Plant Director

Wabtec; Kąty Wrocławskie; On-site; PLN 350,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Wabtec in Poland is seeking a Plant Director to lead all plant manufacturing activities, including welding, CNC machining and final assembly, and to drive world-class SQDIC performance. You will partner with Engineering, Supply Chain and Quality while managing budgets, CapEx and talent development in a regulated railway environment.

You will champion EHS, quality standards like EN 15085, Lean initiatives, and a culture of continuous improvement, reporting to the Regional Operations Leader and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related technical field.
• 7–10 years of progressive operations management experience in heavy fabrication or complex production environments.
• Proven leadership of large manufacturing teams and multiple production functions.
• Experience in railway, automotive, aerospace or similarly regulated sectors.
• Strong knowledge of welding processes, CNC machining and multi-stage assembly environments.
• Lean Manufacturing: Value Stream Mapping, SMED, Kaizen, 5S, Six Sigma.
• Experience managing operational budgets, CapEx, and OpEx.
• Proficiency with ERP systems (SAP or Oracle) and MS Office.
• Fluency in English and Polish.

Responsibilities

• Lead plant operations including planning, welding, CNC machining and final assembly.
• Monitor and drive SQDIC performance and implement corrective actions.
• Manage budgets, workforce planning, capital investments, and cost optimization.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Supply Chain and Quality to improve efficiency.
• Develop and mentor production managers, engineers, technicians and operators.
• Ensure EHS compliance and adherence to railway quality standards.

Skills

Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Budgeting & Cost control

SAP or Oracle ERP

English & Polish

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical/Industrial Engineering or related field

Tools

SAP

Oracle ERP

Job description

You will work with a cross-functional manufacturing leadership team responsible for delivering high-quality railway products to customers across Europe and global markets. The team includes production supervisors, manufacturing engineers, quality professionals, supply chain specialists, maintenance teams, and EHS leaders. Collaboration with corporate functions, including Finance, HR, Engineering, Quality, and Operations leadership, is essential to ensure operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and business growth.

How will you make a difference?

As a Plant Director, you will be responsible for leading all manufacturing activities within the plant while driving world-class performance in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, and Cost (SQDIC). The Plant Manager will oversee production planning, welding operations, CNC machining, and final mechanical/electrical assembly processes to ensure customer commitments are met safely and efficiently.

This role provides strategic and operational leadership for the facility, ensuring compliance with railway industry standards and local regulations while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. You will partner closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and HR teams to develop talent, optimize production performance, manage budgets, and execute operational strategies that support business objectives. The position reports to the Regional Operations Leader and provides regular operational, financial, and performance updates to senior leadership.

What do we want to know about you?

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive operations management experience within a heavy fabrication, industrial manufacturing, or complex production environment.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing large manufacturing teams and multiple production functions.
• Proven experience within the railway, automotive, aerospace, or similarly regulated manufacturing sectors.
• Strong knowledge of certified welding processes, CNC machining operations, and multi-stage assembly environments.
• Practical expertise in Lean Manufacturing methodologies, including Value Stream Mapping, SMED, Kaizen, 5S, and Six Sigma principles.
• Experience managing operational budgets, capital expenditures (CapEx), and operational expenses (OpEx).
• Working knowledge of international quality standards, preferably IRIS / ISO TS 22163 and welding certification requirements such as EN 15085.
• Fluency in English and Polish, both written and verbal.
• Proficiency with ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle and advanced Microsoft Office skills.
• Excellent leadership, communication, problem-solving, negotiation, and strategic decision-making capabilities.

What will your typical day look like?

Operational Leadership & Execution

• Lead all plant operations, including production planning, welding, CNC machining, and final mechanical/electrical assembly activities.
• Monitor and drive performance against SQDIC objectives and implement corrective actions when required.
• Manage plant resources to ensure production targets, customer commitments, and operational goals are consistently achieved.
• Develop and manage operational budgets, workforce planning, capital investment projects, and cost optimization initiatives.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality teams to improve efficiency and support business objectives.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Champion a zero-harm culture by enforcing Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) policies and compliance with Polish regulations.
• Ensure adherence to railway industry quality standards, customer requirements, and certification obligations.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective action processes to improve quality, safety, and productivity.

Team Management & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop production supervisors, engineers, technicians, and operators.
• Partner with Human Resources to support workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, development, and retention strategies.
• Conduct performance reviews and succession planning to build organizational capability.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance work environment aligned with company values and Polish labor requirements.
• Maintain effective communication across all levels of the organization and support positive employee relations.

Legal authorization to work in the EU is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening.

Additional Information

What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First?

At Wabtec, it’s not just about a job - it’s about the impact you make. When our people come together, we’re Expanding the Possible by continuously improving what we do and how we do it - for our clients and each other.

When you’re ready to revolutionize how the world moves for future generations, Wabtec is the place for you.

Who are we?

Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for the freight and transit rail sectors. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, we are leading the way in safety, efficiency, reliability, innovation, and productivity. Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together – are accelerating the future of transportation. With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike.

Our global team of about 30,000 employees worldwide delivers performance that moves the world forward. We’re lifelong learners, obsessed with better. Learn more at www.WabtecCorp.com.

Culture powers us and the possibilities.

We believe the best ideas come from a mix of experiences and backgrounds. At Wabtec, we strive every day to create a place where everyone belongs. We’re building a culture where leadership, inclusion and your unique perspective fuel progress.

We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome talent of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including race, gender, age, disability, veteran status and more.

Need accommodation? Just let us know - we’ve got you.