Director of Plant Operations

Plastic Executive Recruiters; Illinois; On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

A leading manufacturer in plastic solutions is seeking a Director of Manufacturing / Plant Operations in Illinois. The role involves leading large-scale production facilities with a focus on thermoforming and extrusion processes. Candidates should have over 10 years of manufacturing leadership experience and proven success in scaling operations. The position offers strategic leadership opportunities and emphasizes developing high-performing teams. Relocation assistance is available, but remote work options are not provided.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• Experience managing facilities with 300+ employees.
• Strong background in thermoforming or extrusion manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of plant operations including thermoforming, extrusion, and supply chain.
• Drive performance across safety, quality, productivity, and cost.
• Implement Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Manufacturing leadership

Plastics manufacturing

Lean Manufacturing

Operations management

Team building

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or related field

Job description

Director of Manufacturing / Plant Operations

Thermoforming & Extrusion Manufacturing

A leading manufacturer of thermoformed plastic packaging solutions is seeking an experienced Director of Manufacturing / Plant Operations to lead a large-scale production facility.

This role provides strategic and operational leadership across thermoforming, extrusion, cleanroom manufacturing, assembly, maintenance, quality, and supply chain operations.

The successful candidate will bring deep experience in plastics manufacturing environments, particularly thermoforming and extrusion processes, and will have a proven ability to scale operations, build strong teams, and implement world-class manufacturing systems.

This position plays a key role in expanding manufacturing capacity, driving operational excellence, and supporting continued company growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of plant operations including thermoforming, extrusion, cleanroom manufacturing, assembly, quality, maintenance, and supply chain
• Drive operational performance across safety, quality, productivity, and cost
• Implement Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives to optimize plant performance
• Establish and maintain KPI-driven manufacturing systems focused on throughput, efficiency, and product quality
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistent, scalable production
• Lead plant expansion initiatives, including equipment installation, capacity planning, and workforce growth
• Build and mentor a strong operations leadership team, including production, engineering, maintenance, and quality leaders
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Ensure manufacturing processes meet cleanroom standards and quality requirements
• Partner with executive leadership to support long-term operational strategy and growth

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of manufacturing leadership experience
• Experience managing large manufacturing facilities with 300+ employees
• Strong background in plastics manufacturing, preferably within thermoforming or extrusion
• Experience operating within cleanroom manufacturing environments
• Proven track record implementing Lean Manufacturing, SOPs, and operational improvementsExperience scaling production capacity or supporting plant expansion initiatives
• Strong leadership experience building and developing high-performing manufacturing teams
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or related field

Important Notes:

This position is listed in several nearby locations that are closely aligned with the actual worksite. Relocation assistance is available for the right candidate. Please note that this role is not eligible for remote or hybrid work.