Director of Plant Operations

About the Job Our client, one of the largest and reknowned companies within its operating domain. This opportunity is based within the organization's strategically important manufacturing site, supplying complex products and critical components to both domestic and international markets. The facility employs a workforce of more than 1,000 employees, and serves as a key manufacturing hub supporting global operations through a highly automated and technology-driven production environment. Job Description: Provide overall leadership for a large-scale manufacturing operation with annual revenues in excess of several hundred million Euros. Lead an organization of more than 1,000 employees, including functional leaders across Production, Quality, Maintenance, Planning and Logistics. Own end-to-end operational performance, ensuring excellence across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and People metrics. Develop and execute short, medium and long-term manufacturing strategies aligned with business objectives. Drive world-class operational performance through Lean Manufacturing, TPM, Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence initiatives. Partner with local and global stakeholders to support international manufacturing programs and customer requirements. Champion productivity, efficiency, digitalization, automation and manufacturing transformation initiatives. Strengthen leadership capability, talent development and succession planning across the organization. Lead capital investment planning and support future growth and capacity expansion initiatives with multi-million EUR annual CAPEX budgets. Act as a key member of the site leadership structure, contributing to strategic decision-making and future operational competitiveness. General Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Engineering; Master's degree is preferred. Minimum 15 years of leadership experience within automotive OEM's or similarly complex manufacturing environments. Proven experience leading large-scale manufacturing organizations and multiple operational functions. Strong understanding of machining and assembly operations within automotive-focused manufacturing environments. Demonstrated success managing Production, Quality, Maintenance, Planning and Logistics functions within an integrated manufacturing environment. Solid background in Lean Manufacturing, TPM, Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence and world-class production systems. Experience leading senior management teams and influencing stakeholders in complex matrix organizations. Strong strategic thinking, business acumen and decision-making capabilities. Proven track record of delivering measurable improvements in safety, quality, productivity, cost and operational performance. Excellent communication, stakeholder management and leadership skills. Fluency in English is required.