Assistant Plant Manager - Future Plant Manager Development Program

Ball Corporation; Fort Atkinson (WI); On-site; USD 115,000 - 164,300; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Annual incentive program

Onsite work environment

Job summary

Ball Corporation is seeking an Assistant Plant Manager–Future Plant Manager Development Program in Fort Atkinson, WI. This program develops leaders for future Plant Manager roles over 18–24 months, exposing you to all plant leadership facets and a clear career pathway within Ball's manufacturing network.

The role emphasizes safety, quality, productivity, cost control, and workforce development, with relocation and on-site work as part of the program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent manufacturing leadership experience will be considered.
• 5+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading supervisors, managers, or functional leaders.
• Demonstrated ownership of safety, quality, productivity, cost, delivery, and workforce performance.
• Experience leading large manufacturing teams through multiple layers of leadership.
• Proven track record of developing talent and creating succession pipelines.
• Strong business acumen with exposure to budgets, labor planning, workforce development, and operational performance metrics.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and support teams through accountability and continuous improvement.
• Drive plant performance across safety, quality, productivity, cost, customer service, and employee development metrics.
• Coach managers, supervisors, and future leaders to build leadership capability.
• Support plant strategy, workforce planning, succession planning, and organizational development initiatives.
• Partner in financial planning, budgeting, capital planning, and operational decision-making.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives that improve operational performance and engagement.
• Prepare for future Plant Manager opportunities by deepening understanding of plant leadership.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Strategic thinking

Budget awareness

Operations excellence

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent manufacturing leadership experience

Job description

At Ball, integrity and trust are the foundation of who we are. Guided by our core values—"We Care. We Work. We Win."—we create a culture where every voice matters, and every idea drives progress.

Together with our global employees, customers, and partners, we’re turning bold sustainability goals into reality and shaping a future we can all be proud of.

Assistant Plant Manager – Future Plant Manager Development Program

This Assistant Plant Manager role is part of Ball's Future Plant Manager Development Program. It is designed as a strategic leadership development position for high-performing operations leaders who aspire to become Plant Managers within 18-24 months. Candidates will gain direct exposure to all aspects of plant leadership and build a career pathway within Ball's manufacturing network.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and support teams through a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Drive plant performance across safety, quality, productivity, cost, customer service, and employee development metrics.
• Build leadership capability by coaching managers, supervisors, and future leaders throughout the organization.
• Support plant strategy, workforce planning, succession planning, and organizational development initiatives.
• Partner in financial planning, budgeting, capital planning, and operational decision-making.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives that improve operational performance, efficiency, and employee engagement.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of plant leadership in preparation for future Plant Manager opportunities.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Operations Manager
• Production Manager
• Manufacturing Manager
• Plant Superintendent
• Operations Superintendent
• Department Manager with multi-functional leadership responsibility

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent manufacturing leadership experience will be considered.
• 5+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading supervisors, managers, or functional leaders.
• Demonstrated ownership of safety, quality, productivity, cost, delivery, and workforce performance.
• Experience leading large manufacturing teams through multiple layers of leadership.
• Proven track record of developing talent, building leadership capability, and creating succession pipelines.
• Strong business acumen with exposure to budgets, labor planning, workforce development, and operational performance metrics.

Preferred Qualifications

• High-speed manufacturing, packaging, metals, consumer products, food & beverage, chemical, glass, plastics, paper, or other process manufacturing experience.
• Experience supporting plant budgeting, capital planning, labor planning, and workforce development initiatives.
• Lean Manufacturing, TPM, Operational Excellence, Continuous Improvement, or similar manufacturing system experience.
• Union and/or non-union manufacturing leadership experience.

Mobility & Career Advancement

This position is part of Ball's long-term Plant Manager succession strategy. Candidates must be willing and able to relocate for future Plant Manager opportunities across Ball's manufacturing network. Geographic mobility is a required component of career progression within this program.

Why Ball?

Ball is a global leader in sustainable aluminum packaging and one of the world’s most respected manufacturing organizations. Leaders have the opportunity to influence large-scale operations, develop high-performing teams, and build meaningful careers in an organization committed to operational excellence, innovation, sustainability, and people development.

Compensation & Benefits

• Expected Hiring Salary Range:$115,000 - $164,300 (Salary to be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.)
• This role will be eligible to participate in the annual incentive compensation plan.
• Please visit our "Total Rewards" page to learn more about Ball’s comprehensive benefits structure.
• Onsite Work Environment:This position is based in onsite in the Plant and requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site. Travel and local commute between Ball locations and other possible non-Ball locations may be required.
• Relocation Assistance is available.

Ball Corporation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We actively encourage applications from everybody. All qualified job applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, aboriginality, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, veteran status, age, political affiliation, or any other non-merit characteristic.

• Under Colorado, California, Connecticut, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania law, you have the right to exclude or redact age-related details—such as your date of birth, school attendance dates, or graduation dates from your resume, cover letter, CV, or other supporting documents (e.g., transcripts, certificates).
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visa, now or in the future, for this job opening.
• This position will be posted internally for a minimum of 3 days and will remain open until filled or adjusted based on the volume of applicants.