Welcome to Tomorrow

We believe that effective leaders don't simply seek "jobs"; they seek organizations with a compelling story, exceptional colleagues, and room for continued growth. As you scroll through this page, you will gain a better understanding of Pentair's narrative, where the company has been, and where it is going.

Director of Operations (Sanford)

Pentair

Pentair is one of the world's leading global producers of Water solutions generating over $4B in annual revenue across all major categories including Pool, Commercial Water solutions and Industrial Flow technologies, selling their products across multiple regions around the globe including North America, South America, Europe and Australia. Following its official start in 1966, Pentair's first few decades of history were decorated in ups and downs as the company entered and exited varying industries including research balloons, paper production, power tools (Delta/Porter Cable), enclosures, and electrical solutions, seemingly searching for its mainstay identity. This dynamic changed in 2004 when Pentair officially entered the Water Solutions space via a strategic acquisition of Wicor Industries. The next 20 years of Pentair's history have been earmarked by successes in growing into one of the most powerful, pure play Water Solutions companies across the globe. In 2018, the final non-water business of Pentair's was divested, leaving room for continued laser-focus and investment in growth across end-to-end Water Solutions.

Looking towards the future, the pool industry is projecting ~$8B of global growth over the next 4 years with significant innovation ahead tailored to the next generation of buyers focused on sustainability, energy efficiency, hygiene, and cleanliness. With this in mind, Pentair's executive team is seeking its next Director of Operations who will oversee one of their largest revenue sites, Sanford encompassing 300K square feet across three buildings, which manufacture products for Pentair's most well-established, $1.4B North American market leading Pool segment. This high-potential, business-focused leader will have the opportunity to step into a high-performing operation, elevate it through smart manufacturing and frontline digitization, drive tech-enabled continuous improvement, and, by aligning deeply with a strong culture and influencing across all levels of the organization, position Pentair for continued growth and market success. Most importantly, it is Pentair's mandate for this hire to show the ability to rise relatively quickly into higher levels within the organization.

A Foundation you can build on

Getting a sense of the foundation that has been built prior to your arrival offers a lens through which you can see where your career may go.

Pentair's Market Position

Pentair is a publicly traded leading global manufacturer and distributor of pool & spa equipment, high-quality water softening & filtration, industrial flow & pumping applications, commercial ice machines, water supply & disposal, and related products for both residential and commercial customers. With a rich history, the company has established itself as a leader in the water solutions industry through a relentless focus on innovation, quality, and customer service. They operate globally in more than 25 countries with over 11,250 global employees and are a preferred choice for individuals and businesses looking for high-quality water solutions.

History

In 1966, Pentair was founded by five individuals in St. Paul, Minnesota, with the name stemming from "penta" for the founders and "air" for their intended products. The company initially diversified across various industries, including paper mills, before evolving into a tool and eventually a water company. Throughout its history, Pentair has emphasized growth, profitability, and its commitment to creating a better world through innovative water solutions. In recent years, it has expanded its sustainability efforts and broadened its portfolio through strategic acquisitions.

Industry Fit

Over the past six decades, Pentair's Pool and Spa Solutions business has built a strong brand reputation and has become the preferred choice for residential or commercial customers looking for high-quality pool solutions. Customer success is at the heart of the organization as they craft best-in-class products like energy-efficient pool pumps, reliable filters, automation solutions, heaters, water features, valves, and LED lighting that put full pool control and enjoyment in the end-users hands.

Scale

Pentair as a whole brings in an impressive $4.1 billion in revenue, firmly establishing it as a market leader. Renowned for its commitment to excellence and top-notch customer service, Pentair has laid a robust foundation poised for significant expansion in market share. This growth potential is not merely theoretical; it is supported by the company's extensive cross-functional workforce, which is comprised of dedicated employees spanning various departments and expertise areas. This multidisciplinary team works in harmony to drive Pentair's Solutions, ensuring that it consistently meets and exceeds customer expectations on a global scale. With a customer base that spans the globe and numbers in the thousands, Pentair's reach is truly international, showcasing its capacity to serve and satisfy a diverse clientele.

Our Take On Pentair's Values

Customer Centricity

Pentair's leadership takes an offensive mindset in the marketplace focusing efforts and product innovation entirely around the customer. The company seeks seasoned leaders who are willing to fully integrate with distribution customers, ensuring a deep understanding of their needs, wants, and their challenges.

