Plant Director

Spherical Search; Chicago Heights (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in glass packaging for the pharmaceutical industry is seeking a Plant Director for their Chicago Heights facility. The role involves overseeing operations, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards, and leading a team to achieve production goals. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in manufacturing leadership and a strong background in regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in manufacturing, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience in managing large-scale production operations.
• Certification in Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of facility operations for pharmaceutical glass packaging.
• Lead, motivate, and develop a team across production, quality, and logistics.
• Ensure compliance with GMP and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Analytical Skills

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Management, or Chemistry

Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Direct message the job poster from Spherical Search

Founder & Director at Spherical Search | Executive Search & Talent Solutions | Pharma Services & Manufacturing

Spherical Search has partnered with an industry-leading manufacturer of glass packaging for the pharmaceutical, food & cosmetic industries. The company is a multi-billion-dollar international company manufacturing on all continents of the world.

We are currently seeking a Plant Director to lead operations at their Chicago Heights, Illinois facility.

Position Summary:

The Plant Director will have responsibility for overseeing all aspects of the facility's operations, ensuring the efficient, safe, and compliant manufacturing of high-quality pharmaceutical glass packaging products. The director will manage a team of associates with responsibilities in safety, production, quality control, supply chain, and maintenance, to assure operational objectives are achieved. The Plant Director will collaborate with management and union leadership to foster a culture of trust and transparency ensuring the facility operates at maximum efficiency while exceeding industry regulations and customer expectations.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Responsible for organizational oversight of site personnel.

Essential Accountabilities:

Leadership & Team Management:

• Lead, motivate, and develop a team of department managers and staff across production, quality, maintenance, and logistics.
• Foster a culture of Safety, Quality, accountability, and continuous improvement through the plant and sister plants as well.
• Ensure effective communication across all departments to maintain operational alignment.
• Establish KPI’s for all aspects of the business and facilitate improvement through KPI management.

Production Management:

• Oversee the daily manufacturing processes to ensure adherence to production schedules, quality standards, and efficiency targets.
• Implement and maintain production planning and scheduling processes to optimize plant output.
• Address and resolve any production bottlenecks or issues promptly.

Quality Control & Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and all relevant regulatory requirements for pharmaceutical packaging.
• Oversee the implementation of stringent quality control processes to maintain high product standards.
• Lead audits and inspections, ensuring facility is consistently audit-ready for internal, customer, and regulatory audits.

Cost Management & Budgeting:

• Develop and manage annual operating budgets for the plant, ensuring cost-effective use of resources.
• Identify areas for cost savings and operational efficiencies without compromising quality or safety.
• Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to production, cost, quality, and safety.

Safety & Environmental Stewardship:

• Ensure adherence to all safety protocols and environmental regulations set forth by the state are complied with.
• Promote a culture of safety through training, regular safety audits, and proactive risk mitigation.
• Oversee the resolution of safety hazards and ensure compliance with environmental laws and sustainability initiatives.

Maintenance & Equipment Management:

• Ensure the timely maintenance, repair, and servicing of equipment to avoid unplanned downtime.
• Oversee the implementation of a preventive maintenance program.
• Evaluate and invest in new equipment or technology to enhance productivity and efficiency.

Supply Chain & Inventory Management:

• Support the management of inventory levels from raw materials, WIP, and and finished products to meet customer demand and plant financial metrics
• Collaborate with the supply chain and procurement teams to ensure a smooth flow of materials to meet production schedules.
• Address any supply chain disruptions and work toward mitigating future risks.

Customer Relationship & Communication:

• Work closely with customers and the sales team to ensure customer requirements and expectations are met.
• Address any customer concerns regarding product quality or delivery in a timely manner.
• Ensure customer orders are processed accurately and delivered on time.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, 5S, or other industry best practices.
• Identify opportunities for process optimization, cost reduction, and waste minimization.
• Lead initiatives for innovation in production techniques or product offerings to remain competitive in the market.

Strategic Planning & Reporting:

• Collaborate with senior leadership on long-term strategic planning and facility growth.
• Provide regular reports and updates to senior management on plant performance, including financials, production metrics, and project statuses.
• Develop and implement long-term plans for facility upgrades, capacity expansions, or technological advancements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to manage sensitive and confidential situations with tact, professionalism, and diplomacy and work with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills with heightened attention to detail.
• Strong analytical skills and problem solving/conflict resolutions skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Management, Chemistry, or a related field. A Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), Operations Management, or a relevant technical field is preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in manufacturing, with at least 5 years in a leadership role within a glass manufacturing or pharmaceutical packaging environment.
• Proven experience in managing large-scale production operations, including overseeing production, maintenance, quality, and logistics functions.
• Extensive experience in compliance with regulatory standards (e.g., FDA, GMP, ISO) and a strong understanding of quality control in pharmaceutical packaging.
• Experience in budget management, cost control, and optimizing manufacturing processes for efficiency and profitability.
• Track record of successfully leading teams through continuous improvement initiatives, lean manufacturing, or Six Sigma projects.
• Certification in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma (Green Belt, Black Belt), or similar process improvement methodologies is highly preferred.
• Certification in Safety Management, OSHA compliance, or other relevant safety standards is a plus.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Ability to travel up to 15% as needed.

Work Schedule:

• High degree of availability on weekends and evenings due to the operation of 24/7 plant
• Subject to change based on business need
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Director

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Production, Manufacturing, and Management

• Industries

  Glass, Ceramics and Concrete Manufacturing, Packaging and Containers Manufacturing, and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

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