Director of Operations – Heavy Industrial & Field Services

Company: Henke Industrial

About the Role: Henke Industrial is seeking a highly experienced, field-oriented Director of Operations to lead our specialized heavy industrial service teams. Unlike traditional manufacturing or stationary plant management roles, this position is strictly focused on field-deployed operations, including turnkey equipment relocation, millwright and rigging services, heavy-haul logistics, and facility lifecycle services.

We need a "boots-on-the-ground" leader who thrives in high-stakes project environments. You will be responsible for overseeing complex machinery moves, managing craft labor and rigging crews, ensuring rigorous safety compliance, and estimating project-based logistics. If your background is in industrial contracting, heavy-haul logistics, or specialized rigging, we want to talk to you.

Key Responsibilities:

Field Operations & Project Execution:

• Oversee all field-deployed projects, including heavy equipment relocation, millwright services, and turnkey facility installations.
• Develop accurate project estimates, Statements of Work (SOWs), and operational execution plans for complex machinery moves.
• Lead, mentor, and allocate technical resources, including riggers, operators, millwrights, and field supervisors.
• Act as the primary operational point of contact for clients during active field projects, handling change orders and resolving on-site logistical challenges.

Heavy Haul & Specialized Logistics:

• Manage and optimize specialized fleet logistics, including routing and permitting for Over-Size/Over-Weight (OS/OW) freight.
• Demonstrate deep technical fluency in specialized transport equipment (e.g., RGNs, Step Decks, multi-axle configurations) and heavy-lift rigging operations.
• Coordinate complex project scheduling to ensure specialized equipment and crews arrive on-site in sequence.

Safety, Culture & Compliance:

• Champion a zero-incident safety culture across all active job sites.
• Develop and enforce Site-Specific Safety Plans (SSSP) tailored to heavy industrial and construction environments.
• Ensure strict compliance with all relevant OSHA, DOT, and specialized industry regulations.

Required Qualifications:

• 7+ years of senior operations or project management experience specifically within industrial contracting, specialized rigging, millwright services, or heavy-haul logistics. (Note: Traditional stationary plant, warehousing, or retail logistics experience will not be considered a fit for this role).
• Proven track record of estimating and executing field-based construction or heavy industrial projects.
• Deep technical knowledge of rigging principles, heavy machinery, cranes, and specialized transport equipment.
• Strong financial acumen related to project-based P&L, bidding, and resource allocation.
• Expertise in OSHA and DOT compliance.
• Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to manage both craft labor and client stakeholders.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

• Active Job Sites: Frequent travel to active, often unconditioned heavy industrial job sites, manufacturing facilities, and construction environments.
• Site Navigation: Must be able to walk active industrial sites, stand for extended periods, and safely navigate uneven terrain and tight spaces around heavy machinery.
• Physical Activity: Ability to climb stairs and ladders, and occasionally lift/move up to 25-50 lbs as needed while on site.
• Safety Gear: Strict adherence to safety protocols, including wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, safety glasses, high-visibility clothing, and steel-toe boots as required by site-specific safety plans.
• Travel: This role requires significant "boots-on-the-ground" travel to oversee project execution and client sites.