Top 10: Manufacturing Directors
The manufacturing director plays a critical role in manufacturing operations.
Typically an industry veteran, they're the boots on the ground, overseeing everything inside factories from production to planning to organising to innovation on a daily basis.
Experts at troubleshooting issues and refining processes, the manufacturing director works across continents and departments, coordinating throughout the organisation to ensure product consistency, quality and effectiveness.
They need to stay up-to-date with market trends and emerging technologies, enhancing operations to increase competitiveness whilst monitoring production lines, overseeing logistics and handling the training and upskilling of staff.
Today, the manufacturing sector is undergoing significant upheaval and transformation - making this role even more demanding and challenging.
Which is why today at Manufacturing Digital we're highlighting some of the Manufacturing Directors who are truly setting new benchmarks for leadership and innovation in the industry.
Here's our top ten.
10. Hadi D., Director of Manufacturing, Kraft Heinz
Company: The Kraft Heinz Company
CEO: Carlos Abrams-Rivera
2023 Revenue: US$27bn
Employees: 37,000+
Founded: 2015 (through the merger of Kraft Foods and H.J. Heinz Company)
Kraft Heinz is one of the largest food and beverage manufacturers in the world. As it's manufacturing director, Hadi has a direct impact on it's global success, managing a huge and intricate system of manufacturing sites, supply chains and logistics.
With a proven track record of success, Hadi first joined Kraft Heinz in 2009 as an intern, before quickly ascending up the ranks to Operations Manager then Network Lead then Director as he remains today.
With a Black Belt certification in Lean and more than a decade of experience working at Kraft Heinz, Hadi is committed to increasing manufacturing efficiency and continuous improvement. His ability to successfully execute lean manufacturing strategies sets him apart as a leader in this sector.
9. Jean-Baptiste Lannou, Manufacturing Director for Europe, L'Oréal
Company: L'Oréal S.A.
CEO: Nicolas Hieronimus
2023 Revenue: US$44.88bn
Employees: 87,000
Founded: 1909
Jean-Baptiste Lannou is Manufacturing Director for European manufacturing at L'Oréal, the French global cosmetics manufacturer.
Europe is a critical market for L'Oréal, and for many other leading cosmetic brands.
As of this year the European cosmetics market is valued at US$22.97bn. This market is crowded, saturated with options for the average consumer.
Providing innovative, premium and unique products is where L'Oréal stands apart, products which exist due to the strength of its manufacturing.
Spearheading this manufacturing, Jean-Baptiste oversees production operations across key facilities whilst implementing innovative industry 4.0 technologies.
He's played a critical role in the company's digital transformation efforts, sustainability initiatives and long-term manufacturing strategies.
As manufacturing director his leadership ensures not just high-quality production, but the future of L'Oréal as a brand.
8. Rajesh Naik, Director of Manufacturing, BASF India
- Company: BASF SE
- CEO: Martin Brudermüller
- 2023 Revenue: US$73.79bn
- Employees: 111,500+
- Founded: 1865
Rajesh Naik, Director of Manufacturing at BASF India, has had a transformative role in bringing BASF's India-based operations back to life post COVID-19.
BASF is one of the world's largest chemical companies, which has made clear in recent years its strong commitments to sustainability.
As India undergoes it's own rapid development in the spheres of sustainability and manufacturing, with the rise of EVs, infrastructure electrification and "Make it in India" manufacturing initiatives, Rajesh has played a critical role in ensuring BASF's success.
An expert in chemical manufacturing processes and complex supply chain management, he drives operational excellence, implements new technologies and ensures clear safety compliance.
7. Mark Boyce, Director of Manufacturing Engineering, Airbus
Company: Airbus SE
CEO: Guillaume Faury
2023 Revenue: $US71.87bn
Employees: 134,000+
Founded: 1970 (as Airbus Industries)
The aerospace sector is undergoing phenomenal evolution, with manufacturer Airbus leading the way.
A industry leader in innovation and research, Airbus's success is down to the strength of its people- people like Mark Boyce, Director of Manufacturing Engineering.
He's responsible for overseeing the intricate engineering work that goes into aircraft production and manufacturing, optimising processes and ensuring quality control.
The people who do this physical and theoretical work have to deliver precision every single time due to the significant risks of this sector.
Mark steers Airbus's manufacturing operations at a pivotal time, adopting Industry 4.0 technologies to drive the development and innovation of the company forwards.
6. Marc Winkelman, Global Director IWS Manufacturing Excellence, Procter & Gamble
Company: The Procter & Gamble Company
CEO: Jon R. Moeller
2023 Revenue: US$82bn
Employees: 106,000
Founded: 1837
Mark Winkelman is Global Director of IWS Manufacturing Excellence at Procter & Gamble, a multinational consumer goods giant and one of the biggest manufacturers in the world.
P&G's global supply chain is vast, spanning 109 sites in 70 countries. The company's manufacturing and operational standards must be held across this entire system, which is an extremely challenging task. Addressing this is P&G's Integrated Work Systems (IWS), the company's long-standing operational excellence strategy.
