TN Visa Operations Director Jobs
Operations Director roles qualify for TN visa sponsorship under the USMCA for Canadian and Mexican professionals with a relevant bachelor's degree and a bona fide U.S. employer offer. Unlike H-1B, Canadians face no lottery and no cap, making this one of the most direct paths to senior operations leadership in the U.S.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
On the heels of achieving 3X growth, Virginia Transformer is hiring to do it again! We’re strategically building our team for the next 3X growth cycle — a phase that is both intense and incredibly rewarding. We’re highly selective about who joins us, because this journey isn’t for everyone. If you have the drive, grit, and expertise to perform at a high level — and you want to grow your career 3X alongside the Company’s growth — we’d love to talk. Apply below and let’s start the conversation.
Who We Are
Virginia Transformer is the largest U.S.-owned producer of power transformers in North America, and we’ve been able to grow the past 50-plus years through an unwavering focus on delivering for our customers. We’re more than 5,900 people strong and are known throughout the industry for being an engineering company that makes premium quality transformers in the shortest lead times. As a privately held, organically growing company, we thrive on nimbleness, innovation, and tenacity.
Join Our Team
If you love the thrill of securing the U.S. electric grid, enabling all manufacturing in the country, and the energy of a fast-moving train — this is the place for you. We train hard, grow together, and lead with purpose. Every transformer we build is custom, every challenge unique, and every team member essential. We’re looking for those ready to lead, fueled by commitment, and driven by impact. We are growing so fast that all our available roles are not yet posted, so let us know if you are interested and we will follow-up.
ROLE OVERVIEW
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Virginia Transformer Corporation owns the enterprise operational execution platform of the business. This role is accountable for ensuring that manufacturing operations, facilities, manufacturing engineering, equipment, test capability, and physical infrastructure operate reliably, safely, and at scale in support of a complex, made-to-order fast growing manufacturing environment. This role is unique in that it is responsible for not only the current manufacturing capability, but also in building, maintaining, and scaling the operating system that enables consistent output, quality, and delivery across multiple plants, all of which are growing in scale and output. As a privately held, high-growth industrial manufacturer with 5,500+ employees and 24/7 operations, the COO ensures that Virginia Transformer’s people, processes and execution remain a competitive advantage.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Production and Capacity Management:
- Establish consistent operational standards, policies, and controls across plants
- Implement scalable operating models that support growth without chaos
- Ensure achievement of production volume, cost, quality, and delivery targets
- Optimize capacity utilization and plant productivity
- Lead S&OP (Sales & Operations Planning) and demand fulfillment
- Ensure operational readiness for new products, customers, and capacity expansions
2. Multi-Plant Leadership Governance:
- Provide overall leadership for multiple manufacturing plants across locations
- Lead and mentor Plant Heads, Operations Directors, and Engineering Leaders
- Build leadership pipeline and succession planning
- Drive performance culture, workforce productivity, and engagement
- Ensure standardization of processes, systems, and KPIs across plants
- Drive best-practice sharing and benchmarking between plants
- Oversee facility planning, expansion, modernization, and consolidation initiatives
3. Maintenance, Reliability & Asset Management:
- Lead enterprise maintenance strategy for all production, test, and support equipment
- Drive reliability engineering, preventive maintenance, and uptime optimization
- Establish asset lifecycle management standards across plants
- Reduce unplanned downtime and extend asset life through disciplined execution
4. Manufacturing Engineering, Quality & Process Capability:
- Standardize processes, tooling, layouts, and work methods for efficiency and repeatability
- Drive process capability, throughput improvement, and waste reduction
- Ensure compliance with quality systems (ISO, customer standards, regulatory norms)
