Plant Director

Position SummaryAn industry-leading precision manufacturer in Santa Ana, CA is seeking a seasoned Plant Director to provide strategic and operational leadership across the entire manufacturing facility. Reporting to the VP of Operations, the Plant Director is accountable for the safety, quality, throughput, on-time delivery, and overall performance of the operation, and partners closely with leadership to drive the plant's financial results. This is a senior leadership role that sets the direction for the plant and delivers results through a team of functional managers rather than managing tasks directly.The ideal candidate is a proven manufacturing leader with deep experience in precision sheet metal, machining, assembly, and mechanical engineering environments, and a track record of scaling operations through lean methodology, continuous improvement, and strong organizational development. Aerospace or other regulated, high-mix / low-to-mid-volume manufacturing experience is strongly preferred.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic & Operational LeadershipOwn the overall strategy and performance of the plant, translating company objectives into a clear operational roadmap and annual operating planSet and monitor site-level KPIs across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity; drive accountability and course-correct in real timeLead long-range capacity, capital equipment, and facility planning to support current demand and future growthOversee all production activity — prototype orders, first production runs, and repeat orders — ensuring capacity and priorities align with commercial commitmentsChampion lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence as a cultural standard across the siteFinancial & CommercialPartner with executive leadership on the plant's financial performance; contribute to budget planning and take ownership of operational cost drivers to support margin and profitability goalsProvide input and business cases for capital investment recommendations, and manage the deployment of approved capitalAnalyze financial and operational data to identify cost-reduction and throughput-improvement opportunitiesOwn and strengthen relationships and agreements with key external partners, suppliers, and vendors; provide executive-level support to major customer relationshipsPeople & Organizational DevelopmentLead, develop, and hold accountable a team of functional managers (production, quality, safety, materials/supply chain, and support functions)Build the leadership bench and succession pipeline; coach managers and elevate the overall capability of the organizationPartner with Human Resources on workforce planning, hiring, performance management, training, and organizational structureEstablish, revise, and enforce policies and procedures, and ensure their consistent implementation across the operationQuality, Safety & CompliancePartner with the Quality Manager to maintain ISO 9001 and AS9100 registration — including internal auditing, procedure review, corrective action, and related activitiesPartner with the Safety Manager to own the site Safety Program, including safety training, safety walks, reviews, and accident investigationEnsure the plant operates in full compliance with all applicable legal, regulatory, and industry requirementsMaintain working knowledge of precision sheet metal machinery and equipment, specifically Amada NC laser/punch and Amada Brake PressRequirements & Qualifications10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including prior experience as a Plant Manager, Plant Director, or equivalent site-leadership roleDemonstrated experience leading precision sheet metal, machining, assembly, and/or mechanical engineering operationsExperience contributing to and influencing plant financial performance, with a track record of driving operational results at the site levelDeep expertise in lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and performance/operational metricsExperience leading through subordinate managers and building high-performing teams in a fast-paced, high-accountability environmentStrong command of diverse business functions — supply chain, finance, quality, and customer serviceExcellent organizational, leadership, and executive communication skillsWorking knowledge of ERP/CRM systems, MS Office, and Six Sigma / lean toolsBSc/BA in Business Administration, Engineering, Operations, or a related field required; MSc/MBA strongly preferred