Plant Director – General Manager

TH BENDER; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company specializing in advanced materials for various industries seeks an operational leader to enhance plant performance. This executive role will optimize metrics related to delivery, cost, and quality while ensuring compliance with health and safety standards. The ideal candidate will drive continuous improvement initiatives and align operations with strategic business goals.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of operational leadership experience in manufacturing.
• Expertise in mid-sized, make-to-order environments.
• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead plant operations focused on continuous improvement and efficiency.
• Manage budgets and oversee equipment maintenance.
• Develop and retain talent through training programs.

Skills

Operational leadership

Continuous improvement

Lean manufacturing

Cost control

Talent development

SAP/ERP proficiency

Health and safety compliance

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

Job description

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Our client is a global engineering and manufacturing company specializing in advanced materials for industries such as automotive, industrial manufacturing, energy, and related markets. With a strong international track record and focus on innovation, they offer an exciting opportunity for an experienced operational leader to drive plant performance and support broader business goals.

The ideal candidate will be leveraging ERP systems for planning, overseeing budgets and maintenance, implementing continuous improvement initiatives, and aligning operations with strategic business objectives and market demands. This role is responsible for optimizing plant performance in delivery, productivity, cost, quality, and inventory while ensuring compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards.

Success in this role requires strong operational expertise in mid-sized, high-complexity, make-to-order manufacturing environments, with a focus on metrics, talent development, and customer satisfaction.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead plant operations with a focus on continuous improvement, innovation, and efficiency.
• Optimize performance metrics across delivery, cost, quality, and inventory.
• Use SAP/ERP systems for capital planning, capacity development, and operational planning.
• Manage plant budgets with strong cost control and reduction initiatives.
• Oversee equipment maintenance to ensure plant reliability.
• Develop and retain talent through training and workforce development.
• Implement policies that align with company culture and support sustainable growth.
• Stay updated on industry trends and drive operational enhancements.
• Provide operational performance reports to executive leadership.
• Collaborate closely with headquarters to align local and global strategies.
• 5+ years of operational leadership experience managing teams.
• Background in mid-sized, make-to-order manufacturing environments.
• Expertise in job-shop production of high-complexity, low-volume products.
• Experience with seasonal demand cycles, level-loading, and strategic planning.
• Skilled in plant development, machinery investment, and production line reorganization.
• Strong operational foundation in production, quality, asset management, and maintenance.
• Hands-on experience with lean manufacturing and Kaizen workshops.
• Proven track record leading a heavily Hispanic workforce.
• ERP (SAP preferred) proficiency for planning and operational processes.
• Strong understanding of health, safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Executive

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Manufacturing, Engineering, and Management

• Industries

  Manufacturing and Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

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