Director of Plant Operations (Decatur)

The Director, Plant Operations is a key member of the plant leadership team, responsible for the performance, strategy, and execution of all support manufacturing operations—including thermoforming, injection molding, copper tubing, fabrication, and related processes.

In this highly visible role, you will lead multi-shift operations, develop high-performing teams, and partner closely with Plant Leadership to ensure production goals are met safely, efficiently, and with world-class quality. This role blends operational excellence, people leadership, and continuous improvement to drive results across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and engagement.

Operational Management (35%)

• Lead and oversee multi-shift Support Operations through senior managers, with indirect responsibility for team leaders, process technicians, and hourly operators.
• Translate plant strategy into clear, measurable objectives for each functional area and leader.
• Establish and maintain rigorous daily production management, including hour-by-hour performance tracking, scrap reduction, and quality metrics.
• Partner with the Plant Manager and leadership staff to align operations with plant-level goals.
• Ensure appropriate salaried staffing levels and regularly review headcount and capability needs.
• Drive consistent communication across shifts, functional areas, and leadership teams.
• Maintain strong technical knowledge of operations and lead escalation, root cause analysis, and corrective action for operational abnormalities.
• Champion Lean manufacturing principles and ensure adherence to the Appliance Production System, standardized work, and escalation processes.
• Lead daily production and escalation meetings; communicate key issues, risks, and performance metrics.
• Ensure process stability through standardized work, 5S discipline, and continuous improvement.

Leadership & Talent Development (35%)

• Build, lead, and develop an energized, accountable Support Operations leadership team.
• Set expectations, provide ongoing coaching, and drive performance management for salaried leaders.
• Partner with Human Resources to recruit, develop, and retain critical manufacturing talent.
• Support training, upskilling, cross-training, and succession planning initiatives.
• Champion mentoring and career development across manufacturing disciplines, including thermoforming, process improvement, and appliance manufacturing.

Safety & Compliance (20%)

• Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, company safety policies, and environmental standards.
• Drive a strong safety culture through consistent adherence to LOTO, PPE, and safe work practices.
• Lead proactive safety initiatives and ensure accountability at all organizational levels.

Quality Excellence (10%)

• Develop and enforce quality standards to ensure all manufactured components meet specifications.
• Drive timely resolution of quality issues through corrective and preventive actions.
• Partner cross-functionally to continuously improve quality performance.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or management.
• Minimum of 10 years in progressive manufacturing or technical leadership roles.
• Strong manufacturing operational background and understanding.
• Relevant experience leading multiple shifts within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor, develop, grow, and maintain skilled teams.
• Fluent with Lean manufacturing principles.
• Strong communication skills – will be expected to communicate to all levels of the organization (from the plant floor up to executive staff members).
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of deliverables and drive decisions based on the overall goals of the company.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with advanced thermoforming technologies, plastics manufacturing and extrusion systems.
• Strong understanding of employee relations and maintaining a positive employee relations environment.
• Experience implementing and/or operating under Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) system.