Job Description

Plant Director - Algeria

Knauf stands for opportunity We know that opportunity looks different to each person, and we are proud that we see opportunity in everyone. This exciting role within the Knauf Algeria leadership team could be the perfect next opportunity for you to build a unique career, in a values-led culture with a clear purpose of making tomorrow a home for all of us.

We are a global manufacturer of construction materials and within our Group, our 43,000 team members in 90 countries across 300 sites provide a huge opportunity for anyone with ambition and energy. We value everyone's contribution equally and we ask that you bring your whole self to work, to enrich the business further, as together we achieve more in a safe and inclusive environment.

Knauf Group has a 94-year heritage in gypsum and plasterboard manufacturing and have big plans for the future. Our global reach in 90 countries continues to grow and we are looking for passionate, ambitious people to help us achieve our goals. We are all led by the same core values and believe in the powerful potential of large companies to have a positive impact on the world. Knauf Algeria is proud to be part of the Knauf Group. Knauf Algeria has operated in the country since 1974 to serve Algeria's fast-growing construction market. Knauf Algeria is a key market within the Group, with a strong and growing presence across plaster, plasterboard and profile production. We are now looking for a leader to join us in Oran as Plant Director – someone who is technically competent, sees opportunity in people and is ready to make a real impact.

Can you say ‘yes’?

Do you treat your colleagues with respect?

Do you always have the customer in mind?

Do you act with future generations in mind?

Do you like to seek out opportunities to grow and develop?

Do you have a proven track record of delivering results?

What you’ll be doing:

Role and Scope:

· Taking full accountability for plant safety performance, driving a zero-incident culture and ensuring HSE is embedded in every operational and leadership decision.

· Overseeing the entire manufacturing operations of the plant, ensuring efficiency, productivity and compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements.

· Managing daily operations of the manufacturing plant, ensuring production targets are met while maintaining high-quality standards.

· Managing all aspects of plant operations, including production, maintenance, quality control, and supply chain coordination.

Key Responsibilities:

Health, Safety & Environment (HSE))

· Take full accountability for the plant’s HSE performance, ensuring a zero-harm culture across all operations.

· Lead and embed a safety-first mindset, making safety a non-negotiable priority at every level of the organization.

· Ensure full compliance with all local regulations, Knauf Group HSE standards, and industry best practices.

· Act as a visible safety leader, regularly engaging with teams on the shopfloor, reinforcing safe behaviors and accountability.

· Build and develop capability within the leadership team to ensure HSE ownership is cascaded effectively across all functions.

Planning and Continuous Improvement

· Create annual operating plans that support the set strategic directions and correlate with annual operating budgets.

· Identify new business and operational opportunities to be presented for approval to the GM and Regional Chief Technical Officer.

· Evaluate market trends to modify strategies that will enhance revenues and profitability.

· Foresee potential threats from competition and devise operational strategies to avoid and overcome them.

· Develop and implement production schedules to meet demand forecasts, ensuring optimal resource utilization and minimal downtime.

· Schedule preventive and predictive maintenance to reduce equipment failures and production interruptions.

· Implement lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity.

· Manage and mentor a diverse team, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

· Ensure optimal production efficiency while meeting quality and delivery targets.

· Develop and implement operational strategies to improve productivity, efficiency, and cost control.

Leadership And Management

· Promote a culture that reflects the organization’s values, encourages good performance, and rewards productivity.

· Provide general oversight of all Knauf activities while managing the day-to-day operations and assures smooth functioning, efficient organization.

· Develops future leadership within the organization including talent management and succession planning within Oran Plant.

· Approve and maintains the plant operation policies, procedures, and standards in line with Knauf global and regional policies.

· Provide leadership to the plant organization by directing activities towards the vision and mission of the organization and to ensure that all teams are aware of what they are required to achieve and how they are performing against their objectives.

· Ensure effective people development across the teams so that the company is equipped with human capital capable of achieving performance targets.

