- November 9, 2026
- Open Positions
Senior Plant Manager – гр. Русе
Manufacturing · Steel Foundry · Plant Leadership
Senior Plant Manager
Lead a steel foundry operation, drive manufacturing excellence, and manage strategic investments in production capacity and operational development.
Senior Manufacturing Leadership
Proven plant management experience and a strong background in steel or alloy foundry operations
Engineering Degree
Mechanical, Industrial, Metallurgical, Materials Engineering, or a related technical discipline
Operations & Industrial Engineering
Production management, process optimization, KPI-driven performance, and investment projects
About the Position
Lead Production. Drive Excellence. Shape Future Growth.
Horizons Bulgaria is looking for an experienced and results-oriented professional for the position of Senior Plant Manager on behalf of an established international manufacturing group specializing in high-quality steel castings and components for demanding industrial applications.
The company’s products serve industries including energy, Oil & Gas, petrochemicals, water treatment, marine applications, and other technically demanding sectors. Its manufacturing operations are with a strong focus on product quality, technical specifications, and customer requirements.
The successful candidate will take full responsibility for managing the company’s production facility in Ruse, Bulgaria, overseeing manufacturing operations, industrial engineering, maintenance, quality, purchasing, and people management.
This is a senior leadership position requiring a combination of hands-on foundry expertise, strong operational management capabilities, and a structured approach to industrial engineering and continuous improvement.
A particularly important part of the role will be leading the implementation and commissioning of a new production installation, supporting the expansion of the plant’s manufacturing capabilities.
The position reports directly to the Group Industrial Director and involves close cooperation with the international headquarters in Spain.
Key Responsibilities
What You Will Be Responsible For
Plant Operations & Production Management
- Take full responsibility for the overall operational performance of the manufacturing facility, including production, engineering, maintenance, quality, purchasing, and human resources.
- Oversee the complete steel casting production process, from patternmaking and coremaking through moulding, melting, pouring, cutting, grinding, heat treatment, testing, and final delivery.
- Ensure effective production planning, capacity utilization, and resource allocation to meet customer requirements and delivery commitments.
- Monitor manufacturing performance, focusing on productivity, production yield, material consumption, scrap reduction, quality, and manufacturing costs.
- Coordinate production activities across departments to ensure efficient material flows and timely completion of orders.
- Ensure compliance with occupational health and safety requirements, environmental regulations, and applicable manufacturing quality standards.
Industrial Engineering & Operational Excellence
- Develop and optimize manufacturing processes, production methods, plant layout, material flows, and equipment utilization.
- Establish clear operational standards, work instructions, production targets, and responsibilities across manufacturing departments.
- Implement effective production planning and control systems, monitoring work in progress, lead times, and delivery performance.
- Define, monitor, and improve key performance indicators, including productivity, equipment efficiency, metal yield, scrap, rework, energy consumption, and cost per kilogram.
- Identify operational bottlenecks, investigate performance deviations, and implement structured corrective and preventive actions.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing principles, standardized work, 5S, and systematic problem-solving methodologies.
Investment Projects & Production Development
- Lead the implementation of a new production installation, from technical planning and supplier coordination to commissioning and operational start-up.
- Coordinate engineering activities, infrastructure requirements, equipment installation, and integration with existing production processes.
- Ensure that the implementation project is completed within the approved budget, schedule, and technical requirements.
- Plan the production start-up while maintaining continuity of existing manufacturing operations.
- Coordinate employee training, process validation, and the establishment of new production standards.
- Ensure that the new installation achieves its targeted capacity, productivity, quality, and operating cost objectives.
Maintenance, Purchasing & Financial Management
- Oversee preventive and corrective maintenance activities to ensure equipment reliability and minimize production downtime.
- Manage the maintenance of furnaces, moulding equipment, heat treatment facilities, cranes, and other critical production assets.
- Coordinate purchasing activities related to raw materials, alloys, consumables, spare parts, equipment, and technical services.
- Prepare and manage the plant’s operational budget, monitoring manufacturing costs, expenditures, and investments.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities and implement initiatives to improve operational and financial performance.
- Collaborate with the international headquarters on purchasing, investment planning, and financial reporting.
