Assistant Plant Manager

CFO Trane U.S. Inc.-CFO; La Crosse (WI); On-site; USD 138,000 - 186,000; Full time

Job summary

Trane Technologies in La Crosse, WI is seeking an Assistant Plant Manager who will lead the plant's operations to deliver safety, quality, and productivity goals. You will drive Lean initiatives, coordinate cross-functional activities, and guide succession planning while partnering with HR and the local leadership team.

The role reports to the Plant Manager and requires 10–15 years in manufacturing with strong Lean/OPEx experience and a track record of growing leaders in a unionized environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent technical discipline is required.
• MBA is preferred for this leadership role.
• Experience leading plant operations in a union environment is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate all plant functions to achieve safety, quality, growth, profitability, productivity and employee engagement.
• Lead and support EH&S, quality systems, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Direct annual operating plan and financial forecasts for the plant.
• Develop and nurture a diverse, inclusive work environment and strong morale.
• Collaborate with organizational levels to align goals and plans.
• Lead Lean manufacturing and Operational Excellence programs across the plant.
• Support maintenance, facilities and engineering improvements and capital expenditures.
• Ensure effective resource planning for material and labor productivity.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

OPEX culture

Strategic planning

Supply chain management

Leadership

People development

Problem solving

Customer oriented

Advanced management skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent technical discipline

MBA (preferred)

Job description

Be a part of our mission! As a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable, and efficient climate solutions for buildings, homes and transportation, it's our responsibility to put the planet first. For us at Trane® and Thermo King, sustainability is not just how we do business—it is our business. Do you dare to look at the world's challenges and see impactful possibilities? Do you want to contribute to making a better future? If the answer is yes, we invite you to consider joining us in boldly challenging what's possible for a sustainable world. Learn about our benefits designed for you to Thrive at work and at home. We boldly go.

Where is the work

On-Site (5 days)

The Role

The Assistant Plant Manager for our La Crosse, Wisconsin facility will support in leading our Trane Commercial HVAC facility, manufacturing World Class Centrifugal water-cooled chillers for a global market. Our La Crosse, Wisconsin facility is the birthplace of Trane and maintains a rich history in the community. With over $880M in revenue and 800+ employees, we are one of the top employers in the area. Reporting to the Plant Manager, the La Crosse Assistant Plant Manager will plan, organize, staff, and direct all of the operational activities of the facility to achieve plant and sector goals for safety, quality, growth, profitability, productivity, customer satisfaction and employee engagement. This key role will also lead production and plant operations to ensure the effective utilization of resources.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate all plant functions including Manufacturing, Materials, Production Control, Purchasing, Quality Assurance, Planning, Human Resources, Accounting, Manufacturing, Engineering and Environmental, Health & Safety to assure common direction toward plant goals
• Support the plant EH&S program in improvements, investigations, and corrective actions to meet and exceed Federal laws and TT standards and policies
• Support the plant quality system in procedures and controls to improve overall customer satisfaction, DPPM, first pass yield and warranty results
• Be proactive and responsive to all facets of customer satisfaction including delivery, schedule changes and special instructions
• Lead through the Trane Technologies (BOS) Business Operating System
• Support plant maintenance, facilities and Manufacturing Engineering improvements, process improvements, facility improvements and capital expenditures
• Support plant resources in meeting material and labor productivity plans
• Direct the submittal of the plant’s Annual Operating Plan and business’s financial forecasts and response plans
• Maintain a positive rapport with all levels of the organization to foster and promote a diverse and inclusive work environment, high levels of morale, and employee engagement
• Collaborate with all levels of the organization to ensure alignment of goals and progress towards them along with short term and long term needs and plans
• Partner with the Operational Excellence team to ensure the effective development and delivery of programs to teach the workforce lean manufacturing tools and concepts such as problem solving, A3 thinking, leader as coaches, Kanban/pull systems, Kaizen, Value Stream mapping, visual management, mistake proofing, 5S and cellular manufacturing
• Partner in the negotiation and application of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Works closely with local Human Resources and Labor Relations to ensure effective administration of grievances advanced beyond local management and local union level including arbitrations
• Lead and support the development of plant employees and plant succession planning activities

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent technical discipline is required, MBA preferred
• Minimum of 10 to 15 years of experience in manufacturing operations required and a minimum of 5 years in a manufacturing/plant operations leadership role, preferably as Plant Manager of a small to medium sized manufacturing plant
• Experience in a Union environment a plus
• Experience with Environmental Health and Safety
• Experience with implementing Lean culture in a manufacturing environment is required
• Leads and Drives the OPEX (Operational Excellence) culture in the plant
• Proficiency in developing and implementing strategic plans
• Proficiency in Supply Chain Management
• Strong technical problem-solving skills
• Customer oriented
• Advanced management skills

Annual Base Salary Range or Hourly Base Pay Range: $137,800.00 - $186,060.00

Compensation Type: Salary Incentive Eligible: Yes Sales Commission Eligible: No

Disclaimer: We strive to provide competitive compensation for this position, tailored to a variety of factors. The actual compensation will depend on elements such as seniority, merit, geographic location, education, experience, travel requirements, and union designation. Our compensation range is generally based on the national average for the country. Additionally, benefits may vary depending on the region, business alignment, union involvement, and employee status.

Safety Sensitive Role: Yes

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits and programs.

We are an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, pregnancy, age, marital status, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any legally protected status.

At Trane Technologies, we're climate innovators with the courage to look at our world's challenges and see endless opportunities. We aren't afraid to make bold commitments that set new standards to enhance the health and well-being of our employees, customers, communities, and the planet we share.

Learn more about what we do & how we do it.

Joining the Trane Technologies team is more than just a job – it's the beginning of a career full of purpose, impact, and meaningful contributions that challenge what's possible for a more sustainable future. Together, we know we can change the world.

With an inclusive culture, benefits to support you and your family, limitless opportunities to grow, flexibility to help you balance life's demands, and more – you'll be supported to thrive at work and at home. Learn more about building a career with us.