Skywater is seeking an experienced, strategic Purchasing Specialist to lead the purchasing functions of a rapidly expanding custom manufacturer. This role will build upon an existing purchasing framework while also, due to growth of the organization, require you to improve purchasing processes, sourcing strategies, expand vendor options and vendor management systems while running the day to day procurement functions
You will coordinate heavily with manufacturing, engineering, and the planner to source materials for multiple concurrent projects with customized BOMs, timelines, and vendor requirements. This person will also play a key part in a new ERP system implementation.
Primary categories include metals, electrical and controls parts, hydraulic and fluid power components, automation and industrial equipment components, as well as outsourced services at times.
We’re partnering with a privately held manufacturer of highly engineered, custom equipment to identify a General Manager who will help lead the next phase of the company’s growth.
This is an opportunity for a builder and operator. Someone who enjoys creating structure, developing people, and implementing the systems needed to scale a growing business. You’ll partner closely with ownership to improve operational execution while helping shape the long-term direction of the organization.
Responsibilities
Lead day-to-day manufacturing operations and cross-functional execution.
Build scalable operating systems, KPIs, accountability, and meeting cadence.
Drive Lean, Continuous Improvement, and operational excellence initiatives.
Improve production planning, scheduling, purchasing, project management, and customer delivery.
Lead ERP implementation and optimization efforts.
Develop leaders and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Partner with ownership to execute strategic growth initiatives.
Qualifications
Progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations.
Experience within an engineer-to-order (ETO), custom equipment, industrial machinery, automation, metal fabrication, or similar manufacturing environment.
Proven success building processes, improving operational performance, and scaling organizations.
Strong Lean/Continuous Improvement background.
Experience implementing or operating within EOS, Traction, Scaling Up, or a similar business operating system is highly desirable.
ERP implementation or optimization experience preferred.
Hands-on leader who enjoys solving problems, building teams, and driving sustainable growth.
This opportunity offers significant visibility, influence, and long-term growth potential for a leader who wants to make a meaningful impact within an entrepreneurial manufacturing organization.
SkyWater Search Partners is excited to be partnering with a leading alternative investment firm specializing in residential real estate and credit to identify an Operations Associate to join their growing team in the Twin Cities.
This firm is one of the most vertically integrated platforms in the residential credit space – originating mortgages, acquiring distressed and re-performing loan portfolios, managing residential rental properties, and running private equity funds and separately managed accounts across the full ecosystem. With assets under management that have scaled from $17 billion to $60 billion over the past several years, this is a firm that is still building and investing in the infrastructure and people needed to support that growth. The operations team this role sits on was recently carved out as its own dedicated function – a direct reflection of how seriously leadership is approaching operational excellence at scale.
This is a compelling opportunity for a candidate with an investment operations or fund accounting background who wants to be close to the deal, work with real data, and grow with a platform that is not slowing down.
The Opportunity
As an Operations Associate, you will sit at the center of the firm’s residential credit platform, supporting the full operational lifecycle of every deal they close. Reporting to the VP of Operations, you will manage and assist with the monthly remittance process, monthly financing administration across multiple investment banks, new mortgage pool closings, and new financing line setups including repurchase agreements and securitizations. You will work directly alongside fund controllers and the trustee/paying agent, and will have a hands-on role building and improving the processes that underpin the platform.
Key Responsibilities
Prepare and reconcile remittance information across residential credit funds and separately managed accounts, including monthly cash tie-outs and data validations
Support interim servicing reconciliation and liaise with IT and data teams to automate and enhance existing processes
Serve as settlement contact on all deal closings, including mortgage pool closings, repurchase agreements, securitizations, EBO repoolings, and wire setup
Complete all new account setups, including know-your-client requests and document management
Conduct monthly financing rolls across whole loans, securities, and swaps, and load all information into the internal SQL database
Provide fund administrators and fund accounting teams with supporting schedules for trial balance tie-outs
Support Selene remittance and investor reporting through data enhancement and automation initiatives
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or equivalent business experience
3 to 5 years of experience in investment operations, fund accounting, or a related field
Strong preference for candidates with residential mortgage loan or REO accounting and operations experience
SQL knowledge preferred; must be comfortable working directly with large, complex datasets
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and written and verbal communication
Self-starter who can operate independently in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
SkyWater is partnering with a well-known general contractor in the Twin Cities who’s looking for a Sr. Project Manager for their team! Our client is privately held, they’ve been in business for over 70 years, they have multiple locations across the US, and they’ve been growing at fast clip the last couple years (around 25%). This role is open due to a recent promotion, and we’re looking for someone who can own the full life-cycle of large, complex construction projects. The Sr. Project Manager will be responsible for managing multiple projects while overseeing the projects scope, budget, schedule, and profitability while maintaining client satisfaction. This role will focus on projects in the healthcare & life science space and the Sr. PM will work on projects across the United States. We’re looking for an experienced construction Project Manager, who has led the full life-cycle of construction projects within healthcare, life science, education or a similar sector. Our client is offering a competitive base salary, bonus potential, excellent benefits and the opportunity to grow your career with their organization as they continue to scale!