People Management & Organizational Development
- Lead and develop multidisciplinary teams across production, engineering, maintenance, quality, purchasing, and administration.
- Establish an effective organizational structure with clearly defined responsibilities, reporting lines, and performance expectations.
- Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, training, employee development, and shift organization.
- Build a culture of accountability, operational discipline, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
- Support the professional development of team leaders, supervisors, and technical specialists.
Digital Management & International Coordination
- Lead the implementation and adoption of integrated production management, planning, maintenance, HR, and reporting systems.
- Ensure accurate and consistent operational data collection and reporting across the plant.
- Use digital tools and performance dashboards to support production planning, KPI monitoring, and management decisions.
- Collaborate closely with the international management team on production capacity, technical matters, quality, delivery commitments, and strategic initiatives.
- Prepare regular reports on plant performance, operational KPIs, financial results, and improvement projects.
Experience and Qualifications
Who We Are Looking For
Education & Professional Experience
- A university degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Metallurgy, Materials Engineering, or a related technical field.
- Solid professional experience in steel or alloy foundry operations, with practical knowledge of moulding, melting, pouring, heat treatment, and finishing processes.
- Proven experience as a Plant Manager, Production Director, or in a comparable senior manufacturing leadership position.
- Strong background in industrial engineering, production organization, manufacturing methods, and production planning and control.
- Demonstrated experience in managing manufacturing performance, improving productivity, controlling costs, and achieving operational targets.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, including production supervisors, engineers, maintenance specialists, and technical personnel.
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing KPIs and performance management methodologies.
Technical & Management Competencies
- Strong understanding of steel casting technologies, manufacturing processes, and industrial equipment.
- Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with a structured approach to operational management.
- Ability to manage complex manufacturing operations, set clear priorities, and deliver measurable results.
- Experience in continuous improvement, Lean Manufacturing, or Six Sigma methodologies is an advantage.
- Experience in commissioning new production equipment or manufacturing lines is highly desirable.
- Knowledge of casting inspection, testing, certification, and relevant quality standards, including ISO 9001, is an advantage.
- Experience with ERP, MES, or computerized maintenance management systems is beneficial.
- Fluency in Bulgarian and English, both written and spoken. Knowledge of Spanish is an advantage.
Professional Approach
Technical Expertise. Strong Leadership. Measurable Results.
We are looking for a manufacturing leader who combines in-depth knowledge of steel foundry operations with strong industrial engineering and people management capabilities.
The ideal candidate understands the technical challenges of complex casting processes and has the ability to translate operational data into practical improvements in productivity, quality, delivery performance, and manufacturing costs.
A structured, hands-on management approach is essential, together with the ability to establish clear responsibilities, develop teams, and create a culture of operational accountability.
We value professionals who can successfully manage day-to-day production while maintaining a strategic perspective on investment projects, manufacturing development, and long-term operational efficiency.
Career Opportunity
What This Role Offers
Competitive Remuneration
An attractive compensation package aligned with professional experience and responsibilities, including an annual performance-based bonus. Relocation support may be discussed.
Strategic Leadership & Investment Projects
Full responsibility for managing an established manufacturing facility, with the opportunity to lead significant investment projects, expand production capacity, and drive operational improvements.
International Environment & Career Growth
Direct collaboration with an experienced international management team and a clear long-term development perspective, including potential progression to a Country Manager role for Bulgaria as the business expands.
Application
Ready to Lead the Next Stage of Manufacturing Growth?
If you have proven experience in steel foundry operations, strong manufacturing leadership capabilities, and the ambition to drive operational excellence and industrial development, we would be delighted to consider your application.
This is an excellent opportunity to take full responsibility for a manufacturing facility, lead a significant production investment project, and contribute to the long-term growth of an international industrial group.
Apply with an up-to-date CV. The Horizons Bulgaria team will contact candidates whose professional experience and competencies best match the requirements of the position.
Horizons is a leading recruitment company specializing in expert and management positions with 20 years of experience in the Bulgarian market. Our team consists of business-oriented consultants with industrial specialization, a professional understanding of business trends, and a proactive approach toward recruiting and hiring through different methodologies and innovations.
Horizons owns license No 2118 from 27.09.2016.
