Overview:

A leading manufacturer of high-quality refractory products is seeking a Manufacturing Director to lead key operational areas at its state-of-the-art facility in Brookville, Indiana. This critical leadership role focuses on cultivating a plant environment that enables production excellence through safety, maintenance, material flow, quality, and continuous improvement. Collaborating closely with the Production Director, this role emphasizes operational support without direct oversight of production scheduling, offering a unique opportunity to enhance facility performance and drive strategic growth.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Safety Leadership:

• Champion a safety-first culture by improving safety conditions, behaviors, and systems.
• Proactively reduce injuries and near misses through effective safety initiatives and compliance with OSHA standards.
• Conduct safety audits and ensure a robust safety program is in place.

2. Maintenance Excellence:

• Build and lead a high-performing maintenance department to ensure equipment reliability and production readiness.
• Develop and implement systems to minimize downtime and maximize operational efficiency.

3. Material Flow & Inventory Management:

• Optimize material flow and staging to support production demands.
• Enhance inventory accuracy and streamline material handling processes.

4. Facility Organization:

• Ensure the plant remains clean, organized, and optimized for efficiency.
• Improve ergonomics and job quality while driving operational enhancements.

5. Quality Assurance:

• Oversee quality lab operations, ensuring strict adherence to ISO processes.
• Develop and maintain clear, concise procedures to support quality excellence.

6. Continuous Improvement:

• Foster innovation and collaboration by engaging employees in continuous improvement initiatives.
• Utilize methodologies such as Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma to implement process improvements.

7. Strategic Collaboration:

• Work closely with the Production Director to align on goals and strategies.
• Act as a resource and leader to support production success, focusing on foundational operational excellence.

8. Direct Reporting Areas:

• Lead departments such as Maintenance, Quality Lab, Receiving, Shipping, and Production Engineering.
• Collaborate on the hiring and development of roles like HES Manager and Material Flow Manager.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Management, or a related field (required).
• Experience: Minimum of 8 years in manufacturing, with at least 4 years in a leadership role.
• Proven ability to improve safety, maintenance, material flow, and quality in a manufacturing environment.
• Expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and the MS Office Suite.

Why This Role?

This is not a typical plant management position. With no direct responsibility for production scheduling, the Manufacturing Director can focus on building a strong operational foundation for long-term success. This unique opportunity is ideal for candidates passionate about leadership, innovation, and creating lasting impact in manufacturing excellence.