- Drive zero-defect culture and continuous quality improvement
- Lead major audits and customer escalations
- Ensure alignment between commercial demand, engineering requirements, and equipment capacity
5. Supply Chain, Logistics and Procurement:
- Oversee procurement, logistics, warehousing, and inventory management
- Develop strategic supplier partnerships
- Reduce working capital and improve inventory turns
6. Health, Safety and Environmental:
- Establish and enforce uniform HSE standards across plants
- Drive zero-accident and environmental compliance culture
- Ensure adherence to all statutory requirements
- Ensure plants and support facilities are safe, compliant, and optimized for production flow
7. Executive Leadership & Cross-Functional Alignment:
- Serve as a core member of the Executive Leadership Team
- Partner closely with the CEO, CCO, CHRO, SVP Supply Chain, CTO, and CFO
- Translate growth strategy into executable operational infrastructure
- Act as a steward of long-term operational health, not short-term fixes
WHAT THIS COO OWNS (EXPLICITLY)
- Manufacturing processes and Schedule attainment
- Buildings & facilities
- Maintenance & reliability
- Manufacturing engineering
- Equipment control, maintenance & capital assets
- Test equipment & technical execution in plants
WHAT THIS ROLE DOES NOT DIRECTLY OWN:
- Sales & commercial strategy
- HR & people operations
WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS AT VIRGINIA TRANSFORMER
At Virginia Transformer:
- Meet customer promise dates
- Equipment availability determines delivery
- Test capability determines credibility
- Supporting people and facilities to meet expectations of safety, scale, and speed
- Managing accelerated growth while delivering superior product
This COO role ensures the operating system never becomes the bottleneck to growth.
IDEAL PROFILE
- Senior operations executive experience in industrial manufacturing or engineered products
- Deep expertise in facilities, industrial manufacturing execution, manufacturing engineering, safety and Supply Chain execution
- Proven success scaling physical operations in high-mix, low-volume environments
- Strong executive presence with disciplined execution mindset
- Experience in private, founder-led, or high-growth organizations preferred
SUCCESS MEASURES (FIRST 12–24 MONTHS)
- Production schedule attainment
- Improved equipment uptime and plant reliability
- Scalable facilities and test infrastructure aligned with growth
- Reduced operational risk and unplanned downtime
- Strong capital discipline and ROI on major investments
- Clear operational standards across all sites
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Finance, Engineering (Mechanical/Electrical/Industrial)
- Advanced degree preferred (MBA or equivalent executive education)
- Supply Chain experience preferred
Professional Experience
- 18-25+ years manufacturing experience
- Proven track record managing multi-site operations
- Experience operating in privately held, high-growth, or complex global manufacturing organizations preferred
INTRODUCTION
On the heels of achieving 3X growth, Virginia Transformer is hiring to do it again! We’re strategically building our team for the next 3X growth cycle — a phase that is both intense and incredibly rewarding. We’re highly selective about who joins us, because this journey isn’t for everyone. If you have the drive, grit, and expertise to perform at a high level — and you want to grow your career 3X alongside the Company’s growth — we’d love to talk. Apply below and let’s start the conversation.
Who We Are
Virginia Transformer is the largest U.S.-owned producer of power transformers in North America, and we’ve been able to grow the past 50-plus years through an unwavering focus on delivering for our customers. We’re more than 5,900 people strong and are known throughout the industry for being an engineering company that makes premium quality transformers in the shortest lead times. As a privately held, organically growing company, we thrive on nimbleness, innovation, and tenacity.
Join Our Team
If you love the thrill of securing the U.S. electric grid, enabling all manufacturing in the country, and the energy of a fast-moving train — this is the place for you. We train hard, grow together, and lead with purpose. Every transformer we build is custom, every challenge unique, and every team member essential. We’re looking for those ready to lead, fueled by commitment, and driven by impact. We are growing so fast that all our available roles are not yet posted, so let us know if you are interested and we will follow-up.
