Director of Operations and Plant Management

Now hiring for a Director of Operations and Plant Management - Direct Hire

Location: Brainerd, MN

Salary: $80,000+ annually (Compensation commensurate with experience)

Solid Pay. Real Benefits. No Games.

Looking for Director of Operations and Plant Management jobs in Brainerd where you can lead from the floor and keep production moving? This opportunity puts your leadership, manufacturing experience, and problem-solving skills to work keeping people productive, quality high, and safety at the center of every shift.

• Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Technology, Business, or equivalent industry experience.

• 5+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership, plant management, or industrial operations experience.
• Experience leading production teams in a hands-on manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations, industrial safety programs, and quality systems.
• Experience managing ERP systems, production scheduling, BOMs, and manufacturing data.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and blueprints for quoting and production planning.
• Preferred
  
  Qualification:
  
  Experience in wood manufacturing and processing

• Lead daily manufacturing operations, production workflow, machine capacity planning, and job prioritization.
• Supervise and develop production teams through coaching, cross-training, and workforce planning.
• Manage inventory levels, material staging, scrap reduction, and equipment uptime.
• Drive safety initiatives including SOPs, Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), and incident investigations.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, quality, and operational standards.
• Maintain and optimize ERP data including Part Masters, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and Methods of Operations (BOOs).
• Track key performance metrics such as labor efficiency, machine utilization, schedule attainment, and job cost variance.
• Develop cost estimates and customer quotes from blueprints and engineering drawings.
• Lead projects from customer onboarding through production launch, first-article approval, and fulfillment.
• Serve as a key operational contact for customers regarding schedules, manufacturability, and expedited production needs.

• Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments.
• Frequent walking throughout the production facility.
• Ability to respond to shop floor operational, safety, and equipment needs.
• Capacity to oversee manufacturing activities in a fast-paced industrial setting.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off (PTO)

The base pay range listed reflects what we reasonably expect to offer for this role. Actual pay may vary based on location, experience, and performance. Depending on the position, benefits may include medical, dental, and vision coverage; retirement and savings plans; paid holidays and time off; supplemental insurance; and additional wellness or incentive programs.

At Staffmark, we connect hardworking people with great companies, creating opportunities that make a lasting impact.

Staffmark is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Staffmark offers reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities; contact your local branch for inquiries. Staffmark is an E-Verify employer. See our Privacy Notice for Candidates and Employees/Contractors at  By applying, you consent to receive AI-generated and non-AI-generated calls, texts, or emails from Staffmark Group, its affiliates, and partners.

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