--- title: 'Director of Operations at Industrial Electric Manufacturing' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/director-of-operations-industrial-electric-manufacturing-surrey-tcfy6nsv0qm2' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-18' --- # Director of Operations at Industrial Electric Manufacturing - **Company:** Industrial Electric Manufacturing - **Location:** Surrey, Canada - **Posted:** 2026-10-12 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-18 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/industrialelectricmanufacturing/jobs/4435212009 ## Job description At IEM, we’re not just building innovative electrical distribution systems, we’re shaping the future. IEM is dedicated to delivering world-class solutions for complex power needs. After 75 years, we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting out, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute, grow, and make a lasting impact on industries that power the world’s most dynamic markets. IEM is seeking a Director of Operations to lead Integrated Products manufacturing in Surrey, B.C. This role owns safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, capacity, and team development across the assigned product lines. The ideal candidate is a hands-on operations leader with experience scaling complex, high-mix manufacturing environments, building strong leaders, implementing Lean operating systems, and ensuring disciplined daily execution. Please note: This position requires 100% in-office presence in our Surrey, B.C. offices and does not offer remote work. ## Key Responsibilities - Responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing daily operations to ensure the company fulfills its mission of delivering quality products on schedule while meeting efficiency and productivity objectives. - Oversee revenue and budgets (Investments, CapEX, etc.) - Provide direction to the production team and establish strong collaboration with other departments, including EHS, Planning, Engineering, Quality, Process Improvement, HR, and Finance, to facilitate production flow and achieve established goals. - Plan, organize, and direct manufacturing and maintenance operations to maximize the return on assets. - Continuously improve safety performance by addressing both physical safety concerns and fostering a strong safety culture among employees. - Initiate plans and processes to minimize manufacturing costs through efficient utilization of manpower, equipment, facilities, materials, and capital. - Ensure business objectives and production schedules are met while maintaining product standards that exceed customer expectations. - Implement manufacturing strategies and action plans that align with IEM’s strategic initiatives. - Establish accountability at both the group and individual levels within assigned departments for problem-solving and cost reduction, addressing both long-term and immediate needs. - Encourage innovation by promoting the use of new techniques and fact-based, data-driven problem-solving. - Minimize throughput time and work-in-process inventory to enhance operational efficiency. - Optimize manpower utilization within existing departments and processes. - Maintain scheduling stability to maximize efficiency and resource utilization. - Reduce quality costs through periodic analysis of non-conformances and implementing both corrective and preventive actions. - Foster team spirit and motivation through personal involvement and leadership. - Continuously improve worker productivity through training programs and performance standards derived from work measurement studies. - Stay up to date with the latest production and production management concepts to maintain expertise and drive innovation. - Establish a culture of continuous improvement and promote lean manufacturing practices. - Ensure productivity targets are met and sustained. - Coordinate maintenance activities to keep production equipment and facilities in optimal condition. - Respond to special requests from the SVP of Operations, the Executive Team, and other departments as needed. ## Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Business, or a related field required; master’s degree, MBA, or equivalent advanced education preferred. - 10+ years of progressive manufacturing or operations experience, including 5+ years in senior leadership roles. - Manufacturing Engineering (including M&I flow, Standard Operations, plant layout, waste elimination, continuous improvement, engineering change control) with a thorough understanding of manufacturing and financial KPI. - Experience working with ERP systems (Infor would be an asset) - Demonstrated written, verbal, and interpersonal communications skills - Strong leadership, motivational, & interpersonal skills - The position requires excellent communications and employee relations skills, and the ability to lead and motivate subordinates. - Ability to effectively communicate ideas, concepts, and programs to all levels of the organization providing “leadership” to employees in a constantly changing environment. Hands-on mentality. - Ability to create and maintain relationships with customers and suppliers at all levels of their respective organizations. - Demonstrated Lean Manufacturing experience in both a High Volume-Low Mix environment (preferred) and/or High Mix-Low Volume environment. - A proven leader in Quality management / delivering best in class Customer requirements. - Strong problem-solving skills and analytical skills - A proven Change Agent that has the maturity and confidence to lead and