Director of Plant Operations

HTI is assisting a global packaging company with their search for an experienced Director of Plant Operations for their recently opened manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, SC. This position is full-time and direct hire, with a salary range of $153,000 - $173,000 / year (depending on education and experience), plus bonus. The company offers excellent benefits, opportunities for growth, and a positive, collaborative work culture. A relocation allowance is available.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Management, or a similar area of study; MBA is a plus
• 8 years of proven success as a Director of Plant Operations, Plant Manager or Plant General Manager within the manufacturing industry, with full plant/site responsibility
• Plant leadership experience within the Packaging, Paper, Cardboard/Paperboard or FMCG industries is preferred but not required
• Must have previous full P&L management responsibility
• Plant start-up or expansion experience
• Strong continuous improvement and lean manufacturing background; Six Sigma certification preferred
• Proven success managing teams in a high-volume, semi-automated plant
• Experience with ISO 9001
• Previous leadership experience at a plant with at least 75 employees
• Experience with a manufacturing facility that produced packaging for the food industry that was FDA regulated or BRC/SQF (Safe Quality Food) certified is a plus
• “Safety First” mindset
• Proficiency with ERP systems and Microsoft Office
• Professional written and verbal communications skills
• Strong leadership and employee development/coaching skills, with the ability to build trust and engage employees through authentic and empowering leadership
• Ability to collaborate effectively across internal teams, celebrate shared success, and support others to achieve collective results

Summary:

Lead the operational management of the Spartanburg, SC facility, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality production across manufacturing, logistics, maintenance, and quality functions. This role is accountable for developing and executing operational strategies that align with business objectives, health and safety standards, and both short- and long-term business goals. They will ensure compliance with federal and state workplace regulations, drive continuous improvement to optimize results and reduce waste, manage budgets and performance metrics, and foster a culture of safety, accountability, and workforce development.

The plant is in full production for their customers at this time with ~60 total employees, including 5 department managers who will report directly to the Plant Manager. The company will expand production operations within the current facility in the next two years, at which time they will add additional machines/lines and team members.

Job Duties include:

• Champion a strong safety culture, ensuring compliance with company standards, and all federal/OSHA/state regulations
• Lead daily operations across manufacturing, logistics, maintenance, and quality to meet production schedules, safety standards, and exceed customer expectations
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and improve cost efficiency, quality, and service delivery
• Develop and implement innovative operational strategies aligned with short- and long-term business objectives
• Ensure effective utilization of systems and resources to optimize material flow, equipment performance, and workforce capability
• Oversee operational budgets, monitor expenses, and manage KPI’s, including OEE, safety, on-time delivery, and customer satisfaction
• Lead and develop cross-functional teams through coaching, performance management, and clear communication
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of operational performance, including maintenance, staffing, and business metrics
• Maintain compliance with ISO 9001, FDA, and other quality/industry regulations and requirements
• Oversee future CAPEX projects and machine installations, in conjunction with the Production Manager and the Maintenance Supervisor
• Partner with Human Resources team and external recruiting vendor on workforce planning and recruitment

Benefits include:

• Medical, vision, dental coverage, with 100% of employee premiums covered by the company
• 401K with company match
• PTO and paid holidays