Manufacturing Managing Director

Navigate Search; New Jersey; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Navigate Search is seeking a Managing Director to lead a manufacturing facility, driving performance through strategic leadership, safety, and financial stewardship. The role emphasizes operational excellence, customer focus, and sustainable growth within a fast-paced environment.

You will shape the plant's strategic direction, oversee production and maintenance, and mentor senior teams while ensuring compliance and continuous improvement across all functions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a mechanical/industrial/business field.
• 7–10+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing leadership roles.
• Proven experience driving continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and safety performance.
• Extensive P&L management experience including budgeting and profitability initiatives.
• Experience in a matrixed organization and Lean/Six Sigma knowledge.
• Fluency in English; Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the plant's strategic plan aligned with corporate objectives.
• Oversee production, quality, maintenance, and logistics to drive operational performance.
• Lead Lean, Six Sigma, 5S and other CI initiatives to improve productivity and quality.
• Own P&L, budgeting, financial planning, cost optimization, and capital investments.
• Develop and mentor high‑performing management and operations teams.
• Build strong customer and stakeholder relationships and identify growth opportunities.
• Drive product portfolio development and optimization for profitable growth.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and safety.
• Foster transparent communication and alignment across the organization.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operational excellence

P&L management

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Team leadership

Communication

Project management

Strategic planning

Change management

Sales exposure

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering / related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Data warehousing

IT processes and business systems

Job description

We are seeking an accomplished Managing Director to lead and oversee all aspects of a manufacturing facility, driving business performance through strategic leadership, operational excellence, financial stewardship, and effective people management.

This is a key leadership position responsible for ensuring the achievement of business goals and objectives while maintaining a strong culture of safety, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

The Managing Director will play a critical role in ensuring the plant remains competitive, operationally efficient, customer-focused, and positioned for sustainable growth.

Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Define and execute the plant's strategic plan in alignment with corporate objectives, business goals, and long-term growth strategies.
• Safety & Compliance: Champion a strong safety-first culture, ensuring compliance with internal processes, contractor requirements, and all applicable regulatory standards.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee all aspects of plant operations, including production, quality, maintenance, and logistics. Drive operational performance through Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, 5S, and other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Financial Management: Take full ownership of the plant's financial performance, including P&L management, budgeting, financial planning, cost optimization, and capital investment decisions.
• Team Leadership: Build, develop, and inspire high-performing management and operational teams while fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Customer & Stakeholder Relationships: Establish and maintain strong relationships with customers and key stakeholders while identifying market trends, emerging opportunities, and potential avenues for business growth.
• Product Portfolio Development: Drive product portfolio development and optimization to support profitable growth and sustainability objectives.
• Process Improvement: Identify, develop, and implement initiatives that enhance productivity, product quality, operational efficiency, and overall plant performance.
• Talent Development: Coach, mentor, and develop direct reports through ongoing feedback, succession planning, training, and leadership development initiatives.
• Communication & Alignment: Promote transparent communication, collaboration, and organizational alignment across all levels of the business.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Economics, or a related discipline.
• 7–10+ years of progressive leadership experience as a Plant Manager, Operations Manager, Production Manager, Managing Director, or in a similar senior manufacturing leadership position.
• Demonstrated experience leading fast-paced, competitive, cost-driven manufacturing operations, ideally within a process manufacturing environment.
• Proven track record of driving continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and strong safety performance.
• Extensive P&L management experience, with demonstrated success overseeing budgets, financial KPIs, cost management, and profitability initiatives.
• Experience working within a complex, matrixed organizational structure.
• Strong knowledge and practical application of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, statistical methodologies, and continuous improvement tools.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 quality management systems and standards.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including team development, coaching, talent management, and succession planning.
• Excellent communication, organizational, project management, and strategic planning skills.
• Ability to drive results, influence stakeholders, manage competing priorities, and lead organizational change across multiple levels of the business.
• Previous B2B sales exposure is preferred.
• Fluency in English is required; Spanish language proficiency is preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, along with experience in data warehousing, IT processes, and business systems.
• Flexibility to travel and work schedules outside standard business hours as business needs require.