influence others. Compensation actually offered for this role will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. [CAD $165,000 - $210,000] ## Why Join IEM At IEM, you’ll join a team that powers some of the world’s most ambitious projects. We’re engineers, makers, and problem-solvers who thrive on tackling complex challenges and delivering solutions that keep industries moving forward. If you’re driven, collaborative, and ready to make an impact, we’d love to hear from you. Your creativity and passion can help us achieve great things—come be part of the journey. Learn more about IEM at https://www.iemfg.com We offer comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support our employees' well-being, growth, and long-term success. View a snapshot of our benefits at https://www.iemfg.com/careers Recruiting Scams Beware of recruiting scams. IEM never charges candidates fees, and all recruiter emails come from an @iemfg.com address. If you suspect fraudulent activity, do not share personal information and report it to us at [iemfg.com/contact](https://www.iemfg.com/contact/) Non-Discrimination Statement IEM does not discriminate against any applicant based on any characteristic protected by law. Privacy Information collected and processed as part of your IEM Careers profile, and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to IEM's [Workforce Member Privacy Policy.](https://www.iemfg.com/ccpa/) Use of AI At IEM, we are committed to a fair and transparent hiring process. Use the link below to view how we use artificial intelligence (AI) technology to assist in reviewing job applications and your rights as an applicant. [AI Use in IEM's Hiring Process](https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.iemfg.com%2Fsystem%2Fuploads%2Ffae%2Ffile%2Fasset%2F230%2FAI_Use_In_IEMs_Hiring_Process_-_Applicant_Notice.pdf&data=05%7C02%7Cthomas.young%40iemfg.com%7Cb3cd884a34174f95ace708df0db5bf43%7C8a049edbe19b4651aeb61e238422b6c6%7C0%7C0%7C639244746581651387%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=OuABt1%2FXzO2WvIE1uasFLCXc9hd2cW%2F5Lvfktq0pD1w%3D&reserved=0) ## About Industrial Electric Manufacturing ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: IEM designs and manufactures custom low- and medium-voltage electrical power distribution equipment, switchgear, and integrated power infrastructure at scale for critical industries. - **Entity Type**: Private (Privately held corporation) - **Headquarters**: Fremont, California, United States - **Founded**: 1950 - **Founders**: Not publicly available (founded on a family ranch in Fremont, CA) ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Industrial electrical manufacturing, power distribution equipment, switchgear, and critical power infrastructure. - **Target customers**: B2B, serving large-scale enterprises and institutions across Technology & Data Centers, Commercial & Real Estate, Energy & Utilities, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Industrial & Manufacturing, and Infrastructure & Public Services. - **Mission or purpose statement**: "We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all." IEM partners with customers to plan, engineer, and deliver the future of power, offering the flexibility to meet complex technical requirements and the scale to support ambitious projects. [iemfg.com](https://www.iemfg.com/) ## Products & Services - **Low Voltage Switchboards (UL 891)**: Customizable electrical distribution boards for commercial and industrial applications. - **Low Voltage Switchgear (UL 1558)**: Robust, fully-rated switchgear for critical power distribution. - **Low Voltage Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) (UL 1008)**: Reliable power switching for backup generator systems. - **Low Voltage Fully Integrated Switchboards**: Combined switchboard and distribution solutions. - **Panelboards (UL 67)**: Standard and custom panelboard solutions. - **Medium Voltage Metal-Clad Switchgear**: High-reliability switchgear for medium voltage applications. - **Medium Voltage Metal-Enclosed Switchgear**: Durable, enclosed switchgear for demanding environments. - **Medium Voltage Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS)**: Medium voltage power switching solutions. - **Medium Voltage 38 kV Switchgear**: High-voltage switchgear for utility and large-scale applications. - **Unit Substations**: Integrated substation solutions for power distribution. - **VESTA Arc-Resistant Switchgear**: Arc-resistant medium voltage switchgear for enhanced safety. - **Integrated Products (PDU, RPP, Walk-In Enclosures, Custom Assemblies)**: Power distribution units, remote power panels, and custom enclosures for data centers and critical facilities. - **Field Services**: On-site startup, commissioning, and emergency repair services for power systems, supported by a dedicated team of 100+ field service technicians. [iemfg.com](https://www.iemfg.com/system/uploads/fae/file/asset/134/IEM_Corporate_Brochure_Long_2025-09-02-compressed.pdf) ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (privately held) - **Key Metric**: Over $1 billion in annual sales (as of 2025/2026). [iemfg.com](https://www.iemfg.com/system/uploads/fae/file/asset/134/IEM_Corporate_Brochure_Long_2025-09-02-compressed.pdf) - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Privately held; key customers include Hewlett-Packard, Amazon, Apple, and NASA. [iemfg.com](https://www.iemfg.com/careers/) - **Growth Signals**: - Approximately 4,800 employees in North America, a 340% increase since 2022. - Quadrupled North American manufacturing footprint since 