Full-Time

Director of Operations

Posted on 1/31/2026

Barry-Wehmiller

Barry-Wehmiller

1,001-5,000 employees

Capital equipment and engineering solutions provider

No salary listed

Ladysmith, WI, USA

In Person

Category
Operations & Logistics (1)
Required Skills
Power BI
Inventory Management
Forecasting
VBA
Data Analysis
Excel/Numbers/Sheets
Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
  • 7+ years of experience in manufacturing operations.
  • 5+ years in leadership roles with a focus on people development.
  • Proven experience using Lean tools to drive measurable results.
  • Strong proficiency in Excel (advanced functions), Power BI, and data analysis methodologies.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead with empathy, clarity, and strategic vision.
Responsibilities
  • Lead manufacturing and support teams to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality operations.
  • Set and manage short- and long-term goals, ensuring accountability through key performance indicators (KPIs).
  • Monitor and improve metrics across Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC) using Lean principles and advanced analytics.
  • Analyze performance data to identify trends, forecast outcomes, and explain variances from plan.
  • Optimize workforce utilization through cross-training, resource planning, and flexible staffing strategies.
  • Ensure availability of tools, materials, and engineering support to meet production goals.
  • Promote a culture of safety, wellness, and fulfillment; resolve issues promptly and fairly.
  • Develop talent through ongoing feedback, coaching, and performance management.
  • Communicate and align team efforts with company strategy and operational goals.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Engineering, Sales, Field Service, Global Supply Chain) to ensure alignment and execution.
  • Manage inventory levels to balance cost efficiency with high customer service standards.
  • Partner with sales and engineering to support product delivery, risk mitigation, and cost estimation.
  • Ensure compliance with environmental, OSHA, and company safety standards.
  • Establish and report on operational and customer service KPIs.
  • Use advanced Excel (Power Query, PivotTables, VBA) and Power BI to visualize performance, identify bottlenecks, and drive improvements.
  • Apply Pareto analysis, root cause analysis, and other statistical tools to prioritize and solve systemic issues.
  • Leverage data to support strategic decisions and continuous improvement initiatives.

Barry-Wehmiller provides capital equipment and engineering solutions for manufacturing, helping clients improve operations through design, integration, and installation of machinery and systems. Their products and services cover the lifecycle of capital equipment for manufacturing, from concept through delivery and support. The company differentiates itself with a people-first culture called Truly Human Leadership, focusing on the growth and well-being of team members, which they say leads to better performance and better outcomes for customers and communities. Its goal is to build a better world by developing people and delivering reliable solutions that positively impact the lives of employees, customers, suppliers, and communities.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

St. Louis, Missouri

Founded

1885

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Sukumar Bhasker brings two decades scaling GCC and GBS operations globally.
  • The GCC can deepen digital capabilities in AI, automation, and data platforms.
  • Diversification into batteries and biosystems broadens growth beyond packaging equipment.

What critics are saying

  • GCC expansion depends on rapid talent hiring and retention in Chennai.
  • The company’s brand is heavily tied to Bob Chapman’s leadership philosophy.
  • Battery and bioprocessing bets face commercialization delays and market-cycle volatility.

What makes Barry-Wehmiller unique

  • Barry-Wehmiller pairs industrial automation with a people-first leadership culture.
  • Its Chennai GCC is being built for innovation, engineering excellence, and shared services.
  • Leadership continuity remains visible through Kyle Chapman and Bob Chapman's legacy.

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Benefits

Remote Work Options

Flexible Work Hours

Professional Development Budget

Company News

Greater Green Bay Chamber
May 1st, 2026
Kyle chapman of Barry-Wehmiller to give keynote at new north Summit.

