Plant Manager
A fast-growing, privately held manufacturer is seeking a hands-on and strategic Plant Manager to lead operations at its production facility. This individual will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of manufacturing, including production, quality, logistics, and team development, with a strong focus on efficiency, safety, and continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
- Lead day-to-day plant operations across production, scheduling, maintenance, quality, and shipping.
- Supervise and develop a team of supervisors and production staff, fostering a culture of ownership, accountability, and results.
- Monitor KPIs and drive performance to meet output, quality, and delivery targets.
- Partner with cross-functional teams including supply chain, engineering, and customer service to ensure alignment and operational readiness.
- Champion lean manufacturing and continuous improvement efforts to drive efficiency and reduce waste.
- Enforce safety standards and promote a proactive safety culture throughout the facility.
- Support capital projects, equipment maintenance, and long-term capacity planning.
- Participate in hiring, onboarding, and training initiatives to build a strong, reliable workforce.
- Develop and manage budgets related to labor, materials, and operational expenses.
Desired Skills and Experience
- 7+ years of manufacturing experience, including 3+ years in plant or operations leadership.
- Proven ability to lead teams in a low-volume, high-mix, or custom production environment.
- Strong leadership and communication skills with a focus on coaching and team development.
- Experience implementing lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles.
- Solid understanding of production planning, inventory control, and quality systems.
- Data-driven decision-making and comfort using ERP or manufacturing systems. Preferred:
- Background in durable goods or custom product manufacturing.
- Familiarity with plastics, composites, or extrusion-based production is a plus.
Submit Your Resume
ABOUT SKYWATER SEARCH
Start with your Short List
Led by a group of seasoned search industry professionals, SkyWater Search Partners brings new focus to a novel concept, “Short List Search.” Our purpose is to leave a lasting impression on the clients we serve by providing individuals who will make a measurable difference in their business. We strive to consistently deliver great results to our clients in a very timely manner.
Practice Areas
Our practice areas are led by highly experienced executive recruiters who take great care in fully understanding client requirements and candidate qualifications.
• Accounting and Finance
• Information Technology
• Operations
• Engineering
• Sales
• Marketing
• Human Resources
• Legal
• Construction
• Supply Chain
• Consumer Package Goods (CPG)
Founded on long-standing relationships and hundreds of successful placements throughout the Twin Cities business community, SkyWater Search Partners is a proven resource for clients and candidates looking to quickly and confidently explore their “short list” of best choices. Count on us to find the best people – and the best fit.