Plant Director – Aerospace Manufacturing

Magnolia, Arkansas | On-site

Full-time | Permanent

Reports to: VP, Operations

Lead a 300-Person Aerospace Manufacturing Operation

Amfuel, a DART Aerospace company, is seeking an experienced Plant Director to lead our manufacturing operation in Magnolia, Arkansas.

This is a senior site leadership role with responsibility for approximately 300 employees across two facilities , covering operational performance, people leadership, financial results, productivity, and continuous improvement.

The Magnolia operation is entering an important stage of growth. We are looking for a manufacturing leader who can strengthen operational discipline, develop the organization, improve performance, and build the capacity required to support the next phase of the business.

The successful leader will be equally comfortable on the manufacturing floor and at the executive table — combining hands‑on operational leadership with strong financial and business judgment.

What You'll Own

Site Leadership & Operations

• Lead the overall performance and day‑to‑day operation of the Magnolia manufacturing facilities.
• Lead, coach, and develop the site's management team.
• Establish clear priorities, accountability, and operating rhythms.
• Partner closely with Quality, Supply Chain, Engineering, HR, Finance, IT, Sales, and corporate leadership.
• Ensure people, capacity, processes, and resources remain aligned with customer and production requirements.

Operational Excellence

Own and improve performance across:

• Safety
• Quality
• Productivity and throughput
• Cost and manufacturing efficiency
• Customer commitments

Identify operational bottlenecks, strengthen KPI management, and implement sustainable improvements across the operation.

• Lead continuous improvement and operational transformation initiatives.
• Strengthen standardization, accountability, and execution across the site.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles to improve performance.
• Identify opportunities for automation and manufacturing modernization.
• Build an operation capable of supporting significant future growth.

Financial & Business Performance

• Take ownership of site‑level financial performance and contribute directly to the facility's P&L .
• Develop and manage annual operating budgets.
• Review monthly financial results and explain key variances.
• Manage headcount, operating expenses, productivity, and capital requirements.
• Make operational decisions with a clear understanding of their impact on cost, margin, cash, and overall business performance .

People & Organization

• Build a high‑performance culture based on accountability, execution, collaboration, and urgency.
• Maintain a visible leadership presence on the manufacturing floor.
• Develop managers and strengthen leadership succession.
• Partner with HR on workforce planning, recruitment, organizational development, and employee relations.
• Operate effectively within a unionized manufacturing environment .

What We're Looking For

We are looking for an accomplished manufacturing leader with:

• 5+ years of progressive manufacturing management or leadership experience
• Experience leading managers and multidisciplinary operational teams
• Strong understanding of P&L, budgeting, manufacturing costs, productivity, and financial performance
• Demonstrated success improving manufacturing performance
• Experience leading through growth, transformation, integration, or organizational change
• Experience working in or supporting a unionized environment
• Strong executive communication and decision‑making capability
• A hands‑on leadership style and strong shop‑floor credibility

Highly Valued Experience

• Aerospace and/or defense manufacturing
• Plant leadership or large manufacturing site responsibility
• Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma
• Manufacturing automation or modernization
• AS9100
• Epicor or comparable manufacturing ERP
• Post‑acquisition integration or operational transformation
• Military or defense program exposure

The Leadership Profile

This role requires a hands‑on, business‑minded manufacturing leader who thinks and acts like an owner .

You can set strategy while staying close enough to the operation to understand what is actually happening on the floor.

You challenge existing processes, make decisions, hold teams accountable, develop leaders, and understand the relationship between people, operational performance, customers, and financial results .

Why Join Amfuel / DART Aerospace?

Own a significant operation.

Lead approximately 300 employees across two manufacturing facilities with broad accountability for site performance.

Lead meaningful transformation.

Shape how the Magnolia operation evolves, integrates, and improves within DART Aerospace.

Build for growth.

Help develop the people, processes, automation, capacity, and operational structure required for the next stage of the business.

Work directly with senior leadership.

Partner closely with the VP of Operations and broader DART leadership while maintaining significant ownership of the operation.

Build a broader leadership career.

Strong performance can create opportunities for expanded business and senior leadership responsibilities within DART Aerospace.

Amfuel offers a competitive total rewards package including:

• 401(k) with company matching contributions
• Medical and prescription coverage
• Dental and vision coverage
• HSA and FSA options
• Company-paid Basic Life & AD&D insurance
• Company-paid Short‑Term and Long‑Term Disability
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Additional voluntary benefits

Export Control Requirement

Due to the specific products, programs, and controlled technical information accessible through this position, U.S. citizenship is required for this Plant Director role .

Ready to lead a complex aerospace manufacturing operation through its next stage of performance and growth?