Operations Manager

Guided Search Partners; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Guided Search Partners in Minnesota is seeking an Operations Manager for a manufacturing facility. This hands-on leadership role emphasizes employee communication and engagement, critical for the facility's culture and performance.

The ideal candidate will lead daily operations, support a union environment, and foster a culture where team members feel valued. The role offers an opportunity to maintain positive momentum and contribute to steady operational improvement.

Qualifications

• Experience in a union environment is a plus.
• Operations or plant leadership experience preferred.
• Ability to continue improving culture and employee engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations with a strong focus on the floor.
• Support a union manufacturing environment.
• Help maintain a culture where employees feel heard.

Skills

Manufacturing leadership experience

Strong floor presence

Strong communication and listening skills

Ability to support maintenance and daily operations

Comfortable wearing multiple hats

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 manufacturing facility in Minnesota seeking an Operations Manager. This is a hands‑on leadership role in a smaller union facility where communication, floor presence, and employee trust matter. The facility has made strong cultural progress over the last several years by improving communication, holding town halls, and focusing on employee engagement. This is a strong fit for a leader who listens well, communicates clearly, and understands that strong performance starts with taking care of the team.

What You’ll Do

You’ll lead daily operations with a strong focus on the floor, employee communication, maintenance, and continued performance improvement.

Key areas of focus include:

• Lead plant and operations activity in a hands‑on role
• Stay engaged on the floor with employees and department leaders
• Support a union manufacturing environment
• Continue building strong communication between employees and management
• Keep maintenance and repairs moving when needed
• Support steady improvement in net sheets per hour
• Help maintain a culture where employees feel heard
• Wear multiple hats in a smaller facility environment

Who You Are

You are a steady, approachable operations leader who knows how to build trust with hourly teams.

You understand that communication is not just a soft skill here, it is a major part of the culture and the reason the facility has improved. You listen well, stay visible, and know how to keep people aligned without overcomplicating the work.

You would do well here if you enjoy being on the floor, solving issues as they come up, and stepping into a facility that is already in a good position.

Preferred Experience & Attributes

• Manufacturing leadership experience
• Operations or plant leadership experience preferred
• Experience in a union environment is a plus
• Strong floor presence and hands‑on leadership style
• Strong communication and listening skills
• Ability to support maintenance, repairs, and daily operations
• Comfortable wearing multiple hats in a smaller facility
• Ability to continue improving culture and employee engagement
• Strategic enough to support future growth or added equipment

Why This Role Matters

This role matters because the facility has built positive momentum, and the next leader needs to continue that progress. The team has improved communication, culture, and performance over the last few years. This is not a heavy turnaround situation, it is an opportunity to step into a solid environment and keep building on what is already working. For a leader who values people, floor engagement, and steady operational improvement, this is a strong opportunity with room to grow.