What you'll do

Niron Magnetics is seeking a hands-on, execution-driven Plant Director with proven leadership experience in a chemical or process manufacturing environment to lead operations at our new Sartell, MN manufacturing facility. This role will begin as a key leader supporting plant start-up and commissioning and will transition into full ownership of site operations once the facility is operational. You will play a critical role in building the foundation of the plant and then leading it to sustained, high-performance execution.

Start-Up & Operational Readiness (Pre-Production Phase)
• Partner with start-up and engineering teams to support commissioning, equipment installation, and production ramp.
• Help stand up core operational systems, including safety programs, SOPs, maintenance plans, and production workflows.
• Recruit, onboard, and train the initial operations team in preparation for launch.
• Ensure readiness across staffing, processes, and systems to enable a successful transition to production.
• Support knowledge transfer from pilot operations into scalable plant execution.

Plant Operations & Production Ownership (Post-Start-Up)
• Assume full ownership of day-to-day plant operations, including production, maintenance, and materials flow.
• Deliver against production targets for output, yield, and on-time delivery.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to drive operational performance and accountability.
• Identify and resolve operational bottlenecks to ensure consistent throughput and efficiency.

Safety, Quality & Compliance
• Build and sustain a world-class safety culture from start-up through steady-state operations.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory, environmental, and company safety standards.
• Own plant quality systems to ensure products meet all specifications and customer requirements.
• Implement corrective and preventive actions to address safety and quality issues.

Team Leadership & Culture
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing plant team across operations, maintenance, and support functions.
• Establish clear expectations, accountability, and performance management systems.
• Reinforce Niron's culture, values, and mission as the site scales.
• Partner with the People Team on workforce planning, engagement, and retention.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
• Implement lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives across the plant.
• Drive improvements in efficiency, cost, yield, and cycle time.
• Standardize processes and ensure disciplined execution of operating procedures.
• Champion a data-driven approach to decision-making and performance management.

Systems, Processes & Infrastructure
• Stand up and optimize plant systems, including ERP, MES, and maintenance programs.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work instructions.
• Ensure robust preventive and predictive maintenance programs are in place.
• Build scalable infrastructure to support future growth and capacity expansion.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner closely with engineering, R&D, and start-up leadership to ensure successful process transfer and ramp.
• Collaborate with supply chain to ensure material availability and inventory optimization.
• Align with corporate leadership on production goals, timelines, and strategic priorities.
• Serve as the primary operational leader for the Sartell facility within Niron Magnetics.

Financial & Performance Management
• Own plant-level financial performance, including labor, materials, and operating costs.
• Develop and manage operating budgets and capital expenditure plans.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining safety and quality standards.
• Report on plant performance and provide insights to senior leadership.

What You'll Bring
• Unit or site leadership in a permitted chemical or process plant handling hazardous materials, including DCS-controlled operations, PHA/MOC discipline, and planned turnarounds.
• 12+ years of manufacturing operations leadership, including a site-level leadership role.
• Process safety experience in hydrogen, ammonia, or comparable service.
• Hands-on experience commissioning and starting up a new plant or production line.

Nice to Have
• Demonstrated ability to build, develop, and lead high-performing teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong track record of driving safety, quality, and operational performance.
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) and applying them in practice.
• Ability to operate both strategically and tactically, with a hands-on leadership approach.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across all levels of an organization.
• Experience in a start-up, greenfield, or high-growth manufacturing environment.
• Ownership of site-level P&L or plant financial performance.

Our Pay and Benefits
• Salary range: $170,000-210,000 based on experience, skills, and education
• Equity position in Niron via stock option grant
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Mental healthcare
• 401k plan with company match
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Experience in a fun, high-performing, manufacturing environment

Recruiters and Employment Agencies: Please note that Niron Magnetics does not accept unsolicited resumes from external agencies. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our career site, hiring managers, or employees will be considered the property of Niron Magnetics. Consequently, we reserve the right to hire these candidates at our discretion without any financial obligation to the submitting agency.