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.

Role Responsibilities:

• Lead all plant operations to achieve business, customer, and operational performance goals.

• Build and sustain a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with EHS, quality, and regulatory requirements.

• Drive performance across Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost through clear goals, KPI management, and disciplined execution.

• Develop, engage, and hold accountable a high-performing leadership team and workforce.

• Own plant financial results, including budgets, productivity, cost reduction, inventory, and capital planning.

• Lead Lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement initiatives to eliminate waste, improve flow, and increase efficiency.

• Oversee production planning, capacity, staffing, materials, and resource allocation to meet customer demand.

• Partner with cross-functional teams to align plant capabilities, priorities, and strategic plans.

Travel: Up to 20%

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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or MBA.

• Working experience in ERP systems, preferably Oracle

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. 

Keywords: Plant Director, Plant Manager, Manufacturing, Operations, Leadership, Lean Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement, Supply Chain, KPI Management, Cost Reduction, Safety, OEM

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 talentacquisition@donaldson.com 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.