Financial Management

· Develops, consolidates and approves the total Plant & Investment Budget, Business Plans, Strategic & Financial objectives for Oran Plant.

· Approve operational - specific investments in co-ordination with the country GM and Regional Chief Technical Officer.

· Manage the organization’s resources within the budget guidelines.

· Implement cost-saving strategies in production while maintaining quality and operational effectiveness.

· Develop and manage the plant budget, controlling costs and improving profitability.

· Manage budgets and allocate resources effectively to meet production and business goals.

Sales Management

· Work closely with sales team to ensure production capacity aligns with customer demands and sales targets.

· Monitor stock levels and align production planning with sales forecasts to minimize the risk of overproduction or shortages.

· Support sales processes by ensuring timely and complete deliveries, enhancing customer satisfaction through efficient production planning.

· Optimize production cost to support pricing strategies, maintaining competitive pricing while ensuring profitability.

· Collaborate with R&D and sales teams to align production capabilities with new product developments and market demands.

Third Parties

· To build and maintain good rapport with governmental institutions.

· Manage suppliers and outsourcing companies .

People

· Recommends the functional structure within the plant organization for HR & Country GM& Regional Chief Technical Officer approval.

· Ensure continued availability of qualified human resources to meet the growth and evolving needs of the organization.

· Maintains and drives a professional, positive, innovative and inspiring work culture and assures a work environment that recruits, retains and supports quality employees.

· Develop direct reports through setting individual objectives, reviewing performance and providing ongoing formal and informal feedback and appraisal to maximize subordinate and business performance.

· Ensure the succession planning is in place by overseeing and managing the professional development and productivity of all staff members and making sure training per job level are taking place.

· Ensures performance management processes are in place and all grievances and disciplinary matters are dealt with in line with Company guidelines and local labor laws.

· Encourage a diverse and inclusive workplace by supporting company-wide DEI initiatives and enduring equal opportunities for all employees,

· Recommends improvements to the HR processes (e.g., manpower planning, travel, salary administration…etc.)

· To be a change leader to align the teams thinking to meet the challenges of the dynamic market environment.

· Lead the action plans for Gallup as Knauf’s engagement platform.

What we’d love for you to have:

We are interested in you as a person: your attitude, behaviors and values. As long as you have the willingness to learn anything you need for the role that you don't already have, we'd love to speak to you. If you have experience in the following areas – this is an added advantage:

Education

· Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business Management, or a related field (Master’s preferred).

Experience

· Proven experience (10+ years) in a plant management role within the building materials industry, preferably plasterboard, derivative and metal profile manufacturing.

· Ability to work across Matrix organization in an agile way.

Skills

· Ability to act as the spokesperson with superior communication skills, both written and verbal.

· Strong ability to build synergy across Commercial, Sales, People Management, Marketing and Supply Chain Management.

· Practical experience in managing relationships with diverse support functions.

· Agility in decision-making.

· Adaptability in execution proven ability in problem analysis, solving and rectification plans.

· Cooperatively work with others to produce and deliver required tasks and exercises collaborative teamwork.

· Implementing efficiency drives to improve business performance.

· Develop & maximize relationships with both team members inside and outside functions.

· Advanced proficiency in English, both written and spoken, to effectively communicate with international teams and stakeholders.

· Strong knowledge of production processes, equipment, and best practices in related production processes.

· Strong leadership and communication skills with a track record of team development.

· Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to make data-driven decisions.

· Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other process improvement methodologies.

· Proficiency in ERP systems and production management tools.

· Commitment to workplace safety and quality assurance standards.

· Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

· Knowledge of HSE regulations and quality management systems.

Knauf Leadership Competencies

· Deliver Results

· Empower change

· Build collaboration

· Drive engagement

· Shape Direction

Language

Fluency in Arabic and French (written and spoken); professional English proficiency required.

Travel

Willingness and ability to travel as needed across Algeria, Region and Global.

What happens next?

We appreciate that your time is precious and applying for a new job can be a lengthy process - so we have committed to replying to your application as soon as possible.