Interim Plant Manager (m/f) – Metal processing
Be present where decisions make a difference to plant performance.
The assignment and starting situation
A metal processing company in North Rhine-Westphalia is seeking an Interim Plant Manager for a leadership transition. The assignment combines a visible presence at the plant with a clear view of performance, quality and resources. You bring the agreed plant functions together and provide direction while operations continue. Your approach is direct and transparent: listen carefully, check the facts on site and make decisions with the responsible leaders.
Your brief
You take temporary plant leadership and stabilise collaboration between production and supporting functions. The priorities are dependable routines, clear decisions and disciplined management of deviations. Workplace safety and quality remain core decision criteria. The precise scope of maintenance, logistics and other plant functions will be clarified before the assignment starts.
Your responsibilities
- Assess plant performance and constraints with the relevant functions.
- Align production objectives, quality requirements and available resources.
- Support site leaders and strengthen collaboration across plant functions.
- Implement and track priority improvements during ongoing operations.
- Record decisions, risks and outstanding actions for a clear handover.
- Strengthen regular coordination between manufacturing and maintenance, prioritising actions by operational risk and practical impact.
Your experience
- Experience in plant management or a comparable industrial site leadership role.
- Knowledge of production systems, workplace safety and operational performance management.
- Visible leadership and experience stabilising or developing manufacturing plants.
- Business-fluent German, good English.
Your scope of responsibility
You work within an explicitly agreed mandate. Leadership scope, budget responsibility and decision authority are defined in the briefing. The title alone does not grant unrestricted powers. What matters is taking ownership, making decisions transparent and involving the appropriate stakeholders promptly when priorities conflict.
What should remain after your assignment
The continuing organisation should inherit clear leadership routines, visible constraints and prioritised actions. Your documentation covers not just metrics but the causes of significant deviations and the effect of corrective steps. Improvements should be sustainable rather than dependent on your personal presence.
Assignment arrangements
- Industry: Metal processing
- Region: North Rhine-Westphalia
- Start: At short notice by agreement
- Planned duration: 6 months
- Commitment: 5 days per week
- Working arrangement: On site at the plant
- Travel: Travel beyond the plant as needed
- Engagement model: independent interim assignment. Commercial terms and the specific engagement are agreed before starting.
Working with DP
Dümpelfeld Partners supports selection and the assignment through personal dialogue. The client remains anonymous in the public advert. Apply with your CV and, if you wish, add your availability and experience from comparable assignments. No cover letter or account is required. We share your full CV with the client only with your explicit consent for that disclosure. Joining the talent pool is optional and is not a condition of this application. Contact [email protected] with questions about the role.
Frequently asked questions
Can the assignment be delivered remotely?
The proposed arrangement is on site at the plant. Visible leadership and collaboration with plant functions are central to the brief.
Which plant functions are included?
Plant leadership is the focus. The precise allocation of production, maintenance, logistics and other functions is established during the assignment briefing.
Apply for this assignment
No account and no cover letter required. The role and reference number are included automatically.
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