lives.

The Oatey family of companies are Oatey, Cherne, Keeney, Quick Drain, Hercules, Dearborn, GF Thompson, William H. Harvey, Masters, Contact, Belanger, Lansas, and Durgo.

Our brands are synonymous with quality, integrity, and trust in the plumbing industry.

Position Summary:

The Senior Director, Cherne Global Operations will provide strategic leadership and oversight for Cherne (part of the Oatey family of brands) manufacturing and distribution sites in Shakopee, Minnesota and Eijsden, Netherlands. This position is responsible for ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations that meet customer requirements, deliver exceptional quality products, and maintain a strong focus on associate engagement. The role will integrate operational and engineering expertise to drive continuous improvement, innovation, and scalability across global facilities, aligning with Oatey’s long-term growth strategies.

Primary Responsibilities:

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure the well-being and safety of all associates across all sites.

• Maintain all safety requirements and compliance programs, including behavior safety observations, incident reporting, and corrective actions.

Management and Leadership

• Direct two Cherne manufacturing and distribution operations.

• Provide leadership for the Engineering and Operations functions, ensuring alignment between product design, manufacturing processes, operational performance, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Drive safe, efficient, and timely execution of all manufacturing and engineering processes.

• Ensure processes, standards, and procedures are followed to deliver world-class quality products.

• Provide technical and engineering oversight to optimize manufacturing performance and scalability.

• Partner with Engineering, R&D, and New Product Development to integrate engineering solutions into new and improved product development.

• Lead capital investment planning and engineering-driven initiatives to support innovation and growth.

• Ensure compliance with applicable government regulations and company policies across all operations.

Strategic Planning & Financial Management

• Develop and manage operating budgets for multi-site operations.

• Lead 5-year strategic planning, aligning operations and engineering strategies with corporate goals and global opportunities.

• Drive productivity improvements, cost savings, and margin enhancement initiatives.

Continuous Improvement

• Champion Lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies across international operations.

• Develop and implement standardized best practices to strengthen safety, quality, productivity, and customer service.

People & Culture

• Provide empathetic leadership, developing and mentoring diverse cross-functional teams across multiple geographies.

• Drive engagement, retention, and succession planning initiatives aligned to company strategy.

• Promote collaboration and knowledge-sharing across Oatey’s global network of manufacturing and distribution sites.

Knowledge and Experience:

• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience managing multi-site and international operations with strong engineering exposure.

• 5+ years of management/supervisory experience.

• Proven track record of leadership in environments with complex manufacturing processes (robotic, rubber, chemicals, metals).

• Deep knowledge of engineering best practices, manufacturing systems, Lean techniques, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement.

• Strong knowledge of quality systems and global regulatory compliance requirements.

• Demonstrated business and financial acumen with the ability to manage complex budgets and deliver strategic results.

• Effective interpersonal skills with the ability to lead diverse, cross-cultural teams and resolve conflicts with integrity.

• Proficiency in leading site ERP systems implementations (SAP preferred) and advanced PC skills, including Microsoft Office Suite.

• Certified Lean and Six Sigma Black Belt (preferred).

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 30%.

Education and Certification:

• Four-year degree in Engineering (highly preferred) or equivalent years of relevant operational leadership experience required.

• Advanced degree (MBA or MS in Engineering/Operations) strongly preferred.

Compensation Range for the Position

Offer amount determined by experience and review of internal talent.

At Oatey we are committed to help our Associates grow their career. Apply today and grow with Oatey!

Why Oatey?

• At Oatey, our purpose has always been to deliver quality, build trust and improve lives.
• We value Collaboration, Integrity, Respect, Courage, Leadership, and Excellence above all else.
• We embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion - acknowledging, valuing, and leveraging the unique experiences and perspectives of our associates.
• Our vision is to continue to grow as a market leader, to enrich the lives of our Associates, and to foster an inclusive environment in every regard.
• Our purpose, mission, and vision are not possible without the right people, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive, engaging, and rewarding environment for our Associates.
• Oatey has a total rewards philosophy which encompasses compensation, benefits, work-life effectiveness, recognition, performance management, tuition reimbursement, mental health wellness, and talent development.

Oatey Total Rewards

• Unlimited time off for salaried Associates
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability income protection coverage at no cost to associates
• Paid Maternity and Paid Parental Leave
• Annual Cash Profit Sharing (discretionary)
• Health Insurance for our associates’ averages $100 or less a month (single coverage)
• Generous benefits including up to $2,880 company contribution to Health Savings Account
• 401(k) with a 5% company match
• Tuition reimbursement in an environment that encourages advancement
• Associate well-being benefits including CALM App and robust EAP offering
• Recognized for our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Oatey family of companies are an equal opportunity employer committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. We recruit, employ, promote, and offer competitive pay for all jobs without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.