Mark oversees this system while implementing Industry 4.0 technologies, optimising production processes, mentoring manufacturing teams and driving continuous improvement.
5. Vijay Mahajan, Senior Director, Manufacturing Operations, Pfizer
Company: Pfizer Inc.
CEO: Dr. Albert Bourla
2023 Revenue: US$58.5 billion
Employees: Approximately 79,000+
Founded: 1849
Pfizer is a pharmaceutical titan, relied upon by millions for access to vital drugs and medicines. In 2023, medicines and vaccines from the company treated approximately 618 people in more than 180 countries.
Vijay Mahajan is Senior Director of Manufacturing Operations at the company, responsible for delivering these drugs to consumers whilst optimising manufacturing processes and managing global supply chain operations.
In pharmaceutical manufacturing product lines must consistent quality with deviations or mistakes being potentially life-threatening. Technology is key to ensuring this consistency, which is why Vijay is an expert in implementing and understanding Industry 4.0 solutions. As Director he ensures regulatory compliance, operational excellence and synergy across a diversity of manufacturing environments.
4. Eva Dixon, Senior Director, Manufacturing Design at Apple
Company: Apple Inc.
CEO: Tim Cook
2023 Revenue: US$394.3bn
Employees: 164,000
Founded: 1976
Apple is a global leader in innovation and technology. As iconic as it is ubiquitous, millions upon millions of people buy the company's products every year.
Ensuring they deliver on quality, features and style is Eva Dixon, Senior Director of Manufacturing Design.
With 25 years of experience in product research, global team management and large scale manufacturing, Eva leads the development of manufacturing processes for Apple's most cutting-edge products.
She oversees and increases innovation in production techniques, to optimise efficiency and ensure high, consistent standards. Apple is always at the forefront of emerging technologies and Eva is a manufacturing leader that can match that, whilst ensuring it maintains its reputation for distinctive product design.
3. Nikki Walker, Senior Director of Manufacturing and Warehouse at PepsiCo
Company: PepsiCo, Inc
CEO: Ramon Laguarta
2023 Revenue: US$91bn
Employees: 315,000
Founded: 1965
Nikki Walker is the Senior Director of Manufacturing and Warehouse at PepsiCo, a manufacturer that needs no introduction.
Overseeing huge logistics and production operations across multiple facilities, Nikki is an established manufacturing expert known for her leadership, due diligence and ability to effectively get things done.
She plays a key role in driving operational excellence at PepsiCo, implementing advanced manufacturing technologies and pursuing higher product and production standards.
With such a diverse product portfolio, PepsiCo's manufacturing operations need a leader capable of simultaneously managing many moving parts - effectively scaling new brands and maintaining the success of established ones. Nikki delivers in this area, shaping the company's manufacturing and warehousing strategies.
2. Scott Rosenberg, Senior Director, Partner Manufacturing and Engineering, Nike
Company: Nike, Inc.
CEO: John Donahoe
2023 Revenue: US$51.22bn
Employees: Approximately 79,400
Founded: 1971
Scott Rosenberg is Senior Director of Partner Manufacturing and Engineering at Nike, known for its athletic shoes, apparel and sports equipment.
He leads a team of 85% across six countries, with extensive experience in manufacturing, quality, and engineering from his time at Nike, Motorola and Texas Instruments.
Scott oversees 50% of Nike's global footwear production, meaning he leads the development, innovation and production of some of the company's most beloved products.
From 3D-printing to harnessing the power of AI, Scott has been managing the incredible experimentation and innovation we've been seeing with Nike on the footwear side.
With skills and experience spanning lean manufacturing and six Sigma, Scott is known for his strong leadership qualities and desire to empower teams and pursue greater manufacturing results.
On LinkedIn he announced he would be leaving the company, and we look forward to where his career takes him next.
1. Brian Marsh, Senior Director, Digital Manufacturing, Nestlé USA
Company: Nestlé S.A.
CEO: Laurent Freixe
2023 Revenue: US$105.52bn
Employees: 273,000
Founded: 1866
Senior Director of Digital Manufacturing at Nestlé USA, Brian tops our list due to the incredible innovation and results he's brought around during his career.
At Nestlé's USA division he developed the company's first ever digital manufacturing strategy, achieving an impressive 99.96% uptime for factory operations technology infrastructure.
It's hard to state how much of a achievement this is as manufacturing undergoes it's fourth industrial revolution.
Nestlé is the biggest food and drink manufacturer on earth, with operations spanning 188 countries. It's an industry leader: when it leads, others follow.
Brian's successful launch of the company's first digital manufacturing strategy not only has vindicated the use of these technologies within their own operations, but others too, driving superior adoption and innovation across the sector.
Brian leads a team of 68 dedicated professionals, with expertise spanning smart manufacturing, robotics, machine learning and IoT. He's also a North America Digital Manufacturing Zone Leader, who ensures coordination and best practice sharing across Nestlé's operating companies.
In addition to all this, he's another manufacturing director that continues to impress us.
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