ROLE OVERVIEW
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Virginia Transformer Corporation owns the enterprise operational execution platform of the business. This role is accountable for ensuring that manufacturing operations, facilities, manufacturing engineering, equipment, test capability, and physical infrastructure operate reliably, safely, and at scale in support of a complex, made-to-order fast growing manufacturing environment. This role is unique in that it is responsible for not only the current manufacturing capability, but also in building, maintaining, and scaling the operating system that enables consistent output, quality, and delivery across multiple plants, all of which are growing in scale and output. As a privately held, high-growth industrial manufacturer with 5,500+ employees and 24/7 operations, the COO ensures that Virginia Transformer’s people, processes and execution remain a competitive advantage.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Production and Capacity Management:
- Establish consistent operational standards, policies, and controls across plants
- Implement scalable operating models that support growth without chaos
- Ensure achievement of production volume, cost, quality, and delivery targets
- Optimize capacity utilization and plant productivity
- Lead S&OP (Sales & Operations Planning) and demand fulfillment
- Ensure operational readiness for new products, customers, and capacity expansions
2. Multi-Plant Leadership Governance:
- Provide overall leadership for multiple manufacturing plants across locations
- Lead and mentor Plant Heads, Operations Directors, and Engineering Leaders
- Build leadership pipeline and succession planning
- Drive performance culture, workforce productivity, and engagement
- Ensure standardization of processes, systems, and KPIs across plants
- Drive best-practice sharing and benchmarking between plants
- Oversee facility planning, expansion, modernization, and consolidation initiatives
3. Maintenance, Reliability & Asset Management:
- Lead enterprise maintenance strategy for all production, test, and support equipment
- Drive reliability engineering, preventive maintenance, and uptime optimization
- Establish asset lifecycle management standards across plants
- Reduce unplanned downtime and extend asset life through disciplined execution
4. Manufacturing Engineering, Quality & Process Capability:
- Standardize processes, tooling, layouts, and work methods for efficiency and repeatability
- Drive process capability, throughput improvement, and waste reduction
- Ensure compliance with quality systems (ISO, customer standards, regulatory norms)
- Drive zero-defect culture and continuous quality improvement
- Lead major audits and customer escalations
- Ensure alignment between commercial demand, engineering requirements, and equipment capacity
5. Supply Chain, Logistics and Procurement:
- Oversee procurement, logistics, warehousing, and inventory management
- Develop strategic supplier partnerships
- Reduce working capital and improve inventory turns
6. Health, Safety and Environmental:
- Establish and enforce uniform HSE standards across plants
- Drive zero-accident and environmental compliance culture
- Ensure adherence to all statutory requirements
- Ensure plants and support facilities are safe, compliant, and optimized for production flow
7. Executive Leadership & Cross-Functional Alignment:
- Serve as a core member of the Executive Leadership Team
- Partner closely with the CEO, CCO, CHRO, SVP Supply Chain, CTO, and CFO
- Translate growth strategy into executable operational infrastructure
- Act as a steward of long-term operational health, not short-term fixes
WHAT THIS COO OWNS (EXPLICITLY)
- Manufacturing processes and Schedule attainment
- Buildings & facilities
- Maintenance & reliability
- Manufacturing engineering
- Equipment control, maintenance & capital assets
- Test equipment & technical execution in plants
WHAT THIS ROLE DOES NOT DIRECTLY OWN:
- Sales & commercial strategy
- HR & people operations
WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS AT VIRGINIA TRANSFORMER
At Virginia Transformer:
- Meet customer promise dates
- Equipment availability determines delivery
- Test capability determines credibility
- Supporting people and facilities to meet expectations of safety, scale, and speed
- Managing accelerated growth while delivering superior product
This COO role ensures the operating system never becomes the bottleneck to growth.
