A leadership vacancy, transition or growing operation can leave a gap in daily execution. Duggan embeds experienced operations leaders who manage the immediate priorities, coach the team and establish a working management system. The engagement is designed to leave clearer responsibilities and stronger operating capability after handover.
Roles we fill:
Duggan embeds experienced operations leaders who support daily execution while strengthening the management framework around it. That can include tiered meetings, Leader Standard Work, clear problem ownership and a daily follow-through routine.
The leader works alongside your team so the routines, responsibilities and learning remain useful after the engagement ends.
“Instead of adding more management pressure, the engagement created a repeatable system for communication, accountability, and decision-making. Daily issues became visible in the right forum, leaders were coached in role clarity and follow-through, and action items were framed to be completed within one business day rather than drifting into unresolved backlog.”
“Leadership confidence and client trust built quickly. Within the first two weeks, client feedback was described as glowing, with direct praise for the pace, drive, and quality of the work. A daily operating rhythm was established, and management capability was being built – not rented.”
— Results from Duggan’s Embedded Director of Operations engagement Growing manufacturer, discrete production environment
A growing manufacturer had strong people and clear ambitions, but lacked the management framework needed to translate goals into daily execution. Duggan embedded an interim Director of Operations who installed a three-tier meeting cadence, built Leader Standard Work across production and support roles, and established a 24-hour accountability loop. Within two weeks, client trust was established. Within the first month, reactive escalation was replaced by a defined daily operating rhythm.
Duggan Associates places experienced operations leaders into interim and embedded roles across manufacturing, production, and industrial environments. The process is straightforward – and deliberately fast.
Tell us the role, location, desired start date and the operational responsibilities that need coverage. We discuss the experience required, the immediate priorities and what the permanent team should be able to sustain after handover. Availability, scope and commercial terms are agreed for the engagement.
We match an experienced operations leader from our network to your specific situation. These are people who have managed plants, run production lines, and led operational turnarounds across manufacturing, defence, and industrial sectors. Typical mobilisation is two to four weeks.
Your embedded Operator steps into the business, establishes structure, and begins delivering immediately. They install a daily operating rhythm, define Leader Standard Work for key roles, coach frontline leaders, and build the management framework that converts what your team needs to do into a workable system for how.
Interim Operations Management
The engagement combines immediate operational leadership with the routines and capability needed for a practical handover.
Agree the leadership role, reporting line and decisions the embedded leader will own.
Connect team meetings, visible priorities, action ownership and follow-through around the work.
Help frontline and production leaders use standard work and make their responsibilities clear.
Discuss the routines, documentation, measures and team ownership needed when the engagement ends.
“The value was in providing a framework and structure to what the client already had in place — rather than simply maintaining the status quo. This is what an Embedded Director of Operations should do: not merely run the floor, but provide the structure and operating rhythm that helps a business get out of its own way.”
Interim Operations Management
How the approach works, and what it means for your operation.
We place experienced operations leaders into roles including Interim General Manager, Interim Plant Manager, Interim Production Manager, Interim VP Operations, Interim Director of Manufacturing, and Embedded Director of Operations. Every placement is someone with a manufacturing and industrial background – not a generalist from a staffing agency.
Typical mobilisation is two to four weeks from initial conversation. In urgent situations, we can often move faster depending on availability and the match to your operational context.
The leader supports daily execution while building operating structure: clear priorities, Leader Standard Work, tiered team meetings, accountability loops and a disciplined approach to resolving problems. They work with your team to strengthen the management routines your people will continue to use.
A recruiter finds candidates. We deploy operators. The people we place have run plants, led production teams, and built management systems across industrial environments. They install structure – Leader Standard Work, tiered meeting cadences, accountability loops – that outlasts the engagement. You get capability transfer, not just seat coverage.
The initial discussion covers the leadership gap, operational challenges and desired outcomes. We discuss responsibilities, the expected duration, commercial terms and the handover approach so the engagement fits your operation.
For some placements, a permanent hire may be possible by agreement. Availability and any conditions depend on the individual and the engagement. Tell us if permanent employment could be your longer-term aim, and we’ll clarify the options and any applicable fees before you proceed.
The engagement is designed to leave your team with practical routines, clear responsibilities and the capability to keep using them. Handover covers the agreed training, documentation, meeting structures and measures. Your team can continue using the Duggan materials provided for the engagement internally, subject to the agreement. Duggan retains ownership of its underlying tools and methodologies.
Yes – and it often does naturally. An embedded operator has deep visibility into your operation and can identify opportunities for flow design, facility layout, or value stream redesign that go beyond daily management. If the opportunity warrants it, Duggan has the methodology, the consultants, and four published books of codified methods to follow through. But there’s never pressure to expand – the interim engagement stands on its own.
Engagements are priced on an agreed day rate, with scope, initial duration, invoicing arrangements and notice requirements set out before work begins. Travel and other agreed expenses are discussed upfront. We’ll explain the commitment and costs for your situation so you can make an informed decision.
Tell us which role needs support, your location, target start date and the operational challenges the leader will face. We can discuss the experience, responsibilities and handover needed to strengthen daily execution and leave lasting capability with your team.
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Email thealey@dugganinc.com or call +1 (401) 601-7286 and we'll respond within 2 business days.
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Email thealey@dugganinc.com or call +1 (401) 601-7286 and we'll respond within 2 business days.
