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Director of Manufacturing Operations - Expat (Asia or Mexico)

Milwaukee Tool · Milwaukee, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 9, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a manufacturing operation you led. What did safety, quality, delivery and cost look like when you started and when you left?

What they are checking: Whether they have a measurable track record across all the results this role is accountable for.

This role moves to PRC, Vietnam or Mexico after six months. What experience do you have leading operations outside the US?

What they are checking: Whether they have lived and led abroad and understand what an expatriate assignment really involves.

Tell me about building a high-performing leadership team. How did you decide who to keep, develop or replace?

What they are checking: Whether they make tough people decisions and invest in developing leaders.

How does your family feel about an expat assignment, and what support would you need to make it work?

What they are checking: Whether the candidate has thought seriously about the personal side of relocating, which affects assignment success.

What would you do

How do you lead a local management team when you don't speak the language and the culture is different from yours?

What they are checking: Whether they can build trust and lead through others in a different culture.

A plant you're responsible for has a serious safety incident. What do you do in the first 24 hours and the first month?

What they are checking: Whether they put people first and lead a thorough response and lasting fix.

How do you use the six months in Milwaukee to set yourself up to succeed overseas?

What they are checking: Whether they would use the onboarding period to build relationships and learn the business on purpose.

Demand jumps sharply and the plant must ramp up fast. How do you scale without hurting quality?

What they are checking: Whether they can manage rapid growth, which matches the company's growth goals.

About the work

How would you approach setting up or expanding a power tool manufacturing footprint in a new country?

What they are checking: Whether they can plan facilities, suppliers, talent and launch timelines for global expansion.

What does a world-class manufacturing system look like to you, and how would you put one in place?

What they are checking: Whether they have a clear operating model with standard work, lean practices and daily management.

How do you keep a plant in another country aligned with headquarters while still letting the local team make decisions?

What they are checking: Whether they can balance global standards with local ownership.

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The full job description

As published by Milwaukee Tool.

Job Description: INNOVATE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES! At Milwaukee Tool, we believe our people and culture are the keys to our success. We are committed to empowering employees with resources and opportunities to redefine the industry. With a fast-paced, innovative environment, we foster growth, development, and excellence in every aspect of our operations. Join us to lead the transformation of power tools manufacturing on a global scale. Learn more about our story HERE . Your Role on Our Team: The Director of Operations will be responsible for defined operations functions supporting Milwaukee Tool’s global Power Tools facilities. You will drive operational excellence, implement world-class manufacturing strategies, and build high-performing teams that support Milwaukee Tool's ambitious growth. This role will start in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for the first six months and transition to an expatriate assignment in PRC, Vietnam, or Mexico, where you will lead initiatives that align with our global expansion and operational strategies. You'll be DISRUPTIVE through these duties and responsibilities: • Develop and execute an operational strategy that delivers best-in-class safety, quality, service levels, and cost efficiency. • Establish manufacturing strategies, footprints, facilities, and operations to support global business growth and customer requirements effectively and efficiently. • Build and maintain a global culture rooted in Milwaukee Tool’s core values, fostering open communication, accountability, and continuous improvement. • Implement operational disciplines and best practices, including Lean principles, 5S, KPI dashboards, workforce agility, and data-driven decision-making. • Drive continuous improvement by identifying and addressing gaps in processes, systems, and technologies across the global value stream. • Collaborate with New Product Development teams to ensure seamless integration of operations for global product launches. • Lead the development and mentoring of high-energy, talented operations teams across all regions. • Monitor, report, and analyze operational performance globally, leveraging technology and real-time data for informed decision-making. • Build strong relationships with cross-functional teams, including sales, engineering, and product management, to ensure alignment with business objectives. • Cultivate end-user demand and distribution partnerships through strategic promotions, training, and engagement initiatives. What TOOLS you’ll bring with you: • Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Business, or a related technical field. • Minimum of 7 years of progressive management experience in manufacturing operations, including exposure to global manufacturing. • Expertise in high-volume consumer product assembly component manufacturing. • Proven track record of strategic planning, Profit and Loss (P&L) management, and Quality Systems. • Strong understanding of Lean principles, Six Sigma methodologies, and continuous improvement tools. Other TOOLS we prefer you to have: • Experience in start-up or high-growth manufacturing environments. • Demonstrated ability to optimize processes through value stream mapping and other Lean tools. • Strong business judgment with the ability to prioritize and articulate high-impact initiatives. • Familiarity with diverse cultural environments and ability to lead teams across multiple geographies. Milwaukee Tool is an equal opportunity employer.

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