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.

Benefits vary by client and are confirmed at the time of offer. Examples may include:

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

What You Will Do

As a Director of Operations and Plant Management you will lead daily production operations, assign work, coordinate staffing, monitor workflow, coach employees, and keep the shift moving without cutting corners on safety or quality. You will track production goals and performance, lead pre-shift meetings, troubleshoot operational problems, coordinate with maintenance, quality, warehouse, and leadership teams, maintain production records and shift reports, support employee training, and create a respectful workplace built around teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.

The Director of Operations and Plant Management plays a critical role between production employees and plant leadership. This position translates schedules, customer requirements, safety expectations, and production goals into clear priorities that employees can execute throughout the shift.

Successful Director of Operations and Plant Management candidates communicate expectations before the work begins, stay visible while production is running, and track results as the shift progresses. They coach employees, recognize problems early, document performance, and make sure important issues do not disappear during shift changes.

This role rewards leaders who can run the floor while keeping people informed, accountable, and moving in the same direction.

About Us

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 https://smgroupna.com/privacy-notice-for-candidates-and-employees-contractors. By applying, you consent to receive AI-generated and non-AI-generated calls, texts, or emails from Staffmark Group, its affiliates, and partners. Frequency varies and message/data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel or HELP for help.