Plant Director

Plant Director

Relate Search has partnered with a leading manufacturer in the food and consumer packaged goods industry in their search for a Plant Director to lead manufacturing and functional operations at its Phoenix facility. This role will shape and execute the plant's manufacturing strategy while playing a critical role in customer satisfaction, business performance, and the development of a high-performing team. The ideal leader is hands-on, visible, and comfortable leading through change in a dynamic manufacturing environment. You will partner with maintenance, safety, and quality teams to strengthen systems, protect product quality, and drive sustainable operational performance.

Build, develop, and inspire a team of more than 400 employees while driving a culture of high performance, accountability, and collaboration.

Develop and execute manufacturing strategies that drive sustainable improvement, operational performance, and growth.

Lead preventative maintenance execution, downtime reduction, and continuous improvement initiatives to optimize plant performance and reliability.

Partner with maintenance, safety, quality, and other functional teams to ensure consistent systems that support product quality, safety, service, and business objectives.

Serve as a key customer interface and lead change management efforts that strengthen culture, processes, service, and results.

Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, operations management, or a related field.

10+ years of experience in plant management or senior production operations management within a food, beverage, or CPG manufacturing environment.

Experience leading large-scale manufacturing environments with multiple production lines, as well as warehouse and distribution operations.

Demonstrated success leading manufacturing operations, including production planning, safety, scheduling, line setup and changeover, production control, and production optimization.

Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with strategic experience using KPIs and Lean/continuous improvement tools such as TPM, Centerlines, CILs, defect handling, 5S, and SMED/quick changeover.

In-Office: Phoenix, Arizona.

Experience in private label, co-manufacturing, or private-equity-backed companies is a plus.

Relate Search is a Woman, Minority, and LGBTQIA+ owned executive and professional search firm dedicated to connecting top talent with meaningful opportunity. With deep expertise across Supply Chain & Operations, Technology, Sales & Marketing, Human Resources, and Accounting & Finance we deliver customized, people-first recruiting solutions that drive lasting impact.

Relate Search is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and are committed to building inclusive teams where everyone belongs. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.