Plant Director - Manufacturing Operations

Overview

The Plant Director is responsible for leading all aspects of plant operations, including production, maintenance, inventory control, safety, and workforce management, within a high-volume, cGMP-regulated manufacturing environment.

This role ensures operational excellence across all shifts, delivering products on time, at the highest quality standards, while driving efficiency, profitability, and continuous improvement.

The Plant Director reports directly to the VP of Manufacturing Operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily plant operations across production, maintenance, and inventory control
• Ensure all activities comply with cGMP, SOPs, and FDA regulations
• Drive operational efficiency, throughput, and on-time delivery across all shifts
• Lead scheduling and production planning to optimize output and minimize downtime 

• Ensure all products meet or exceed quality and customer expectations
• Maintain accurate production documentation, including batch records, QC logs, and packaging documentation
• Partner with Quality to ensure adherence to regulatory and internal standards

• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, leads, and production teams
• Conduct ongoing training programs, including:
  • Safety training
  • Operator/machine training
  • cGMP and batch record compliance
• Drive a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement
• Oversee performance management, including employee evaluations and development plans

• Own P&L performance for plant operations, driving profitability through:
  • Labor optimization and workforce planning
  • Process improvements and efficiency gains
  • Reduction of scrap, rework, and waste
  • Overtime management
• Implement systems and KPIs to track and improve productivity and cost performance

• Partner with Customer Service, Supply Chain, and Planning to ensure alignment on production schedules and customer commitments
• Communicate proactively on order status, risks, and production challenges
• Support business needs through flexibility and responsiveness in a fast-paced environment

• Ensure robust preventive maintenance programs are in place
• Maximize uptime and performance of all equipment and tooling
• Drive continuous improvement in equipment efficiency and reliability

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in high-volume manufacturing, with leadership at the Plant Director or equivalent level
• Strong background in nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, or regulated manufacturing environments
• Proven success managing multi-shift operations and large teams
• Hands-on experience with vitamin/supplement processing and packaging preferred

• Deep understanding of cGMP, FDA regulations, and SOP-driven environments
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems for production planning, inventory, and reporting
• Strong operational and financial acumen, including P&L ownership

• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and scale high-performing teams
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Track record of driving efficiency, quality, and cultural improvement

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, Engineering, or related field preferred
• Equivalent combination of education and progressive manufacturing leadership experience considered