Pacific International Recruitment is an exclusive recruitment consultancy with over 25 years of experience in placing specialists and executives. With our headquarters in London and additional locations in Düsseldorf and Philadelphia, we provide targeted support to our clients and candidates across EMEA, APAC, and the USA.
We have partnered with a global leader in industrial solutions to support their innovation and sustainability goals while they are growing. They are recognized for their industrial expertise and commitment to high-performance materials.
In this plant leadership position, the ideal candidate will take full ownership of site operations (~200 people), ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing performance in line with global standards. It drives operational excellence across production, quality, and support while continuously improving processes using Lean and best practices. The position plays a key role in leading cross-functional teams, aligning multiple stakeholders, and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Through a hands-on and transformation-oriented leadership approach, the Plant Director ensures consistent performance, operational stability, and long-term sustainable growth across the site. This is a transformational role, so change management and experience in culture change are important.
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead and guide site operations to define and implement the most effective ways of working, ensuring alignment with global best practices and operational excellence standards
* Take full end-to-end responsibility for plant operations, including production, quality, safety, maintenance, and supply chain interfaces
* Lead, coach, and develop cross-functional teams, fostering strong leadership, accountability, and a high-performance culture across the organization
* Act as a key partner to internal and external stakeholders, ensuring strong collaboration with functions such as Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Finance, and HR to deliver business results
* Champion Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement, embedding a culture of efficiency, waste reduction, and operational excellence throughout the organization
Skills and Qualifications:
* Degree in Engineering or a comparable technical qualification with 10+ years in operations management
* Proven track record in turnaround situations
* Strong experience in change management, with the ability to implement best-in-class ways of working across organizations
* Solid background in an industrial environment (e.g., chemical, industrial manufacturing, or related sectors)
* Deep expertise in Lean principles and Continuous Improvement methodologies, with a focus on operational excellence
* Strong leadership skills with the ability to engage, motivate, and develop teams through transformation
* Fluent in German and English, both written and spoken
For further information on this position and a confidential discussion about your career, please contact Ximena Bernal, Executive Search Associate - though we ask you to apply directly through this LinkedIn post to make sure your application is reviewed (English CV).
About Pacific International Executive Search:
Pacific International, a globally recognized retained executive search firm, is dedicated to empowering Fortune 500, FTSE 100, and high-growth enterprises in building exceptional C-suite, senior-level, and strategic leadership teams while championing diversity and inclusion. Our adaptability, agility, and forward-thinking ethos distinguish us in the ever-evolving business landscape.
Since 1997, we have been dedicated to building lasting client partnerships based on trust and reliability, and a proven track record of successful C-suite and mid- to senior-level leadership project delivery across many key industries globally.
Diversity Statement:
At Pacific International, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of who we are and what we do. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and we proudly champion diversity on behalf of our clients in every Executive Search mandate we undertake. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. In pursuit of these objectives, we actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities.