Assistant Plant Manager

Guided Search Partners; Town of Wausau (WI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading executive search firm is looking for an Assistant Plant Manager for a large manufacturing operation in Wisconsin. The ideal candidate is a results-driven leader with experience in Lean Sigma practices and operational excellence. This role requires driving productivity, improving labor efficiency, and ensuring safety and quality standards. A background in engineering or a related discipline is preferred. This opportunity offers significant visibility and growth potential in plant leadership.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of leadership experience managing complex challenges in operations.
• Experience with P&L ownership and accountability.
• Strong understanding of Lean manufacturing principles.

Responsibilities

• Drive productivity and waste reduction through continuous improvement.
• Improve labor efficiency and utilize staffing strategies effectively.
• Lead management team to meet operational efficiency goals.

Skills

Leadership

Data-driven decision making

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

BA/BS in Engineering or manufacturing-related discipline

Tools

KPIs/Dashboards

Lean Sigma practices

Job description

Guided Search Partners (GSP)

Guided Search Partners is an Executive Search firm built on Trust, Transparency, Specialization, and Long-term Relationships.

We connect high-performing professionals with organizations that value people, performance, and growth—helping leaders find roles where they can make an impact and build meaningful careers.

About the Opportunity

We’re partnering with a large, asset-intensive manufacturing operation where performance is measured in safety, quality, cost, and reliability—and where leadership development is treated as a core business lever. This Assistant Plant Manager role is designed for a leader who can drive results through people while building the operating system that keeps a plant running at a high level.

The environment is fast-moving, and metrics driven. Success comes from improving productivity and cash performance, strengthening engagement and culture, and raising operational excellence through disciplined daily management, Lean Sigma practices, and strong asset stewardship. This is a role for someone on a Plant Manager trajectory—ready to own the levers that matter and build the bench behind them.

What You’ll Do

• Drive productivity and waste reduction through continuous improvement initiatives and disciplined execution.
• Improve labor efficiency and utilization, including staffing strategy and overtime management.
• Build site-level business understanding (P&L, costs, opportunities) and track measurable results.
• Lead the management team to meet operational efficiency goals and standards for safety, quality, environmental compliance, and working conditions.
• Strengthen asset reliability through maintenance planning, preventative maintenance, and reliability programs.
• Implement high-performance practices, including Lean Sigma and daily management processes.
• Develop talent and succession plans through coaching, rotations, and growth assignments.
• Leverage Operational Excellence resources to standardize processes and allocate support to priority projects.

Who You Are

You’re a steady, outcomes-focused leader who brings structure to complexity. You know how to inspire and hold teams accountable without losing trust. You’re comfortable navigating ambiguity, using data to guide decisions, and keeping a positive, resilient presence when the work gets hard. You’re collaborative by default—and career-minded, with the potential and desire to grow into broader plant leadership.

Preferred Experience & Attributes

• BA/BS in Engineering or a manufacturing-related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing complex OFFICE and people challenges.
• Experience with P&L ownership and accountability for asset performance, cost control, and reliability.
• Lean manufacturing experience, including 5S and Six Sigma / Lean Sigma practices.
• Strong communication skills up, across, and down an organization.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Data-driven mindset with experience building and using KPIs/dashboards to drive action.

Why This Role Matters

This role directly shapes a plant’s ability to hit its performance targets—today and long-term. You’ll influence EBITDA, cash, reliability, culture, and leadership capability by building operating discipline and developing the next layer of talent. For leaders on a Plant Manager track, this is a proving ground with clear visibility and meaningful scope.

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: Site senior leadership (Plant leadership team)
• Leads: plant management team priorities through daily oversight and direction
• Partners with: Operational Excellence resources and cross-functional leaders (maintenance/reliability, CI, engineering, S&OP)