Operating with a Sense of Urgency

The team at Pentair recognizes that alongside excellence in quality, speed and agility are critical to staying ahead of the competition.

All in on Team

Pentair has built a culture where people recognize that the team is stronger than the individual - we win together, we lose together, and we work together through collaboration and respect

What You Will Be A Part Of

As a leader in Pentair's Pool enterprise, you will position the organization for its future, which requires an understanding of those around you, what they collectively stand for, and how they positively impact the world.

INTELLICENTER CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS

Hear directly from John, a Service Manager who partners with many Pentair pool customers, on the shift he's seen in customer interests over the last few years and how the Intellicenter Pool Control System is meeting the market demands.

THE IMPACT OF WATER

Check out this marketing video that highlights the impact Pentair's Commercial Water Solutions makes on millions of lives.

EXCITING NEW POOL LEADERSHIP AT PENTAIR

Learn more about recent key leadership announcements within Pentair's thriving Pool & Spa Solutions segment from this Pool Magazine article.

PENTAIRS INNOVATIVE POOL HOME APP

Check out Pentair's Smart Home app and range of connected products that take customers pool experience to the next level! Users can get status information, remotely monitor all of the water devices, access tools, and connect with a pro.

WHY POOL LIGHTING MATTERS

Hear directly from Pentair's product team about how dynamic, high-qualty, LED pool lighting makes all the difference for Pool & Spa customers.

THE BEST IN POOL AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS

Learn more about Pentair's smart pool automation solutions which aim to make pool management more effortless, so that pool owners have more time to enjoy their backyard oasis.

The Company You’ll Keep

Who you’ll work with is often more important than the work itself. Get to know the Pentair leadership team you will be engaging with in this role.

Jonathan Sun

Chief Supply Chain Officer - Pool (Direct Manager)

Jonathan Sun is the dynamic Chief Supply Chain Officer for the Pool Division at Pentair, where he oversees global logistics, procurement, manufacturing and distribution to ensure seamless flow from innovation to installation. With robust experience in supply chain operations spanning diverse sectors, Jonathan brings a strategic lens to optimizing cost-to-serve, leveraging data-driven planning, and strengthening supplier networks to support growth and customer value. Since joining Pentair, he has been instrumental in driving end-to-end transformation—embedding sustainability and agility into the Pool business’s supply chain footprint. A graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, he blends an engineering mindset with business acumen to deliver high-quality, reliable pool and water solutions across the globe.

Greg Claffey

President and Chief Revenue Officer - Pool

Greg Claffey is a seasoned business professional with nearly 25 years of experience in Marketing, Sales, and Management at several distinguished organizations in the water products and solutions industry. Greg quickly climbed the ranks to executive leadership given his combination of a strong technical background with excellent business acumen, as is represented by his education where he received a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering from Boston University along with an Executive MBA from Duke University. As the current President of Pentair's Pool segment, Greg has dedicated the past 6 years of his career to driving high growth and profitability within Pentair. His responsibilities as President of Pool encompass leading multi-million dollar business units, overseeing Heating, Lighting, Cleaning, Filtration, and other related Pool & Spa solution teams across multiple global facilities. Known for his expertise in lean operations and mechanical & industrial engineering, he thrives on the challenges of growing dynamic businesses and solving complex problems. Colleagues would describe him as a go-to global executive who excels in execution, remains calm under pressure, and prioritizes teamwork and results over personal recognition.

Jerome Pedretti

Chief Executive Officer - Pool

Jerome is the articulate and well respected Chief Executive Officer of the Pool Segment at Pentair. With over two decades of experience in operational leadership, Jerome has a proven track record of driving growth and innovation in the industrial and consumer sectors. He joined Pentair in 2008 and has held various leadership positions within the company, including overseeing key divisions such as Industrial and Flow Technologies. He is known for his strategic vision, customer-centric approach, and commitment to delivering energy-efficient, high-quality pool and water solutions. He holds an engineering degree from École Centrale de Lyon in France and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, bringing a unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen to his role.