2022, investing over $100 million in advanced manufacturing equipment. - 21 major locations in the U.S., Canada, and Belgium. - No. 50 on the 2026 Inc. Regionals list (Pacific). - No. 1: First Coast’s Largest Manufacturing Companies (Jacksonville Business Journal). - Top 30: Largest Manufacturers in the Greater Bay Area (San Francisco Business Times and Silicon Valley Business Journal). [iemfg.com](https://www.iemfg.com/system/uploads/fae/file/asset/202/IEM_Company_Brief_2026.pdf) ## Competitive Advantages - **Custom at Scale**: Combines the flexibility to meet unique technical requirements with the capacity and experience to support demanding project schedules at scale, a rare combination in the industry. - **75+ Year Track Record**: A proven history of reliability and innovation, including pioneering work in CAD/CAM systems and commercial switchgear, and powering the rise of Silicon Valley. - **Deep Industry Partnerships**: Strong, long-term relationships with commercial and industrial tech leaders like Hewlett-Packard, Amazon, Apple, and NASA. [iemfg.com](https://www.iemfg.com/careers/) - **Superior Quality & Testing**: Products are rigorously tested beyond industry standards (UL, ANSI, IEEE, NEMA, seismic) to guarantee long-term reliability. - **Massive Scale & Capacity**: 1.5M+ square feet of production capacity, 21 major locations, and over $1 billion in annual sales, enabling them to handle the largest and most complex projects. ## Strategic Focus - **Rapid Expansion**: Aggressively scaling manufacturing capacity and headcount (340% increase since 2022) to meet surging demand from data centers, energy, and infrastructure sectors. - **Field Service Network Growth**: Expanding a network of field service offices across North America to provide faster, local support for customers. - **Innovation in Power Infrastructure**: Continuing to develop advanced products like arc-resistant switchgear and integrated power solutions for next-generation data centers and critical facilities. - **Talent Acquisition**: Actively hiring across engineering, field service, and manufacturing roles to support growth, with a focus on building a skilled workforce through "IEM University" for continuous learning. [iemfg.com](https://www.iemfg.com/careers/) ## Why Work Here - **Impactful Work**: Employees contribute to powering the world’s most critical infrastructure, including data centers for tech giants like Amazon and Apple, and projects for NASA. - **Strong Benefits**: 100% coverage of employee-level medical, dental, and vision benefits; 401(k) with employer match (no vesting schedule); HSA contributions; tuition reimbursement; and opportunity for quarterly bonuses. [iemfg.com](https://www.iemfg.com/careers/) - **Growth & Development**: "IEM University" provides continuous learning resources, personalized development plans, and role-specific programs. The company promotes from within and offers clear career paths. - **Culture**: Described as a collaborative community where "listening works" and success comes through teamwork. Emphasizes curiosity, diverse perspectives, and an inclusive, forward-thinking workplace. - **Work Policy**: Roles range from on-site (manufacturing, engineering labs) to remote (e.g., Power Solution Architect, Lead Electrical Design Engineer). Flexible shifts are available in some locations. [iemfg.com](https://www.iemfg.com/careers/) - **Notable Perks**: 100% coverage of employee-level medical, dental, and vision; quarterly bonus opportunity; tuition reimbursement; on-the-job training. [iemfg.com](https://www.iemfg.com/careers/) ## Sources 1. [IEM Corporate Website](https://www.iemfg.com/) 2. [IEM Careers Page](https://www.iemfg.com/careers/) 3. [IEM Company Brief (PDF)](https://www.iemfg.com/system/uploads/fae/file/asset/202/IEM_Company_Brief_2026.pdf) 4. [IEM Corporate Brochure (PDF)](https://www.iemfg.com/system/uploads/fae/file/asset/134/IEM_Corporate_Brochure_Long_2025-09-02-compressed.pdf) 5. [IEM Job Board (Greenhouse)](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/industrialelectricmanufacturing) ## Other roles at Industrial Electric Manufacturing - [Director, FP&A](https://feeny.ai/job/director-fp-a-industrial-electric-manufacturing-united-states-3v10k7ms2v8b) — United States - [Metal Fabrication Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/metal-fabrication-lead-industrial-electric-manufacturing-surrey-ph0vkqghy40r) — Surrey, Canada - [Operations Administrator](https://feeny.ai/job/operations-administrator-industrial-electric-manufacturing-surrey-8qp0qqxdf8fm) — Surrey, Canada - [MRB Coordinator](https://feeny.ai/job/mrb-coordinator-industrial-electric-manufacturing-jacksonville-1r360b9yf87c) — Jacksonville, FL - [Operations Supervisor](https://feeny.ai/job/operations-supervisor-industrial-electric-manufacturing-surrey-hzfzpmhcx3dn) — Surrey, Canada - [Data Analyst](https://feeny.ai/job/data-analyst-industrial-electric-manufacturing-united-states-56081cfy2jtg) — United States - [Laboratory Test Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/laboratory-test-technician-industrial-electric-manufacturing-tualatin-kx1p7xk4x22q) — Tualatin, OR - [Mechanical Assembler](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-assembler-industrial-electric-manufacturing-san-antonio-977zq8gc0vfv) — San Antonio, TX - [Buyer](https://feeny.ai/job/buyer-industrial-electric-manufacturing-surrey-fedeq7q80jwp) — Surrey, Canada - [Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)](https://feeny.ai/job/certified-welding-inspector-cwi-industrial-electric-manufacturing-san-antonio-2gjwmd0ktb43) — San Antonio, TX