Director of Administration
14 days ago
Chicago
Position Summary The Plant Administration Director is responsible for leading the overall administrative operations and site services for a manufacturing facility of approximately 500 employees. This role ensures the safe, efficient, professional, and cost-effective operation of the site by overseeing general administration, employee services, security, transportation, catering, facility support, vendor management, workplace services, executive/VIP visits, and major site events. The ideal candidate is a hands-on site leader with strong experience supporting large-scale manufacturing operations and building effective administrative systems in a fast-paced environment. Key Responsibilities • Plant Administration & Site Operations, • Lead the overall day-to-day administrative operations and site services for a manufacturing facility of approximately 500 employees., • Develop, implement, and continuously improve administrative policies, procedures, service standards, and operating processes., • Ensure administrative services effectively support production schedules, shift operations, and overall plant requirements., • Identify operational issues and drive timely resolution in coordination with relevant departments., • Develop annual administration plans, budgets, and cost-control initiatives., • Employee & Workplace Services, • Oversee employee services including catering, transportation/shuttle services, accommodation support, uniforms, office supplies, meeting rooms, mail/courier services, and other workplace services., • Ensure administrative resources are appropriately adjusted based on workforce growth, production schedules, and shift requirements., • Establish service standards and employee feedback mechanisms to continuously improve the employee experience., • Site & Facility Support, • Oversee administrative management of office areas, common areas, and plant support facilities., • Manage janitorial services, landscaping, snow removal, waste services, pest control, and other general site services., • Partner closely with Facilities, Engineering, EHS, Production, and Maintenance teams to ensure site issues are resolved efficiently., • Maintain a professional, organized, and operationally ready workplace environment., • Security & Site Access, • Oversee plant security operations, including security vendors, access control, visitor management, vehicle access, site patrols, and restricted-area management., • Establish and maintain effective visitor and contractor management procedures., • Coordinate with EHS and plant leadership on emergency response and business continuity activities related to site administration., • Vendor & Contract Management, • Manage administrative vendors and service providers, including catering, transportation, security, janitorial, accommodation, and workplace service providers., • Establish and monitor vendor KPIs and SLAs related to quality, cost, compliance, responsiveness, and service performance., • Conduct regular vendor performance reviews and drive corrective actions when required., • Identify opportunities for cost reduction, contract optimization, and service improvement., • Executive Visits & Major Events, • Lead administrative coordination for executive visits, customer visits, government delegations, business partners, and other VIP guests., • Plan and support major plant meetings, employee events, celebrations, community events, and corporate activities., • Establish professional and standardized protocols for VIP reception and plant tours., • Cross-Functional Coordination, • Partner closely with HR, EHS, Production, Engineering, Finance, Procurement, IT, and other functions to support plant operations., • Lead cross-functional resolution of administrative and site service issues., • Support relationships with local service providers, community organizations, government agencies, and other external stakeholders as needed., • Team Leadership, • Lead and develop the plant administration team, including organization design, staffing, performance management, and capability development., • Establish clear team responsibilities, KPIs, service standards, and accountability mechanisms., • Build a professional, responsive, service-oriented administration organization capable of supporting continued plant growth. Qualifications • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, Operations, Hospitality Management, or a related field preferred., • 10+ years of progressive administration, site operations, or general affairs experience, preferably within a manufacturing environment., • 5+ years of people management experience, with demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary administrative teams., • Experience supporting a 300–1,000+ employee manufacturing facility strongly preferred., • Strong knowledge of plant administration, employee services, security, transportation, catering, workplace services, and vendor management., • Demonstrated experience in budget management, cost control, contract negotiation, and vendor performance management., • Strong organizational, problem-solving, and cross-functional leadership skills., • Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively to urgent site operational issues., • Strong executive presence and communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with senior leadership, employees, vendors, customers, and external stakeholders., • Experience in battery, EV, automotive, semiconductor, energy, or other advanced manufacturing industries preferred., • Experience working in a multicultural and international organization is highly desirable.
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