Plant Manager

GOSECO International Executive Search® has been exclusively retained by a prestigious and rapidly growing global manufacturing organization to lead the search for their next   Plant Manager   based in Tijuana, Mexico.
This is a compelling opportunity for a seasoned operations leader with a strong background in discrete manufacturing environments to take on full leadership of a strategically important facility. The role offers the ability to drive operational excellence, lead high-performing teams, and contribute directly to the continued growth and performance of the organization across North America. The company is recognized for its commitment to innovation, customer-centric solutions, and continuous improvement, and is seeking a leader who can elevate plant performance while fostering a culture of accountability, safety, and results.

I. Company Overview
Our client is a leading, vertically integrated manufacturer of engineered protective packaging solutions serving a diverse base of North American customers across industries such as automotive, electronics, medical, and industrial manufacturing.
The organization operates a multi-site manufacturing network and is recognized for its ability to design, develop, and deliver custom, high-performance packaging solutions that optimize supply chains, enhance product protection, and support sustainability initiatives.

II. Position Summary
The Plant Manager will provide full operational leadership for a key manufacturing facility in Tijuana, ensuring world-class performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people development.
This role is accountable for end-to-end plant performance, including production, engineering, maintenance, quality, and supply chain coordination, while aligning with broader regional and North American operational strategies.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on, high-impact leader with experience in packaging, corrugated, foam, plastics, or engineered manufacturing environments, capable of driving operational excellence, scaling performance, and leading high-performing teams in a fast-paced, customer-centric environment.

III.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
Lead all plant operations, including production, maintenance, quality, and logistics
Drive performance against KPIs across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Inventory (SQDCI)
Ensure alignment with corporate operational and financial objectives

Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing
Champion and implement Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives
Drive cost reduction, productivity gains, and operational efficiencies
Optimize production flows, material usage, and plant capacity

Customer & Commercial Alignment
Partner with commercial and engineering teams to support custom-engineered solutions and program launches
Ensure responsiveness to customer requirements, delivery timelines, and quality standards
Support business growth through operational readiness and execution

Team Leadership & Culture
Lead, develop, and mentor a multidisciplinary team across operations and support functions
Build a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement
Strengthen leadership bench and succession planning

Financial & P&L Responsibility
Own plant-level financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost management
Drive initiatives that improve margins and reduce operational waste

Safety, Quality & Compliance
Promote a zero-incident safety culture and ensure regulatory compliance
Maintain and enhance quality systems aligned with customer and industry standards

IV. Qualifications / Experience Required
Non-Negotiables
10+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations
Proven track record as a Plant Manager or senior operations leader
Experience in packaging, corrugated, foam, plastics, or engineered manufacturing environments
Strong background managing multi-shift operations and large teams
Demonstrated success in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement environments
Fully bilingual English / Spanish

Preferred
Experience supporting automotive, electronics, or industrial supply chains
Exposure to…