Director, Plant Operations Jobs

Explore Director, Plant Operations opportunities on Ladders, where professionals can find vetted jobs paying $100,000 or more. Directors of plant operations lead the people, processes, and resources that keep manufacturing and industrial facilities running safely, efficiently, and profitably.

What Does a Director of Plant Operations Do?

These leaders oversee day-to-day plant performance and guide operational strategy. Responsibilities may include managing production, improving quality and throughput, controlling operating costs, maintaining equipment, and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards. They also develop teams, coordinate with supply chain and engineering groups, and report performance to senior leadership.

Common Skills and Qualifications

Employers often seek substantial experience in plant, manufacturing, or operations leadership, along with a record of improving results across complex facilities. Useful strengths include continuous improvement, workforce development, budgeting, production planning, safety management, and data-driven decision-making. Familiarity with methodologies such as Lean or Six Sigma may be valuable, depending on the role and industry.

Industries and Career Opportunities

Director of Plant Operations roles can be found across manufacturing, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, automotive, chemicals, energy, and other industrial sectors. The scope varies by employer: some directors manage one site, while others oversee multiple facilities or broader regional operations. These positions can offer a path to senior roles such as vice president of operations or chief operating officer.

Find Director, Plant Operations Jobs on Ladders

Browse vetted Director, Plant Operations openings on Ladders and explore opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more. Compare roles by responsibilities, location, and industry to find a leadership position aligned with your experience and career goals.

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$107K - $147K *

Optimize facility operations by leading diverse teams, implementing innovative technologies, and enhancing workplace safety. Collaborate to assess and improve equipment and processes, driving strategi...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$140K - $160K *

Lead operations as a Plant Manager, driving safety, quality, and profitability while overseeing a dedicated team. Foster a culture of continuous improvement and develop staff to achieve strategic goal...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$123K - $180K *

Lead the charge in strategic and operational excellence for a network of physician-partnered endoscopy ambulatory surgery centers, ensuring high-quality care and efficient operations while driving fut...

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$124K - $186K *

Lead operational excellence in a high-growth environment, driving safety, quality, and efficiency across manufacturing processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance production capabili...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$85K - $100K *

Shape the future of safety and compliance by leading EHS and PSM initiatives. Collaborate with plant leadership to enhance safety culture, reduce risks, and drive continuous improvement in a dynamic m...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$88K - $105K *

Transform safety culture by leading EHS initiatives, ensuring compliance with regulations, and fostering a zero-harm environment. Collaborate with teams to enhance operational safety and environmental...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Transform your career by leading safety, health, and environmental initiatives. Drive compliance and foster a zero-harm culture while supporting facility operations and enhancing safety standards in a...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $120K *

Empower plant operations by leading safety, quality, delivery, and cost initiatives. Drive continuous improvement, manage budgets, and develop teams to optimize productivity and profitability in a dyn...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Join us to lead the management of physical plant operations, ensuring energy efficiency and sustainability. Oversee facility maintenance, optimize energy programs, and collaborate with internal and ex...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$100K - $120K *

Manage cross-functional teams to deliver MCO-I projects, ensuring quality execution from handover through warranty. Lead client engagement, monitor progress, and drive corrective actions while maintai...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$115K - $190K *

Join our operations team to oversee geostructural project management, ensuring safe, timely, and budget-compliant installations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to bring designs to life and ma...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Create a dynamic crane maintenance strategy by managing scheduling, repairs, and team performance. Collaborate across departments to ensure equipment reliability and safety. Drive operational excellen...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$100K - $120K *

Deliver comprehensive leadership and operational oversight for multiple branches, ensuring exceptional customer service and compliance with safety and industry standards to drive business growth and e...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $160K *

Drive your career forward by leading distribution operations, focusing on eCommerce fulfillment. Leverage technology and data insights to enhance efficiency, build high-performing teams, and achieve o...

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Transportation

$80K - $95K *

Transform production operations by leading teams to achieve safety, quality, and efficiency goals. Drive continuous improvement initiatives and optimize resources to enhance productivity in HVAC manuf...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$77K - $106K *

Pioneer operational excellence by overseeing maintenance teams, optimizing equipment performance, and implementing safety protocols while driving continuous improvement within the facility operations...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$95K - $115K *

Lead the charge in maintaining critical HVAC systems, ensuring tenant comfort and operational efficiency. Provide technical guidance, conduct preventive maintenance, and respond to emergencies in a fa...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$125K - $150K *

Transform your career by leading strategic operations in automated warehouse maintenance. Drive excellence in service delivery, manage P&L, and foster partnerships with clients while overseeing a high...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$106K - $138K *

Discover a dynamic role driving engineering projects and plant reliability initiatives in an industrial setting, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance operational efficiency and equipme...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Lead the charge in division management, driving revenue growth and staff development while maintaining robust client relationships and ensuring operational compliance within a high-visibility environm...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$120K - $150K *

Lead multiple healthcare facilities by driving operational excellence and ensuring compliance with high-quality care standards. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize performance, workfor...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$150K - $180K *

Lead operational excellence across multiple regions, driving P&L accountability, strategic growth, and safety compliance. Empower teams through mentorship and ensure best practices while fostering str...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$100K - $120K *

Lead the charge in implementing clinical models across diverse markets, managing multiple projects from kickoff to go-live. Drive results through cross-functional collaboration and ensure compliance w...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$80K - $120K *

Shape the future of construction by leading diverse projects, managing site operations, and ensuring quality and safety standards are met. Collaborate with teams to deliver exceptional results while d...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$100K - $120K *

Elevate your career by leading project estimations for property losses. Collaborate with industry partners to ensure competitive pricing and profitable execution while building strong relationships an...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Director of Plant Operations do?question toggle

    A Director of Plant Operations leads facility operations, including production, staffing, safety, quality, equipment, and cost management. The role typically focuses on meeting performance goals while improving efficiency and maintaining compliance.

  • What qualifications are common for Director of Plant Operations jobs?question toggle

    Employers commonly look for significant experience in manufacturing or plant leadership, strong operational and people-management skills, and a record of improving safety, productivity, quality, or costs. Requirements vary by company and industry.

  • Which industries hire Directors of Plant Operations?question toggle

    These directors work in industries such as manufacturing, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, automotive, chemicals, energy, and other sectors that operate production or industrial facilities.

  • Do Director of Plant Operations jobs pay $100,000 or more?question toggle

    Many senior plant operations roles offer salaries of $100,000 or more, though compensation depends on factors such as industry, location, facility scope, and experience. Ladders focuses on vetted professional opportunities at this salary level.

  • What is the difference between a plant operations director and a plant manager?question toggle

    The titles vary by employer. A plant manager often leads the operations of a single facility, while a Director of Plant Operations may oversee a larger site, multiple facilities, or broader strategic responsibilities.