SkyWater Search Partners is representing a dynamic, mid-sized, entrepreneurial company as they look to hire a high-performing, experienced Executive Assistant to serve as a strategic partner to the Chief Executive Officer. This role is critical to enhancing executive effectiveness, maintaining organizational alignment, and driving key initiatives forward. Acting as an extension of the CEO, the Executive Assistant will manage communications, scheduling, priorities, and confidential matters with discretion and precision. The role may also provide occasional support to the Strategic Advisor/Owner.
This is not a traditional administrative position; it is a highly visible, influential role that requires strong business judgment, emotional intelligence, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, growth-oriented environment.
Our client is a leading family-owned global manufacturing and distribution company that has been around for over 180 years that sells into retailers. They own 65% of the market share globally! They’re seeking an HR Generalist to support their North American manufacturing and distribution facilities. This role will support all aspects of HR, support all employees, and will be a critical member of the HR team. This role reports to the Regional Human Resources Manager, North America.
SkyWater Search Partners has been engaged on a Human Resources Director for our client in central Minnesota. The client is a family-owned company that has been designing and producing premium skid steer attachments since 1989. They have grown into a leading manufacturer supplying customers across North America. This HR Director will play a key role overseeing HR operations across multiple locations. This position will partner closely with leadership to shape and execute the HR strategy while fostering a strong workplace culture.
HR Manager Opportunity (Retained Search) Direct Hire Permanent Position
Location: Zimmerman, MN (onsite daily requirement) Compensation: $120,000 base salary
About the Company
A global precision manufacturing company with a family-owned feel. For more than 20 years, this business has served high-growth industries including semiconductor, life sciences, and metrology. The company has scaled to mid-size, with 80 employees at its Zimmerman, MN headquarters and a newly launched international site.
The leadership team blends entrepreneurial roots with global vision and recognizes the need for formal HR to protect the business and support ongoing growth and expansion.
The Role
We’re looking for a hands-on Human Resources Manager to lead daily HR operations and partner with leadership to shape culture, strengthen accountability, and support continued growth.
Key areas of ownership:
Recruiting, onboarding, benefits, and employee relations
Supporting leaders with performance reviews, goal setting, and accountability
Ensuring compliance while simplifying policies and practices
Maximizing the newly implemented ADP platform (experience helpful, but not required)
Building HR as a trusted business partner across the organization
Nurturing and expanding the culture, demonstrating company values, and protecting its legacy as an employer of choice
What Hasn’t Worked
Approaches that jump straight to policy or “best practice” without first listening and learning.
What Will Work
Leaders who blend structure with flexibility
Pragmatic HR professionals who simplify vs. overcomplicate
Relationship-builders who foster trust, connection, and culture
HR leaders with manufacturing experience who take time to observe before acting, learn from the company’s long-tenured legacy leaders, and enjoy walking the floor to stay connected
Someone who has built strong cross-functional partnerships in the past, and is excited to do it again
Why This Role?
Competitive compensation package: $120K base salary
Direct-hire, permanent position
Opportunity to build and shape HR as a new function in a high-growth, people-first, owner-founded and led company
Strong alignment with leadership committed to culture and business partnership
If you or someone in your network is a fit, please share this opportunity, or apply directly by reaching out to me with your resume at DSmith@skywatersearch.com.
SkyWater is conducting the search for a highly organized, proactive, and resourceful Executive Assistant / Sales Operations Coordinator to directly support our client’s Senior Vice President of Sales and the entire Sales Operations team. This role is critical to enabling leaders and colleagues to focus on strategic priorities by streamlining day-to-day operations, managing information flow, and helping hold the team accountable to goals and deliverables.
If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy working closely with Sales and Marketing teams, and are known for anticipating needs before they arise, this is your chance to make a meaningful impact within a high-performing, growth-oriented team.
Human Resources Manager Location: Waseca, MN (Onsite – Non-Negotiable) Compensation: $100,000 – $110,000 base + STI Bonus
The Opportunity We’re partnering with a global leader in connector and fiber optics solutions, and they’re seeking a dynamic Human Resources Manager to lead HR across three U.S. sites (Waseca, MN, IL, & FL). This is a high-impact role reporting directly to the Vice President of Human Resources, with the unique opportunity to be developed as her successor.
