We’re partnering with a leading industrial equipment manufacturer to find a Director of Operations that will drive scalability, operational alignment, and leadership development across three manufacturing sites. This individual will guide a healthy, growing business through its next phase of expanding capacity, introducing new capabilities, and uniting three strong but independent sites under a shared vision
Key Responsibilities
Lead Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, and Safety functions across sites
Build structure, processes, and metrics that enable scalable growth
Mentor and develop plant managers and functional leaders
Support ERP implementation and promote data-driven decision making
Lead expansion into new product categories via organic growth or acquisition
Drive cost and efficiency initiatives
Foster collaboration and shared culture
Qualifications
10+ years of operations leadership in industrial/fabrication environments
Multi-site or large plant management experience is required
Proven record of scaling operations and leading transformation
Preferred Attributes
Hands-on, approachable leader who teaches and mentors
Confident with executives and credible with the plant floor
Comfortable driving change while maintaining collaborative culture
Excited to build systems and structure, not just maintain them
The Service Operations Manager is designed as a leadership continuity role—supporting internal service operations while blending people leadership, process optimization, and system management across service, parts, and warranty.
This person will directly manage the customer service team (5–6 employees) and coordinate with field service, sales, and manufacturing to ensure customer issues are handled efficiently. The role’s emphasis is less on technical machine expertise and more on organizational structure, problem-solving under pressure, and process improvement.
SkyWater is excited to partner with a $100M Private Food Manufacturing company as they are looking to add a Staff Accountant to their team. We are seeking a high-energy, analytically minded accountant who thrives in dynamic, fast-paced environments, is naturally curious, tech-savvy, and eager to make a meaningful impact across the organization. This role is reporting to the Accounting Manager and has high visibility to senior leadership.
A local independent investment firm with more than $10B in AUM is looking for a Senior Marketing and Communications professional.
This person will take a leading role in marketing distribution and creative services across all products for external clients as well as for internal stakeholders. This person will work across departments in a highly collaborative and flat organization.
We are looking for a go-getter with 5-7 years of experience, a pro-active, independent thinker that can work on complex projects and anticipate company needs. Knowledge of investment/financial services a strong plus.
*on-site 3 days a week, in a gorgeous office space in Downtown St. Paul
If you’re interested in hearing more, please reach out to jamende@skywatersearch.com
A growing medical device contract manufacturer is seeking a Customer Service Operations Manager to lead and develop a six-person team supporting order fulfillment, logistics, and customer communication. This is a hands-on leadership position driving customer experience, process improvement, and team performance within a regulated manufacturing environment. The role is ideal for a proactive leader who can balance coaching with direct customer engagement.
Overview
Manage key and complex customer accounts directly (40–50% of role).
Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, and customer focus.
Transition the team from transactional to proactive service.
Strengthen relationships between Customer Service, Operations, and Quality.
Standardize processes across multiple business units.
Implement metrics and systems to improve service and data.
Support ERP implementation in the near future
Identify and drive quick wins in responsiveness and communication.
Fully on-site position with limited travel (~10%).
Requirements
5+ years in customer service roles, including 3+ years leading a team.
Experience in a fast paced, regulated manufacturing environment, ideally medical device.
Strong people leadership, coaching, and change management skills.
Hands-on approach with comfort managing key accounts.
Excellent communication and problem-solving across cross-functional teams.
We are partnering exclusively with a PE-backed, tech enabled mental health organization to help them build out their new accounting team as they continue to grow. This is an opportunity to get in on the ground floor to define and build process, be creative, and work for a strong Controller and CEO who are supportive, growth-minded, and love to mentor.
Payroll Manager – Family-Owned, Multi-Entity Organization Green Bay, WI (Onsite, 5 days/week) ? Up to $125,000 base + strong benefits Join a company where stability meets growth – and people always come first. We’re partnering with a family-owned organization headquartered in Green Bay, WI, with more than 40 business units and 80+ locations across the U.S. and Canada. For over 70 years, this company has built a reputation for quality, integrity, and service in the building materials and manufacturing space. Their culture is collaborative, down-to-earth, and built on doing the right thing for customers and employees alike. They’re seeking a Payroll Manager to lead payroll operations for a 900+ employee, multi-entity organization spanning the U.S. and Canada. This role is ideal for someone who loves the challenge of complex payroll, enjoys mentoring a strong team, and thrives in a company that values both precision and people.
Our client is an employee-owned industrial equipment manufacturer on an ambitious growth trajectory, aiming to triple over the next decade. This is your opportunity to be the marketing leader who helps make that happen.
The Company
For over 35 years, this company has been delivering innovative equipment to its customer base. They operate factory-direct in an industry dominated by dealer networks, which means closer customer relationships and a unique go-to-market model. With a 90% employee retention rate, 70 NPS score, and 50% repeat customer business, they’ve built something incredibly special.
The Opportunity
This is a leadership role reporting directly to the CEO as part of the executive team. Your first major initiative is to partner with a global marketing agency to execute a complete brand refresh and website overhaul. From there, you’ll own the full marketing strategy – balancing brand building, demand generation, and customer experience to drive measurable growth.
You’ll lead a small team and work with top-tier agency partners while having access to a sales and marketing affinity group across the portfolio’s 10+ companies. Achieve startup-level impact with the resources of an established company.
What makes this role unique:
Join a company with aggressive growth plans and the backing to achieve them
Employee ownership (ESOP) means you’ll have real equity, not just salary
Direct access to the CEO and a seat at the strategic leadership table
Marketing solutions that create both economic opportunity and environmental sustainability
What You’ll Do
Build and execute a commercial-minded B2B marketing strategy that generates qualified leads for an independent sales force selling capital equipment with buying cycles of 3-9 months. You’ll own trade show strategy, digital marketing, content creation, CRM optimization, and the metrics that connect marketing to sales outcomes.
What You Need
7-10 years of progressive marketing experience with at least 3+ years in leadership roles
Strong B2B marketing background in industrial manufacturing, construction equipment, agricultural equipment, or similar capital-intensive markets
Proven success in developing marketing strategies that support complex, consultative sales processes
Hands-on experience across digital marketing, brand strategy, trade shows, CRM, and marketing automation
Strong analytical skills with the ability to connect marketing efforts to business growth
Ability to travel 15-25% for trade shows and customer visits
Must be willing to work on-site in the St. Cloud, MN area (relocation support available for the right candidate)
Why This Role
Beyond competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, you’ll join an employee-owned company where your ownership stake grows with the business. You’ll have access to resources typically reserved for much larger companies while working in an organization where your individual impact is immediate and visible. If you’re looking for meaningful work, a real leadership opportunity, and the chance to help build something significant, this could be your next chapter.
SkyWater is partnering with a leading Minneapolis-based contract manufacturing and commercial services company. This role blends strategic sales, account management, and advocacy for their impactful mission.
They’re hiring a Strategic Business Development & Client Growth Manager to drive revenue growth while building and maintaining strong client relationships. The ideal candidate has a strong ‘hunter’ mentality, ability to maintain strong relationships with an existing client base and proven ability to deliver results.
Ability to travel throughout the state of Minnesota, as well as Wisconsin and Iowa are required, with heaviest focus being near the Twin Cities and surrounding areas.
We’re looking for a Manufacturing Manager to lead production operations in an assembly and machining environment. This role is a floor-first leadership position who will develop and coach supervisors, drive KPIs, and partner with cross-functional teams to deliver safe, high-quality, efficient operations.
This role will report directly to the VP of Operations and be critical to plant optimization and workflow.
Compensation Range: 100k-125k + bonus.
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