Kyle chapman of Barry-Wehmiller to give keynote at new north Summit. Kyle Chapman, president and CEO of Barry-Wehmiller, will provide a keynote address at the upcoming New North Summit, scheduled for Tuesday, June 9, at the Lambeau Field Atrium in Green Bay. He will honor the legacy of his father, Bob, around the goal of building a more caring world through people-first business practices. Bob Chapman had been scheduled to provide a keynote at this year's Summit prior to his passing this past March 19. Bob Chapman, chairman and former CEO of Barry-Wehmiller Group, had shared his business philosophy in the 2015 best-seller, Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family, co-authored with Raj Sisodia. The book, which will be given to all New North Summit attendees, has sold more than 110,000 copies and has been translated into eight languages; it was re-released in a revised and expanded edition in 2025. Registration for the event remains open; a link to register can be found at www.newnorthsummit.com. "We are most appreciative that Kyle Chapman has agreed to step in for his father as a speaker at this year's New North Summit to help us honor Bob," says New North President and CEO Patti Habeck. "The philosophy of Barry- Wehmiller challenges traditional thinking about how to run a business, and offers simple, yet groundbreaking, ideas on how to create safe, healthy and fulfilling work environments. I believe that Kyle's words will be highly impactful to our guests." The keynote address of Kyle Chapman, sponsored by Capital Credit Union, will highlight how Barry-Wehmiller is redefining what success in business looks like by demonstrating how economic growth and human vibrancy work in harmony. The company's success and its leadership approach initiated by Bob Chapman was featured in a case study by Harvard Business School that is now taught at 70-plus business schools around the world. Kyle Chapman's tenure at Barry-Wehmiller began in 2009, when he co-founded BW Forsyth Partners, today a thriving $850 million-plus organization. He became the interim chief financial officer of Barry-Wehmiller early in 2020, and added CEO to his title in 2025 when Bob Chapman stepped down from the role after 50 years of leadership. Kyle Chapman holds a bachelor's degree in commerce from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University. Before joining Barry-Wehmiller, he worked in private equity and operations for multiple companies, including Banc of America Capital Investors, where he completed approximately $300 million in investments across numerous industries. Additional keynote addresses will be given by Rima Alaily, corporate VP and general counsel at Microsoft, and by Denise Thomas, leadership strategist and author of the best-selling The Only One in the Room. The New North Summit opens with a performance of the National Anthem by Lawrence University Associate Professor of Voice Estelí Gomez. Praised by The New York Times for her "clear, bright voice," she is acclaimed for her artistry in early and contemporary music. A soprano who has appeared on major symphonic, film and television recordings, Gomez is a two-time Grammy winner with the ensemble Roomful of Teeth. The afternoon session includes a pair of concurrent breakout sessions: a panel on cross-industry talent development strategies and a roundtable discussion on entrepreneurship. The talent session will focus on New North's role in industry alliances and talent-related initiatives, followed by a roundtable discussion with regional leaders in the construction, digital and healthcare industries. The entrepreneurship session will include a panel of successful entrepreneurs from the New North region. The New North Summit wraps up with a networking reception from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Additional event agenda updates will be provided at www.newnorthsummit.com on an ongoing basis. WHERE: Lambeau Field Atrium 1265 Lombardi Ave.; Green Bay, Wis. WHEN: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. New North, Inc., is a 501(c)3 non-profit, regional economic development corporationfostering collaboration among private and public sector leaders throughout the 18 counties of Northeast Wisconsin, known as the New North region. The New North brand unites the region both internally and externally around talent development, brand promotion and business development, signifying the collective economic power behind the 18 counties. The counties include Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Sheboygan, Waupaca, Waushara and Winnebago. www.thenewnorth.com

Pulse 2.0
Nov 12th, 2025
BW Design Group Acquires Malisko To Enhance National Leadership In System Integration And Automation

BW Design Group, a fully integrated architecture, engineering, and construction firm and a leading system integrator serving clients in the food and beverage, life sciences, household and personal care, and advanced technology sectors, has announced the acquisition of Malisko, a nationally recognized system integration and automation company.

Informa Markets
Aug 6th, 2024
Doug Neal joins Barry-Wehmiller

Doug Neal joins Barry-Wehmiller.

The Business Journals
Feb 20th, 2024
Big St. Louis-based manufacturing company fills new C-suite post

The Clayton-based company said Carol O'Neill, previously group president of packaging, has taken on the role of Barry-Wehmiller's chief transformation officer, effective Feb. 15.

Colombier Acquisition Corp. III
Jun 26th, 2023
Colombier invests in cut-size sheeting

With this investment, Colombier has partnered with Barry-Wehmiller (BW) Papersystems, a renowned pioneer in the field, known for their expertise in developing cutting-edge machinery.

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