Plant Director

Plant Director Bartlett, IL (Fully Onsite) Bilingual English - Spanish mandatory. Do not apply if you are not fluent in Spanish. Industry : Mandatory food and beverage or pet food manufacturing. Company Overview Our client is a well-established international food manufacturing company with a strong global presence and a rapidly growing footprint in the United States. The organization combines an entrepreneurial mindset with a fast-paced, highly operational environment focused on quality, innovation, and continuous improvement. This is not a traditional corporate structure. Leadership is deeply involved in day-to-day operations, priorities may shift quickly, and successful individuals are those who thrive in ambiguity while maintaining strong ownership, accountability, and operational discipline. The company strongly values: • Stability and long-term commitment • Adaptability and flexibility • Initiative and ownership mentality • Direct communication and transparency • Cross-functional collaboration • Humility and hands-on leadership style Position Overview We are seeking a highly operational and hands-on Director of Plant Operations to lead multiple manufacturing operations and oversee the full production organization within a complex food manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence across production, safety, quality, efficiency, continuous improvement, and organizational development . The Plant director will serve as a key operational leader, ensuring alignment between manufacturing operations and overall business objectives while maintaining a strong presence on the production floor. This is a highly visible leadership role requiring both strategic thinking and daily operational execution. Key Responsibilities Operations Leadership • Lead day-to-day operations across 3 manufacturing facilities within a fast-paced food production environment • Maintain a highly visible presence on the production floor and actively support daily operational execution • Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to production leadership teams • Ensure production schedules are executed safely, efficiently, and in alignment with business needs • Drive accountability and operational discipline across all levels of manufacturing operations • Support organizational development and succession planning within the operations team Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence • Lead and promote Continuous Improvement initiatives focused on productivity, efficiency, waste reduction, and operational performance • Drive Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, TPM, RCA, CAPA, and CI methodologies throughout the organization • Analyze operational processes and identify opportunities for optimization across production lines and manufacturing systems • Establish and monitor operational KPIs, implementing corrective actions when necessary • Support implementation of operational improvements, process standardization, and efficiency initiatives Safety, Quality & Compliance • Champion a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and operational ownership • Ensure compliance with OSHA, FDA, USDA, GMP, HACCP, and internal food safety standards • Partner closely with Quality, Sanitation, Maintenance, and Engineering teams to support operational excellence • Lead operational response and follow-up related to safety, quality, and compliance issues • Ensure manufacturing operations consistently meet quality standards and customer expectations Financial & Strategic Responsibilities • Manage plant operating budgets and support capital expenditure planning • Participate in long-range operational planning and future manufacturing expansion initiatives • Drive cost reduction initiatives while maintaining operational performance and product quality • Support operational strategies focused on profitability, efficiency, and sustainable growth Cross-Functional Collaboration • Collaborate closely with Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Quality, HR, and Executive Leadership teams • Support new product introductions and operational readiness initiatives • Participate in operational meetings and leadership reviews as required • Foster strong communication and alignment across departments Qualifications & Experience • 10+ years of leadership experience within i nternational or multi-site manufacturing organizations • Strong background managing large-scale production environments with multiple production lines • Experience within complex manufacturing environments involving operational variability, multiple SKUs, and fast-paced production • Fresh food manufacturing experience strongly preferred • Proven experience driving Continuous Improvement and operational efficiency initiatives • Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, TPM, RCA, CAPA, and CI methodologies • Demonstrated ability to lead teams, develop people, and build operational structure • Strong understanding of OSHA, FDA, USDA, GMP, and HACCP regulations • Experience managing plant operations within highly operational and hands-on manufacturing cultures • Exposure to capital projects , operational planning, and manufacturing expansion initiatives preferred • Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Operations Management, Food Science, Engineering, or related field preferred • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and manufacturing-related systems/applications • Ability to work flexible hours when operationally required Key Leadership Competencies • Hands-on, shop floor-oriented leadership • Strong operational presence and accountability • Ability to balance strategy and execution • Problem-solving and decision-making skills • Adaptability in fast-paced environments • Collaborative, cross-functional mindset • Strong communication and team development abilities • Continuous Improvement mindset • Ability to drive change and operational efficiency Compensation • ABS (DOE) • Bonus: 20% • Full Benefits Package (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k Match, PTO, Relocation, Visa sponsorship for Mexican, Italian or Canadian citizens)