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Director of Operations Technology

Charter Manufacturing · Saukville, WI · Full time

Posted Oct 2, 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

You'd lead Operations Technology, Automation and Controls across six facilities. How have you run a centralized technical team that serves several plants?

What they are checking: Experience balancing central standards with the real needs of individual plants.

Tell me about a time you developed a leader who now runs a team.

What they are checking: Leading leaders and building succession, which the posting names directly.

Tell me about a technology project that improved manufacturing performance. How did you measure it?

What they are checking: Whether they tie technology work to real operating results.

How do you build a safety culture in a team that works on energized equipment and automation?

What they are checking: Whether safety is part of how they lead, not just a slogan.

How do you hold your team accountable while keeping engagement high?

What they are checking: Balance of clear expectations and support, which the posting calls out.

What would you do

A plant manager feels central OT slows them down and wants their own controls engineer. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Building trust with plant leadership and showing the value of a central model instead of defending turf.

A major controls failure stops a melt shop. What's your role as the director in that moment and afterward?

What they are checking: Knowing when to support the team versus take over, and how to drive learning after the event.

About the work

How do you decide which automation projects get funded and staffed first?

What they are checking: Prioritizing by business impact on safety, quality, throughput and cost rather than by technical interest.

How should Operations Technology and Corporate IT split responsibilities, especially around cybersecurity on the plant floor?

What they are checking: A clear view of the IT and OT boundary where many manufacturers have gaps.

How do you standardize PLC programming and controls across plants that have equipment from different eras?

What they are checking: Practical technical credibility with legacy systems common in steel mills.

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The full job description

As published by Charter Manufacturing.

Charter Manufacturing is a fourth-generation family-owned business where our will to grow drives us to do it better. Join the team and become part of our family! Lead the Future of Manufacturing Technology Manufacturing technology is a competitive advantage at Charter Steel. We're looking for an experienced leader to provide strategic leadership for Charter's centralized Operations Technology, Automation and Controls functions across six manufacturing facilities. This role combines strategic leadership, operational excellence and technical credibility to improve manufacturing performance while developing the next generation of technical leaders. If you're energized by building organizations, leading leaders and partnering with manufacturing operations to solve complex business challenges, we'd like to meet you. What You'll Do As Director of Operations Technology you'll provide strategic leadership for Charter Steel's centralized Operations Technology, Automation and Controls organization, partnering closely with Operations, Plant Leadership and Corporate IT to advance business performance across six manufacturing facilities. In this role, you will: • Lead and develop a high-performing organization by building leadership capability, strengthening accountability, developing succession pipelines, and fostering a culture of safety, engagement, and continuous improvement. • Shape the technology strategy by partnering with executive leadership to align manufacturing technology priorities with business objectives, evaluate emerging technologies, and ensure investments deliver measurable value. • Build an operationally excellent organization by establishing governance, operating rhythms, performance measures, and decision-making processes that improve execution, responsiveness, and reliability. • Partner across the business to understand operational needs, influence priorities, and strengthen trusted relationships with plant leadership, Operations, and Corporate IT. • Drive manufacturing technology performance by ensuring automation and manufacturing systems are reliable, stable, secure, and responsive while continuously improving service delivery and operational effectiveness. • Lead strategic investment and governance by supporting capital planning, technology standards, vendor partnerships, and sourcing strategies that position the business for long-term growth. • Champion a culture of safety and continuous improvement by promoting safe work practices, ensuring compliance with Environmental, Quality, and Safety Management Systems, and driving sustainable improvements through root cause problem solving. What Success Looks Like You'll thrive in this role if you enjoy: • Building organizations and developing leaders • Driving accountability and influencing across functions • Solving operational challenges by improving technology reliability and business responsiveness • Leading transformational change by building trust across operations, manufacturing and IT • Ability to meet the essential job requirements, with or without reasonable accommodation, as outlined in the job description. The Leader We're Looking For You are someone who: • Leads leaders and develops high-performing teams • Thinks strategically and influences across organizational boundaries • Builds trust and builds strong partnerships • Creates accountability • Balances strategy with execution • Brings sufficient technical credibility to lead experts • Has a passion for continuous improvement and operational excellence Qualifications • Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Technology • Ten plus years' progressive leadership experience in manufacturing technology, automation, engineering, operations or a related technical function • Demonstrated experience successfully leading leaders and developing high-performing technical teams • Strong analytical skills with the ability to frame business issues, analyze options, and concisely articulate a course of action to cross functional audiences • Proven business leadership and acumen with solid understanding of the interrelationship of departments in a manufacturing organization, such as purchasing, logistics, production planning, sales, operations, inventory, etc. • Ability to seamlessly move between strategic and tactical technology issues • Passion for Continuous Improvement and supporting growth within a business • Experience with budgeting, planning, analysis, and reporting • Demonstrated ability to translate business needs into value added efficient technology solutions • Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, create accountability and drive results across competing business demands • Commitment to culture of safety, accident prevention, and elimination • Experience with ERP and Automation systems • Sufficient technical depth and judgment to credibly lead manufacturing technology, automation and controls teams and effectively assess technical opportunities and risks • Broad knowledge and experience with technology standards (ITIL, NIST) PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: • Graduate Degree in Engineering or Technology • Fifteen plus year’s related experience • Broad experience with ERP and Manufacturing system rationalization, consolidation, and implementation • Acquisition and integration experience • Experience leading a multi-site manufacturing technology or automation Experience establishing or significantly improving a functional operating model, including prioritization, performance management and operating rhythms Why Charter Steel? This is a rare opportunity to build a critical manufacturing technology organization while partnering directly with executive leadership to shape the future of Charter Steel. #manufacturingtechnology&automation #manufacturingtechnology #industrialautomation We offer comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits, along with a 401(k) plan that includes employer matching and profit sharing. Additionally, we offer company-paid life insurance, disability coverage, and paid time off (PTO).

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