The Impact You'll Make
The Plant Director provides overall leadership for the Utica, NY liquid‑cooling component manufacturing and distribution site, reporting to global operations leadership. This role is responsible for driving site strategy, safety culture, customer delivery, quality performance, and financial results across manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, quality, and support functions.
This position leads daily operations and long-term planning to ensure reliable production, distribution execution, and organizational capability. Key success factors include building a high-performance operating model and delivering consistent results across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement.
What You’ll Be Doing
Responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Set and communicate site vision, priorities, and performance expectations for manufacturing and distribution operations
- Own and manage the site-level scorecard including safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, and productivity
- Lead daily, weekly, and monthly operating routines to identify risks, assign accountability, and implement corrective actions
- Build and sustain a safety-first and quality-focused culture, ensuring issues are escalated and addressed promptly
- Partner with commercial, engineering, and supply chain teams to align demand, capacity, and new product introductions
- Lead capital planning, automation strategies, facility layout, and resource planning decisions
- Review operational and financial performance, including labor utilization, scrap, inventory, and cost metrics
- Develop and coach the site leadership team, ensuring strong succession planning and talent development
- Serve as senior escalation point for customer issues, supply constraints, quality concerns, and safety incidents
- Drive continuous improvement using lean principles, standard work, visual management, and structured problem-solving
- Represent the site with internal stakeholders, customers, auditors, and external partners
What We're Looking For
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations, supply chain, business, finance, or related field
Progressive manufacturing leadership experience with responsibility for multi-functional teams
Proven track record of delivering measurable operational and financial results
Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, supply chain, quality systems, and EHS
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in a relevant field
Experience in plant ramp-up, product transfer, or new facility launch
Background in high-mix manufacturing, precision assembly, or distribution operations
Experience in fluid conveyance or thermal management industries
What You'll Get from Us
At Danfoss, we believe that a diverse and inclusive workplace fosters creativity, innovation, and a broader perspective in decision-making. When you consider this job posting, do you feel like your profile is not a perfect match? Numerous studies have found that women and people of color are more likely to apply only when they meet all requirements listed in the job posting. Even if you do not check all the boxes, we encourage you to apply anyway. We are curious to find out how you can bring new insights to the role or to Danfoss as an organization.
We are excited to offer you the following benefits with your employment:
Bonus system
Paid vacation
Retirement plan
Personal insurance
Opportunity to join Employee Resource Groups
State of the art virtual work environment
Employee Referral Program
Ready to Make a Difference?
If this role excites you, we’d love to hear from you! Apply now to start the conversation and learn more about where your career can go with us.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected category.