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What is a director of plant operations and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

A director of plant operations is responsible for overseeing daily operations at a production site. They make sure schedules are met, production quantities are satisfactory, and product quality is as desired. Ensuring that operations are carried out within budget limitations is also the job of a director of plant operations.

They have to analyze production data, evaluate workflow, and suggest improvements as they see fit. Managing staff and training personnel and supervisors is their task, as is making sure all activities respect safety regulations. They report to higher management and contribute to strategic decisions by sharing production metrics and specifics on the work carried out on location.

You will probably need a bachelor's degree to be considered for this position, as well as several years of experience as a manager.

ScoreDirector Of Plant OperationsUS Average
Salary
8.1

Avg. Salary $118,735

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
9.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%

Asian 6.33%

Black or African American 6.15%

Hispanic or Latino 15.07%

Unknown 4.33%

White 67.65%

Gender

female 3.18%

male 96.82%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress level
9.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
9.2

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.6

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Director of plant operations career paths

Key steps to become a director of plant operations

  1. Explore director of plant operations education requirements

    Most common director of plant operations degrees

    Bachelor's

    48.0 %

    Associate

    22.5 %

    Master's

    11.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific director of plant operations skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Plant Operations9.96%
    Life Safety6.97%
    Healthcare6.96%
    OSHA6.89%
    Patients4.95%
  3. Complete relevant director of plant operations training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New directors of plant operations learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a director of plant operations based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real director of plant operations resumes.
  4. Research director of plant operations duties and responsibilities

    • Implement comprehensive ERP solution to manage inventory, customer relationships and financial applications.
    • Institute major testing and documentation as required by CMS and TJC.
    • Execute minor repairs in plumbing, drywall, tile flooring, medical equipment, kitchen equipment, HVAC systems, etc.
    • Update corporate policies and procedures for compliance with, JCAHO, ADA, NFPA, and other governmental regulations and requirements.
  5. Get director of plant operations experience

    Generally, it takes 4-6 years to become a director of plant operations. The most common roles before becoming a director of plant operations include plant manager, maintenance supervisor team lead and maintenance director.
  6. Prepare your director of plant operations resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your director of plant operations resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a director of plant operations resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable director of plant operations resume templates

    Build a professional director of plant operations resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your director of plant operations resume.
    Director Of Plant Operations Resume
    Director Of Plant Operations Resume
    Director Of Plant Operations Resume
    Director Of Plant Operations Resume
    Director Of Plant Operations Resume
    Director Of Plant Operations Resume
    Director Of Plant Operations Resume
    Director Of Plant Operations Resume
    Director Of Plant Operations Resume
  7. Apply for director of plant operations jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a director of plant operations job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first director of plant operations job

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Average director of plant operations salary

The average director of plant operations salary in the United States is $118,735 per year or $57 per hour. Director of plant operations salaries range between $85,000 and $165,000 per year.

Average director of plant operations salary
$118,735 Yearly
$57.08 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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