National Sales Representative – Industrial Grease

  • Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Remote: Remote
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #49585

Our client is a leading provider of industrial chemicals that partners with a variety of companies across the nation. They are seeking to add a Business Development Manager primarily focused on expanding market share in the North American industrial grease and lubrication sector. This position is responsible for developing new business opportunities and managing existing accounts for their OEM products. This individual will drive revenue by leveraging deep technical expertise and market knowledge to meet the evolving demands of their customers. This role will have support from peers and sales support from the internal team to best serve the customer. This role will have the ability to work remotely and compensates well through base salary plus commission along with good benefits.
 

VP of People and Culture

  • Location: Red Wing, Minnesota
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #49510

Our client is at a pivotal stage of growth and is seeking a strategic, people-first, and business-savvy leader to serve as the Vice President of People and Culture. As a key member of the executive leadership team, this role is responsible for architecting and executing an integrated people strategy that aligns with business objectives, enhances organizational culture, scales talent, and strengthens employee experience across the company.
This individual will lead all facets of HR, including organizational development, talent acquisition, compensation, compliance, performance management, and employee engagement. The successful candidate will bring a proactive, data-driven approach and be passionate about developing people, building strong teams, and driving culture as a strategic asset.


Key Responsibilities:
Strategic HR & Talent Leadership

  • Partner with senior leadership to develop and execute a comprehensive people strategy aligned with business growth.
  • Lead organizational design, succession planning, and talent management to build future-ready teams and leadership pipelines.
  • Serve as a cultural champion, reinforcing values such as integrity, accountability, collaboration, and humility.
  • Leverage HR analytics and KPIs to inform decisions and assess effectiveness of programs and initiatives.

Talent Acquisition & Employer Brand

  • Develop and execute a long-term talent acquisition strategy that aligns with business growth objectives, workforce planning, and the company’s value proposition.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to senior executives and business leaders, translating talent needs into actionable hiring strategies.
  • Enhance the employer brand and ensure a seamless and compelling candidate experience from application through onboarding.
  • Partner with external vendors and internal stakeholders to build scalable, effective hiring processes.
  • Enhance the employer brand and ensure a seamless and compelling candidate experience from application through onboarding.
  • Partner with external vendors and internal stakeholders to build scalable, effective hiring processes.

People Operations & Compliance

  • Oversee HR operations including HRIS, payroll, benefits administration, employee relations, and legal compliance.
  • Ensure consistent application of HR policies and legal compliance across multi-state operations.
  • Stay current on labor laws, regulatory changes, and HR best practices to mitigate risk and maintain operational excellence.
  • Manage audits, investigations, and compliance training programs.

Culture, Engagement & Communication

  • Drive employee engagement initiatives that reinforce purpose, increase retention, and promote a thriving workplace culture.
  • Embed organizational values throughout the employee lifecycle, from onboarding to career development.
  • Lead internal communication efforts to support change management, transparency, and alignment.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to leadership and a visible, approachable leader for all employees.

Learning & Performance Development

  • Build a culture of performance accountability and continuous improvement.
  • Design leadership development and high-potential training programs that support business growth and succession planning.
  • Hold leaders accountable for coaching, developing talent, and fostering team performance.
  • Establish recognition and feedback programs that reinforce desired behaviors and outcomes.

Compensation & Total Rewards

  • Lead the design and execution of compensation strategies that are market-competitive and performance-driven.
  • Conduct benchmarking, salary reviews, and incentives planning to attract and retain top talent.
  • Ensure pay equity, internal fairness, and compliance with applicable wage and hour laws.

Team Leadership

  • Lead and develop a high-performing HR team, setting clear expectations and fostering growth opportunities.
  • Promote a culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability across the department and company.
  • Align HR team goals with broader business strategies and ensure HR excellence in execution.

Qualifications:

  • 10+ years of progressive HR experience with at least 5 years in a senior or executive leadership role.
  • Proven experience in high-growth, entrepreneurial environments; experience in construction, energy, or manufacturing sectors strongly preferred.
  • Expertise across key HR disciplines: organizational development, HR operations, talent acquisition, L&D, compensation, and compliance.
  • Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (MBA, Master’s in HR) or certification (SPHR, SHRM-SCP) preferred.
  • Multi-state HR experience and familiarity with the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) are desirable.
  • Demonstrated success in building high-performing, values-aligned teams and influencing at all levels of the organization.

Personal Attributes:

  • High emotional intelligence with outstanding communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
  • Strategic thinker with operational savvy and a strong bias for execution.
  • Inspirational, approachable leader with the ability to influence and foster trust across a diverse workforce.
  • Deeply committed to people development, organizational integrity, and continuous improvement.

Staff Accountant- HYBRID

  • Location: St Cloud, Minnesota
  • Remote: Remote
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #49498

One of our favorite clients is hiring for a staff accountant out of their St. Cloud, MN office! This is a fast-growing, PE-backed, manufacturing company with a fantastic industry reputation. As a firm, we have worked with them for years- and we cannot speak highly enough of the team, mission, and culture.

They are looking for someone with at two to three years of accounting experience, a passion for process improvement, and a proactive mindset. This is a great opportunity to join a collaborative, growth-focused environment where your ideas will be valued, and where there’s real opportunity to grow your career.

 

Human Resources Manager

  • Location: Fosston
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #49468

SkyWater Search Partners is partnering with a privately held food manufacturing company located in Fosston, MN to find their next HR Manager. This is a unique opportunity for a well-rounded HR professional to step into a stand-alone, broad-based generalist position. This HR Manager will serve as the go-to people leader, driving consistency, compliance, and culture across the business. This is an on-site position requiring 4 days/week in office and the ideal candidate is someone who can operate independently and serve as a compassionate, approachable partner to the entire team.