Why This Role Matters As HR Manager, you’ll be the on-site leader in Waseca, overseeing multi-site HR operations and serving as a strategic business partner to plant leadership and functional teams. You’ll be the bridge between employees and leadership, driving HR initiatives that shape culture, improve retention, and support growth.
Key Responsibilities
Lead day-to-day HR operations for Waseca, Lombard, and Melbourne sites, with direct influence on organizational culture and employee engagement.
Partner with plant leadership to coach, advise, and strengthen team effectiveness.
Drive recruiting, onboarding, performance management, succession planning, and career development.
Ensure compliance with federal/state labor laws, internal policies, and best practices.
Lead investigations, employee relations, and ethics training with consistency and integrity.
Support safety, wellness, and payroll oversight for Waseca operations.
Influence change and process improvement in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
What We’re Looking For
Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, or related field.
6–10+ years of progressive HR experience, ideally in manufacturing.
Experience supporting multi-site operations and building strong cross-functional relationships.
Hands-on leader who balances tactical execution with strategic thinking.
Strong business acumen and ability to influence senior leadership.
Skilled in employee relations, compliance, performance management, and talent development.
HR certification (PHR, SHRM-CP) preferred; bilingual English/Spanish a plus.
What Success Looks Like
Trusted advisor and coach to plant and functional leaders.
Builder of strong employee engagement and retention strategies.
Driver of HR process improvements and scalable programs.
Viewed as a natural successor to the VP of HR — a leader ready to elevate HR across Cinch.
The Details
Salary Range: $100,000 – $110,000 base + STI bonus
Work Requirement: On-site in Waseca, MN (non-negotiable)
SkyWater Search is happy to partner with one of our fastest growing clients as they look to hire a Senior HR Generalist to support the company’s union/field workforce in a dynamic, multi-state construction environment. This role will focus on employee relations, leaves of absence, compliance, recruitment, and training, serving as a trusted partner to both employees and leadership.
We are looking for an energetic, people-focused HR Generalist some some robust union experience who loves to collaborate with HR team members, operational leaders, and external parties to come up with compelling solutions that support the employees and drive the business forward.
The target compensation for this role is anywhere between $90,000 – $115,000 depending on experience, plus bonus potential and highly competitive benefits. The company observes a hybrid work schedule of three days onsite, two days from home.
SkyWater Search is partnering with one of our fast-growing clients as they are looking to hire a collaborative, people-first HR Business Partner (HRBP) to join a growing HR team. In this strategic and hands-on role, you’ll support leaders across the business, build trusted relationships, and champion an employee-owned culture.
This is a great opportunity for a seasoned HR Generalist or Specialist ready to step into broader responsibilities and help shape a newer HRBP function. You’ll work across employee relations, organizational design, leave management, performance and talent development, culture, and change management, always with empathy, objectivity, and a business-minded lens.
This position can pay a competitive salary based on experience, but the target range is anywhere between $100,000 – $120,000 base salary.
If you’re passionate about aligning people and business strategy in a values-driven organization, we’d love to hear from you!
SkyWater Search Partners has been retained by a well-established, Midwest-based organization to lead the search for a Talent Acquisition Manager. This role sits within a respected, mission-driven company operating across multiple states with a large footprint in rural and agricultural communities. This individual will be responsible for developing and executing talent acquisition strategies that align with business needs while championing a culture of excellence, inclusion, and continuous improvement. This role oversees both strategic programs and hands-on recruiting efforts and will lead a small, dedicated team. It offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on workforce development, process improvement, and hiring practices across the organization. This position is based in Sleepy Eye, MN and follows a hybrid schedule (3 days/week onsite). Occasional travel to other facilities and career events may be required.
We’re partnering with a longstanding manufacturing client on their search for a strategic Human Resources Business Partner. This role will partner with business leadership on all talent priorities across the employee lifecycle, including performance, development, engagement, succession, retention, and employee relations. This role will also partner closely with the HR Centers of Excellence to design, deliver, and optimize people programs and practices. This role is ideal for an experienced HR Business Partner who has expertise in organizational effectiveness and talent management strategies and is energized by the opportunity to build, enhance, and drive strategic people initiatives. Compensation: $135K Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field
7+ years of progressive HRBP experience
Data analysis and HRIS (Workday) experience
Ability to communicate effectively and influence team members at all levels
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