Are you a data-driven problem solver who loves turning complex operational challenges into clear, actionable insights? We’re looking for a Senior Financial Analyst to drive workforce strategy and operational analytics across customer service and operational teams.
In this role, you’ll connect finance, operations, and workforce planning to help leaders answer questions like: Where are the bottlenecks? Are staffing, process, or productivity issues slowing us down? How can we optimize resources to improve service and revenue?
Only candidates located in Minnesota will be considered.
SUMMARY The Controls Engineer III is responsible for developing innovative automation solutions for packaging machinery. This role provides leadership to a cross-functional team of mechanical and controls engineers, assembly technicians, and validation staff in a matrix organization, with an emphasis on new product development and engineering for commercial products. Working closely with the Electrical Engineering Manager, this individual specifies new equipment in alignment with market needs.
This job description highlights the primary responsibilities and authority of the position but is not intended to be all-inclusive.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
New Machinery Development
Create new machinery concepts, including automation specifications, configuration options, and cost targets for prototype systems.
Estimate time and material requirements for new machinery quotes.
Direct concept development using test rigs and components.
Present specifications for milestone reviews and maintain updated documentation.
Report project deviations, risks, and cost variances to the Electrical Engineering Manager.
Engineering of New Equipment and Machinery Lines
Develop automation platforms, control architectures, electrical assemblies, schematics, and bills of material (BOMs).
Design control cabinet layouts, conduit systems, and program HMI, PLC, and robotic control software.
Document BOMs and ensure accuracy for product configuration.
Manage and record all Engineering Change Requests (ECRs) and Engineering Change Notices (ECNs).
Lead technical design reviews to ensure peer review and knowledge sharing.
Ensure compliance with all applicable safety standards (OSHA, EU Machinery Directive, and local authorities) and integrate safety risk assessments.
Provide project management and technical leadership from order entry through field testing.
Serve as the technical liaison with customers, sales, and project management, communicating specifications, project plans, and change orders.
Direct assembly and validation staff during build and test phases.
Partner with sales, project management, and service teams to resolve technical field issues.
Upon field test completion, transfer prototype documentation to the commercial engineering team.
Process Improvement and Knowledge Sharing
Mentor colleagues in machinery development practices and serve as a subject matter expert (SME) in key competency areas.
Support refinement of the product development process to improve lead times, cost efficiency, quality, and safety.
Stay current on automation technologies and share insights with the engineering team.
Report machine performance and safety concerns to the Electrical Engineering Manager.
Perform other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, or associate degree in Engineering with 7+ years of relevant experience designing and programming PLC, HMI, and servo control systems.
Experience with high-speed servo-driven machinery required.
Familiarity with Allen-Bradley (AB) and Fanuc PLC systems.
Proficiency with Rockwell Automation software and hardware (RSLogix5000, ControlLogix, CompactLogix, PowerFlex VFDs, Kinetix servo drives, PanelView HMIs) preferred.
5+ years of AutoCAD experience in schematic generation required.
Experience with 3D parametric CAD and Product Data Management (PDM) systems preferred.
Prior exposure to packaging or cam-driven machinery preferred.
Experience specifying robotics and pick-and-place systems preferred.
Project management and customer-facing experience strongly preferred.
TECHNICAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Capable of designing and managing control systems for machinery and integrated packaging lines.
Strong ability to read, analyze, and troubleshoot electrical schematics and engineering software.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools.
Skilled in mentoring and leading design and project teams.
Strong problem-solving, troubleshooting, and critical thinking abilities.
Ability to adapt to a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
Communicates effectively, both verbally and in writing, with individuals and groups at all levels, internal and external.
Works collaboratively with cross-functional teams and demonstrates flexibility in partnering with diverse personalities.
Contributes to team problem-solving by suggesting ideas and resolving issues constructively.
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