Director of Operations

Ingenium Talent; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

A Louisville-area plastics recycling company is seeking a Director of Operations to guide the next phase of growth. This senior role partners with ownership to drive scalable processes, enhance performance, and support strategic initiatives across the site.

You will oversee all operations including production, maintenance, logistics, quality, safety, and inventory while building strong teams and implementing KPI-driven improvements in a family-owned setting south of Louisville, KY.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in plant operations and teams.
• Experience optimizing manufacturing processes and KPI-driven improvements.
• Strong communication with ownership and cross-functional partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead plant operations, production, maintenance, logistics, quality, safety and inventory management.
• Develop predictive and preventive maintenance programs to improve equipment reliability and uptime.
• Drive throughput, yield, labor efficiency and plant profitability.
• Lead capital projects, equipment upgrades, automation initiatives and plant expansions.
• Establish KPIs, SOPs and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Improve forecasting, production planning and operational predictability.
• Build and develop high-performing operations and maintenance teams.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Manufacturing

Strategic planning

Job description

I'm conducting a retained search for a growing, family-owned plastics recycling company located south of Louisville, KY that is seeking a Director of Operations to help lead the organization through its next phase of growth.

This highly visible leadership role will partner closely with ownership to improve operational performance, implement scalable processes, and support future growth initiatives. Key areas of

focus include:

• Leading all plant operations, production, maintenance, logistics, quality, safety, and inventory management
• Developing predictive and preventative maintenance programs to improve equipment reliability and uptime
• Driving throughput, material yield, labor efficiency, and overall plant profitability
• Leading capital projects, equipment upgrades, automation initiatives, and plant expansion efforts
• Establishing KPIs, standardized operating procedures, and a culture of continuous improvement
• Improving forecasting, production planning, and operational predictability
• Building and developing high-performing operations and maintenance teams

The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in plastics manufacturing, plastics recycling, post-industrial recycling, regrind, resin processing, compounding, or materials processing. Experience with shredding, grinding, extrusion, material handling, and plant leadership in a manufacturing environment is highly preferred.

This is an opportunity to make a significant impact within an entrepreneurial organization where the right leader will help shape the future of the business, infrastructure, and operations strategy.