Plant Director

Morgan Latif has been exclusively retained by a multinational client in the Process Manufacturing sector to search for a highly confidential and critical leadership hire as Plant Director in Italy. This pivotal role requires a transformational leader to oversee plant operations, ensure business continuity during a leadership transition, and drive operational and cultural improvements.

The Plant Director will play a key role in ramping up a new production line, enhancing operational efficiency, and embedding a high-performance culture. The ideal candidate will be a dynamic and hands-on leader with a strong background in continuous improvement, asset reliability, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure a seamless leadership transition while maintaining operational stability.
• Lead, develop, and empower a high-performing management team to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Oversee the successful ramp-up of the new production line, aligning with corporate expectations.
• Shift from reactive to proactive maintenance strategies, improving asset reliability.
• Embed lean methodologies and structured improvement initiatives across the plant.
• Strengthen accountability, collaboration, and workforce engagement to drive operational excellence.
• Enhance on-time deliveries, product consistency, and customer satisfaction.
• Maintain strong internal and external communication to optimize performance.
• Ensure a safe and compliant work environment, reducing incidents and risks.

Key Performance Indicators

• Reduce bottlenecks and improve production output.
• Achieve a stable and efficient production ramp-up for the new line.
• Lower absenteeism and management turnover.
• Strengthen collaboration and communication across teams.
• Reduce internal failure rates and external quality issues.
• Improve on-time delivery rates and customer satisfaction.
• Decrease lost-time incidents and operational risks.

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operational Management, or a related field.
• MBA is a plus.

Experience

• 10+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment, with strong plant-level operational leadership.
• Minimum 5 years in a senior leadership role, managing large operations teams.
• Proven track record in process manufacturing, FMCG, or a relevant industrial sector.
• Experience working in a unionized environment is preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and people management abilities.
• Hands-on, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Deep technical knowledge of manufacturing processes
• Proven ability to drive cultural transformation and engage a diverse workforce.
• Expertise in lean methodologies and continuous improvement.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to lead change in a low-maturity environment and transform operations.

Cultural Fit

• Builds and sustains a trust-based, high-performance culture.
• Encourages innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Familiarity with Italian business culture is preferred.

Languages

• Italian (Fluent – Essential)
• English (Fluent – Essential)

We look forward to receiving your application!