Operations Director-Plastics

Operations Director / General Manager
About the Opportunity

The Operations Director is responsible for leading and scaling manufacturing operations across the organizations' plastic sheet extrusion, profile extrusion, recycling, and related manufacturing processes. This role oversees production, quality, maintenance, safety, materials management, process optimization, and team leadership to ensure operational excellence while supporting company mission of replacing outdated, unsustainable building materials with high-performance recycled alternatives.

The Operations Director will drive continuous improvement, manufacturing efficiency, profitability, and team development in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment. This leader must balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution while fostering a culture rooted in innovation, accountability, collaboration, sustainability, and safety.

Key Responsibilities:
Operational Leadership

• Lead day-to-day manufacturing operations across multiple production processes.
• Develop and execute operational strategies that support growth, profitability, quality, and customer demand.
• Drive production planning, scheduling, and performance against key operational metrics.
• Build scalable systems and processes to support future expansion.
• Partner with executive leadership to align operational priorities with business objectives.

Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement

• Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Improve throughput, reduce waste, and enhance operational efficiency.
• Support new product introductions, process development, and manufacturing innovation.
• Identify and implement automation and productivity improvements.
• Drive sustainability-focused manufacturing practices.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and develop supervisors, technicians, and production teams.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Support recruiting, training, succession planning, and employee engagement initiatives.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with quality standards, customer requirements, and regulatory expectations.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective action efforts.
• Champion a culture where safety, quality, and operational discipline are non-negotiable.

Maintenance & Supply Chain Coordination

• Oversee preventive maintenance and equipment reliability programs.
• Support capital equipment planning and facility expansion initiatives.
• Collaborate with procurement and supply chain teams to ensure material availability and inventory accuracy.
  

Qualifications
Required

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 7+ years of manufacturing leadership experience in plastics, extrusion, or related industrial environments.
• Experience managing high-volume production operations and cross-functional teams.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, quality systems, and operational metrics.
• Experience with manufacturing equipment, automation, and process optimization.
• Strong leadership, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience using ERP/MRP and production management systems.

Preferred

• Experience in recycled plastics, sustainable manufacturing, or circular economy operations.
• Experience with sheet extrusion and/or profile extrusion processes.
• Lean and/or Six Sigma certification.
• Startup, scale-up, or high-growth manufacturing experience.
• Experience launching new facilities or expanding manufacturing capacity.

Core Competencies

• Operational Excellence
• Strategic Leadership
• Continuous Improvement
• Team Development
• Accountability
• Innovation & Adaptability
• Problem Solving
• Safety Leadership
• Communication & Collaboration
• Sustainability Mindset

Success Metrics

• Achievement of production and delivery goals.
• Reduction in scrap, downtime, and operational inefficiencies.
• Improvement in safety and quality performance.
• Team engagement, retention, and development.
• Successful execution of growth and scalability initiatives.

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive compensation package including performance incentives, benefits, and significant growth opportunities within a rapidly expanding manufacturing organization.