Human Resources Manager

  • Location: Burnsville, Minnesota
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #49465

SkyWater Search is excited to partner with a growing, well-established construction and industrial services company as we seek a skilled, relationship-driven HR Manager to support operations across two regions. This is a visible and hands-on leadership opportunity for an experienced HR generalist who thrives in a fast-paced, field-oriented environment.

The ideal candidate is a strategic partner who can build trust across all levels of the organization, drive people initiatives that align with business goals, and bring practical solutions to day-to-day challenges in employee relations, compliance, and leadership development.

  • Location: On-site in the South Metro Twin Cities

  • Travel: Monthly travel to support regional teams and projects

Attorney

  • Location: Maple Grove, Minnesota
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #49450

A boutique Twin Cities firm is looking to expand to the Brainerd Lakes area. If you are an attorney in Brainerd looking to make a move, or if you are looking to relocate to Brainerd, please apply here or send your resume to griebel@skywatersearch.com. This opening is specifically targeting attorneys with experience in estate planning/administration, small business, or real estate (both litigation and transactional). 

Chief Executive Officer (distribution/operations/manufacturing)

  • Location: Chicago, Illinois
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #49405

SkyWater has been retained by one of the largest independent distributors in the Midwest to identify their next Chief Executive Officer. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will be responsible for executing the Company’s vision and strategy, as approved by the Board, by leading the Company to long-term profitable, and sustainable growth with a strong culture to retain and attract the top industry people, partners/suppliers, and customers.

The CEO will be the key driver in the strategic development and execution of operations of the company and its subsidiaries. The CEO’s primary responsibilities will be to refine the mission and vision, set the tactical objectives aligned with the strategy as approved by the Board, communicate clearly, and achieve annual goals that are aligned with long-term objectives.  In addition, and no less important, the CEO will exhibit, support and nurture our client’s involvement in the community and industry associations. The job description includes but is not limited to:

Develop and Execute Organizational Strategy
– Provide leadership in setting vision, mission, strategic plan, and annual operating plan for all areas of the company in conjunction with the Board
– The CEO will be responsible for developing the company’s future leaders and developing a strong succession plan.
– Maintain a positive and ethical work climate, that follows a clear plan that works well together in all parts of the business that is conducive to attracting, retaining, and motivating a diverse group of top-quality employees at all levels.
– Manage the day-to-day business affairs and objectives of the company that lead the development of the organization’s strategic long and short-term growth, and profitability goals.
– Growth in existing markets as well as newly identified markets that can be serviced daily from the current CDCs/future CDCs, and through acquisitions.
– Ensure continuous improvement in the quality and value of the organization’s supplier relationships, products, and services.

Building the Team
– 
Ensure that the company has an effective senior and middle management team below the level of the CEO and has an active plan for its development and succession.
– Ensure, in cooperation with the Board, that over time there is an effective succession plan in place for the CEO position.
– Formulate and oversee the implementation of major corporate policies.

Values and Culture
– Provide principled leadership to uphold and advance the company’s culture, mission, vision, and values and how it interacts with customers, suppliers/partners, and the public.
– Value and foster the importance of the team environment where managers, and non-managers are valued participants treated with respect, and appreciate a strong partnership with ownership. 
– Foster a corporate culture that promotes ethical practices, encourages individual integrity & fulfill social responsibility.

Capital Allocation Decisions
– Develop and recommend to the Board a long-term strategy and vision for the company that leads to the enhancement of shareholder value.
– Develop and recommend to the Board the annual business plans and budgets that support the company’s long-term strategy and objectives with strategic long-term investments.  
– Consistently strive to achieve and balance the company’s financial and operating goals that promotes both short-term and long-term profitability and growth.

Chief Financial Officer

  • Location: Chicago, Illinois
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #49401

SkyWater has been retained by an investment firm in Chicago to identify their next Chief Financial Officer:

A great repeat client of ours, this company is a 75-year old mission-driven organization that is known for their phenomenal corporate culture, strong senior leadership team, and challenging work. One of the largest faith-based pension funds in the world, the firm employs about 300 people, managing around $25B in assets for their 100,000 members, including their retirement, investment & benefit plans. Only open due to the current CFO’s upcoming retirement, the Chief Financial Officer sits on the executive leadership team, reporting to the CEO, and oversees the firm’s financial strategy, planning, and operations, ensuring alignment with their mission and long-term growth objectives. 

*** We offer a very strong overall package; including a competitive base salary, bonus incentives, and robust benefits. ***

*** We are currently only considering candidates in the Chicago area, or willing to relocate to the Chicago area. It is expected that the CFO is on-site at their HQ in Glenview ~50% of the time. ***

Accounting Manager

  • Location: Chicago, Illinois
  • Remote: Remote
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #49241

We’re working with a dynamic, fast-growing, multi-billion-dollar public company to find an experienced Accounting Manager ready to take the next step in their career. This is a high-impact opportunity with a successful and acquisitive organization that values its people and rewards performance. If you’re looking to grow with a financially strong, expanding company—where you’ll be surrounded by smart, collaborative professionals who support each other—we’d love to hear from you!

 

Senior Tax Associate

  • Location: Chicago, Illinois
  • Remote: Remote
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #49187

Growing hedge fund is adding to their tax team due to growth! Highly sophisticated business that is looking to add to their tax team — this will have extensive C-suite interfacing, be involved in overall strategy and performance improvement firm-wide and benefit from cross-functional exposure across the organization.

Hybrid work environment, unlimited PTO, and above market compensation are just a few of the highlights. 

Ideal candidates have 3-7 years of public accounting tax experience serving asset management/financial services clients or are currently working at a PE firm/Hedge fund. CPA strongly preferred.

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