Plant Director I

Donaldson is committed to solving the world’s most complex filtration challenges. Together, we make cool things. As an established technology and innovation leader, we are continuously evolving to meet the filtration needs of our changing world. Join a culture of collaboration and innovation that matters and a chance to learn, effect change, and make meaningful contributions at work and in communities. ​

The Plant Director leads site operations to deliver strong performance in safety, quality, delivery, and financial results through strong employee engagement. This role sets the direction for the facility, develops a high-performing team, ensures compliance, and drives continuous improvement to meet business and customer expectations.

Qualified candidates must be able to work an on-site schedule at our Cresco, IA facility daily.

Role Responsibilities:

• Ensures a strong and effective culture within the plant in the areas of safety, quality, and manufacturing excellence. 

• Cultivates a highly engaged and accountable workforce, championing teamwork and commitment. 

• Leads teams across Operations, Environmental Health and Safety, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain within the manufacturing facility. 

• Overseas Environmental Health and Safety programs to ensure compliance to regulatory bodies and creating a safe work environment for our employees. 

• Exceeding customer expectations through delivering at high on time delivery and high quality performance through lower PPM. 

• Develops and responsible for meeting operational financial budget including manufacturing cost, Capital Expenditure, and Inventory. 

• Drives to optimize profit though developing and implementing cost reduction projects for labor, material and overhead. 

• Maintains optimal inventory level to meet customer demand while meeting cash conversion targets. 

• Develops strategic plans incorporating break though objectives to drive continuous sustainable improvements within the facility to continue the journey as a world class manufacturing operation.  

• Develops, recommends, and executes on short- and long-range strategic plans related to plant footprint, equipment, staffing and other resources. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Business, or related field.

• 7+ years of progressive manufacturing operations experience, including 5+ years of people leadership.

• Proven ability to manage safety, quality, delivery, cost, budgets, KPIs, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or MBA.

• 10+ years of manufacturing leadership experience, including plant-level or multi-function responsibility.

• Working experience in ERP systems, preferably Oracle

• Experience managing complex operations with responsibility for SQDC, inventory, and P&L performance.

• Working knowledge of EHS requirements, quality systems, Lean manufacturing, and manufacturing financial drivers.

• Proven success directing operations and people leadership in a unionized workplace.

• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, change management, and collaboration skills.

• Lean Six Sigma, APICS/ASCM, PMP, OSHA, or similar certification.

• Experience leading cultural transformation, employee engagement, and operational excellence.

Relocation: This position is eligible for relocation assistance.

In addition to the base salary, this position is eligible for:

• Annual incentive plan based on performance and company growth.

• Long-Term Incentive (LTI) Plan

Employee benefits are part of the competitive total rewards package that Donaldson Company, Inc. provides to you. Our comprehensive benefits program includes health benefits, retirement plan (401k), paid time away, paid leaves (including paid parental leave) and more.

Immigration Sponsorship Not Available:

• Applicants for this position must be currently and legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship (e.g., H-1B, J-1, F-1, CPT, OPT, etc.).

• Donaldson will not offer immigration sponsorship or assume sponsorship of an employment visa for this position.

• International relocation or remote work arrangements outside of the U.S. will not be considered.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including Disability and Veterans

Employment opportunities for positions in the United States may require use of information which is subject to the export control regulations of the United States. Hiring decisions for such positions are required by law to be made in compliance with these regulations. Applicants for employment opportunities in other countries must be able to meet the comparable export control requirements of that country and of the United States.

Donaldson Company has been made aware that there are several recruiting scams that are targeting job seekers.  These scams have attempted to solicit money for job applications and/or collect confidential information, Donaldson will never solicit money during the application or recruiting process.  Donaldson only accepts online applications through our Careers | Donaldson Company, Inc. website and any communication from a Donaldson recruiter would be sent using a donaldson.com email address.  If you have any questions about the legitimacy of an employment opportunity, please reach out to [email protected] to verify that the communication is from Donaldson.

Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, gender, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity and/or expression, or other status protected by law.