Director of Plant Operations
We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Director of Plant Operations to lead and oversee the critical functions of manufacturing operations, supply chain management, engineering, and health & safety within our factory. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills and a proven track record of optimizing production processes, managing cross-functional teams, ensuring product quality, and maintaining a seamless supply chain.
This executive-level role will be responsible for setting strategic direction and ensuring the day-to-day operations of the factory align with overall organizational goals. The Director of Plant Operations will drive operational excellence, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and ensure all departments are performing efficiently and in alignment with business objectives.
Key Responsibilities:
Manufacturing Operations:
- Provide strategic oversight for all aspects of manufacturing operations, ensuring efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and high-quality output.
- Develop and implement long-term manufacturing strategies and production plans that align with organizational goals.
- Monitor and improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), optimizing downtime and operational inefficiencies.
- Lead initiatives to drive lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement across all production lines.
Supply Chain Management:
- Oversee the end-to-end supply chain function, including procurement, logistics, inventory management, and material flow.
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, vendors, and logistics partners to ensure smooth operations and timely deliveries.
- Drive the development and implementation of supply chain strategies to meet production requirements while optimizing costs and inventory levels.
- Collaborate with other departments to ensure timely and accurate demand forecasting to support production schedules.
Engineering:
- Lead the engineering function in maintaining and improving production processes, implementing new technologies, and supporting the development of new products.
- Work closely with engineering teams to introduce automation and process innovations to improve production efficiency and reliability.
- Ensure that engineering projects align with the strategic direction of the organization and are executed on time and within budget.
- Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, and quality standards in all engineering operations and product designs.
Health & Safety:
- Oversee plant-wide health and safety programs, ensuring a safe work environment that complies with all relevant regulations and industry standards.
- Promote a strong safety culture, ensuring that all employees are trained, engaged, and accountable for workplace safety.
- Implement proactive risk assessments and corrective actions to minimize hazards and incidents.
Leadership and Team Management:
- Lead, mentor, and inspire cross-functional teams across manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, and health & safety.
- Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement while ensuring teams are aligned with organizational goals.
- Provide strategic direction and operational guidance to department heads and managers, ensuring alignment across all functions.
- Drive talent development through coaching, training, and performance management initiatives.
Reporting, Compliance, and Cross-Functional Collaboration (UPDATED):
- Regularly report on operational performance, including manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, and health & safety metrics to senior management.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, environmental, and labor regulations, promoting a safe work environment.
- Provide leadership in the development and management of budgets, KPIs, and performance metrics for the manufacturing operations.
- Work closely with Quality, Sales, Marketing, Human Resources and Finance teams to ensure strong alignment between operations and broader business objectives.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, or a related field (Master's preferred).
- Proven experience (10+ years) in a senior leadership role overseeing manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, and health & safety operations, ideally in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
- Extensive knowledge of lean manufacturing, advanced supply chain management, engineering principles, and workplace health & safety standards.
- Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence at all organizational levels.
- Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities with a focus on driving operational excellence.
- Experience managing multi-departmental teams and ensuring collaboration across functions.
- Familiarity with ERP systems, production planning software, and quality management tools.
- Knowledge of health, safety, environmental regulations, and industry standards.
- Strong financial acumen, with experience in budgeting, forecasting, and cost optimization.
Why Join Us?
- Collaborative and supportive work environment.
- Competitive compensation and benefits package.
- Company events
- Benefits from first day of employment
- 401k with employer match
We sincerely thank each applicant for their interest in our company.
Be assured that we will pay the closest attention to your application.