IDEAL PROFILE
- Senior operations executive experience in industrial manufacturing or engineered products
- Deep expertise in facilities, industrial manufacturing execution, manufacturing engineering, safety and Supply Chain execution
- Proven success scaling physical operations in high-mix, low-volume environments
- Strong executive presence with disciplined execution mindset
- Experience in private, founder-led, or high-growth organizations preferred
SUCCESS MEASURES (FIRST 12–24 MONTHS)
- Production schedule attainment
- Improved equipment uptime and plant reliability
- Scalable facilities and test infrastructure aligned with growth
- Reduced operational risk and unplanned downtime
- Strong capital discipline and ROI on major investments
- Clear operational standards across all sites
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Finance, Engineering (Mechanical/Electrical/Industrial)
- Advanced degree preferred (MBA or equivalent executive education)
- Supply Chain experience preferred
Professional Experience
- 18-25+ years manufacturing experience
- Proven track record managing multi-site operations
- Experience operating in privately held, high-growth, or complex global manufacturing organizations preferred
See all 1,918+ Operations Director jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Operations Director roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding TN Visa Sponsorship as an Operations Director
Align your credentials to the TN definition
Operations Director falls under the Management Consultant category on the TN list. Make sure your degree and job duties documentation reflect management consulting functions, not generic business titles, or CBP may push back at the port of entry.
Target companies with active cross-border operations
Manufacturers, logistics firms, and distributors with U.S.-Canada or U.S.-Mexico supply chains hire Operations Directors regularly and are already familiar with TN filings. Focusing your search on these sectors cuts down the employer education burden significantly.
Request a TN support letter before accepting any offer
Ask the employer to draft your TN support letter during negotiations, not after signing. The letter must specify your job duties, your degree field, and the employer's intended use of your services. Missing details cause CBP denials at the border.
Search for TN-eligible roles at employers with visa experience
Use Migrate Mate to filter Operations Director openings at employers with recent visa filings. It surfaces roles where employers have demonstrated experience with visa sponsorship, so you spend less time screening and more time applying.
Prepare for Mexican nationals' annual cap implications
If you hold Mexican citizenship, TN visas are capped at 5,500 per fiscal year under USMCA. Apply early in the fiscal year and confirm your employer understands the allocation timeline to avoid delays in your start date.
Bring original degree transcripts when entering at the border
Canadian Operations Director candidates applying at a port of entry need original or certified-copy transcripts, not photocopies. CBP officers adjudicate TN petitions on the spot, and missing documentation results in immediate denial with no appeal process available that day.
Operations Director jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Operations Director JobsOperations Director TN Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Operations Director role actually qualify for TN visa status?
Operations Directors can qualify under the TN Management Consultant category, but the job duties must reflect strategic management consulting functions rather than internal administrative oversight. CBP looks at how the role is described in the employer's support letter. If your duties emphasize optimizing organizational processes or advising leadership on operational strategy, you're on stronger footing than if the letter reads as a general manager description.
How does the TN visa compare to H-1B for Operations Director roles?
The TN visa has significant structural advantages over H-1B for this role. There's no annual lottery, no cap for Canadian citizens, and no lengthy USCIS petition process. Canadian applicants can receive TN status at a port of entry the same day. The trade-off is that TN requires an active employer relationship and doesn't offer a direct path to permanent residency the way H-1B can, so it suits professionals focused on a defined U.S. assignment rather than long-term immigration.
What credentials does my employer need to verify before filing?
Your employer needs a copy of your bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as business administration, industrial engineering, or management, plus a detailed offer letter outlining your duties and the TN category being claimed. Some employers also run an E-Verify check as part of their standard onboarding process. Having certified transcripts and a credential evaluation ready in advance prevents delays once an offer is extended.
How do I find Operations Director roles where employers already know how to sponsor TN visas?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for Canadian and Mexican professionals seeking U.S. roles with TN visa sponsorship. You can search for Operations Director positions filtered by sponsorship status, which surfaces employers already prepared to support the filing. This avoids the common situation where you negotiate an offer and then discover the employer has never filed a TN petition before.
Can I switch employers once I'm working in the U.S. on a TN visa as an Operations Director?
Yes, but you must obtain a new TN authorization tied to the new employer before starting work. Your TN status is employer-specific, so your authorization with the previous company does not transfer. Canadian citizens can apply at a port of entry for the new employer's TN. Mexican nationals must file a new petition with USCIS. There is no grace period specifically designated for job changes, so timing the transition carefully with legal guidance is essential.
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