Marc Christopherson

Group Chief Human Resources Officer - Pool

Dan Bennett

General Manager - Pool Heaters & Pumps

Laura Bednasz

General Manager - Pool Automation & Lights

Trent Davis

General Manager - Pool Water Quality

A Day in the Life

The Director of Operations and site leader for the 56-acre, 3 building Sanford, NC manufacturing campus, will lead a large ~500 person team across 3 separate product lines including full frame site responsibility of quality, EHS, master scheduling, engineering, lean management, and site administration.

With a strong team and well-established operation already in place, there remains meaningful opportunity to drive continued growth and operational excellence. This leader will be responsible for preserving the high-performing culture while evaluating the current state of the business, analyzing key financial and operational metrics, and prioritizing high-impact initiatives to elevate performance. In close partnership with Jonathan Sun, Chief Supply Chain Officer, this individual will translate enterprise priorities into site-level strategy and execution, ensuring alignment, consistency, and measurable results across the organization.

A core part of the role involves looking ahead and shaping the next evolution of the site—leading lean and continuous improvement efforts, driving robotics and smart-manufacturing initiatives, and accelerating digitization across frontline production. This leader will evaluate emerging technologies, explore AI-enabled innovation opportunities, and guide teams through implementation with a hands-on, approachable leadership style. Moreover, this leader will be joining a relatively talented team and will continue building the strategic foundation for succession paths from ground level roles through senior leadership. Throughout the day, this executive will have the opportunity to interact fluidly across all levels of the organization, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Beyond advancing continuous improvement, technology, and innovation at the site, this role plays a critical part in Pentair’s senior executive succession plan. The mandate for this hire is clear: to deliver meaningful impact today while demonstrating the capability, curiosity, and ambition to rise quickly into broader enterprise leadership. We are looking for a leader who embraces challenge, sees opportunity in transformation, and is inspired to build a long-term future at Pentair—growing with the organization as they help shape its next chapter.

Responsibilities

Promote a collaborative leadership environment and coordinate with cross-functional teams to exceed customer expectations.
Provide leadership in safety awareness and employ advanced methodologies to maintain a safe workplace environment.
Lead and drive the rollout of Pentair’s safety culture program.
Mentor, coach, and develop the team to maintain and enhance a competitive edge and service to the customer; creating a strong succession plan and talented bench
Ensure all members of the team understand high performance leadership expectations and are coached, evaluated, and fulfill expectations.
Ensure consistent adherence to quality standards/policies and drive improvements in quality processes.

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Partner with cross-functional teams to deliver on Quality transformation initiatives.
Develop Annual Operating Plan and control budget ensuring continuous improvement and deliver on required return on investment and strategic goals.
Establish and drive our 5-year strategy for both digital and automation transformation to increase efficiency and reduce time to market (Lead Time)
Support the development of a range of products that will increase our market share or expand our market potential.
Collaborate with executive leadership to develop short and long-term goals for the site aligned with Pentair Corporate via Strategy Deployment.
Drive a continuous improvement philosophy utilizing the Toyota Production Systems Lean Manufacturing (TPS).
Ensure that the team operates consistently within the policies and procedures of Pentair Pool Products and Pentair Corporation.
Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in related field and a minimum of 10 years of manufacturing management experience.
Master’s degree preferred.
Experience in ERP and SAP preferred
Automation, Digital, and/or Smart Manufacturing experience preferred
Operations management experience
Lean Manufacturing environment and implementation experience.

Link to Full Job Description

What You Bring to the Table

Cultural Alignment

This leader will not only need to align with Pentair's collaborative, high-performance culture but actively elevate it—bringing the humility, poise, and executive presence needed to build trust across every level of the organization. This individual must be adept at engaging seamlessly with frontline teams and senior executives alike, fostering alignment, clarity, and momentum that strengthens the enterprise and drives shared success.

Strategic while Executing with Rigor

A leader who has the ability to think strategically, set long term goals for the organization, while being detail oriented in executing said plans and addressing challenges real-time for the business and its stakeholders. A leader who effectively bridges the gap between strategic vision and day-to-day operations.

Hungry for Continuous Improvement

Despite its market-leading position, Pentair seeks a seasoned leader who never rests on their laurels and is hungry for continuous improvement—someone who leverages technology, innovation, and operational rigor to keep the business on the cutting edge. This individual must pair sharp financial and strategic acumen with an unrelenting drive to assess the current state, identify opportunities, and elevate performance in ways that deliver meaningful value to customers and the business.