Plant Director

About the role

Niron Magnetics is seeking a hands-on, execution-driven Plant Director with proven leadership experience in a chemical or process manufacturing environment to lead operations at our new Sartell, MN manufacturing facility. This role will begin as a key leader supporting plant start-up and commissioning and will transition into full ownership of site operations once the facility is operational. You will play a critical role in building the foundation of the plant and then leading it to sustained, high-performance execution.

Responsibilities

Start-Up & Operational Readiness (Pre-Production Phase)

• Partner with start-up and engineering teams to support commissioning, equipment installation, and production ramp.
• Help stand up core operational systems, including safety programs, SOPs, maintenance plans, and production workflows.
• Recruit, onboard, and train the initial operations team in preparation for launch.
• Ensure readiness across staffing, processes, and systems to enable a successful transition to production.
• Support knowledge transfer from pilot operations into scalable plant execution.

Plant Operations & Production Ownership (Post-Start-Up)

• Assume full ownership of day-to-day plant operations, including production, maintenance, and materials flow.
• Deliver against production targets for output, yield, and on-time delivery.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to drive operational performance and accountability.
• Identify and resolve operational bottlenecks to ensure consistent throughput and efficiency.

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Build and sustain a world-class safety culture from start-up through steady-state operations.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory, environmental, and company safety standards.
• Own plant quality systems to ensure products meet all specifications and customer requirements.
• Implement corrective and preventive actions to address safety and quality issues.

Team Leadership & Culture

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing plant team across operations, maintenance, and support functions.
• Establish clear expectations, accountability, and performance management systems.
• Reinforce Niron’s culture, values, and mission as the site scales.
• Partner with the People Team on workforce planning, engagement, and retention.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Implement lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives across the plant.
• Drive improvements in efficiency, cost, yield, and cycle time.
• Standardize processes and ensure disciplined execution of operating procedures.
• Champion a data-driven approach to decision-making and performance management.

Systems, Processes & Infrastructure

• Stand up and optimize plant systems, including ERP, MES, and maintenance programs.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work instructions.
• Ensure robust preventive and predictive maintenance programs are in place.
• Build scalable infrastructure to support future growth and capacity expansion.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with engineering, R&D, and start-up leadership to ensure successful process transfer and ramp.
• Collaborate with supply chain to ensure material availability and inventory optimization.
• Align with corporate leadership on production goals, timelines, and strategic priorities.
• Serve as the primary operational leader for the Sartell facility within Niron Magnetics.

Financial & Performance Management

• Own plant-level financial performance, including labor, materials, and operating costs.
• Develop and manage operating budgets and capital expenditure plans.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining safety and quality standards.
• Report on plant performance and provide insights to senior leadership.

Requirements

• Unit or site leadership in a permitted chemical or process plant handling hazardous materials, including DCS-controlled operations, PHA/MOC discipline, and planned turnarounds.
• 12+ years of manufacturing operations leadership, including a site-level leadership role.
• Process safety experience in hydrogen, ammonia, or comparable service.
• Hands-on experience commissioning and starting up a new plant or production line.

Nice to Have

• Demonstrated ability to build, develop, and lead high-performing teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong track record of driving safety, quality, and operational performance.
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) and applying them in practice.
• Ability to operate both strategically and tactically, with a hands-on leadership approach.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across all levels of an organization.
• Experience in a start-up, greenfield, or high-growth manufacturing environment.
• Ownership of site-level P&L or plant financial performance.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Mental healthcare
• 401k plan with company match
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays

Pay

Salary range: $170,000-210,000 based on experience, skills, and education

Equity position in Niron via stock option grant