Plant Manager

MANITOU Group; Madison (SD); On-site; USD 150,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

MANITOU Group is seeking a Plant Manager to oversee all daily manufacturing operations at our Madison, South Dakota site. You will lead production, quality, engineering and logistics to exceed customer expectations while maintaining safety and cost controls.

Qualifications include 10+ years in manufacturing leadership, a strong Lean background, and a Bachelor’s Degree. This on-site role offers a base salary with travel opportunities and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10+ years of manufacturing leadership experience in a heavy-industrial environment.
• Strong background in Lean Manufacturing including process flow, 5S, inventory reduction, value stream mapping.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily manufacturing operations at the facility and coordinate plant activities.
• Drive improvements to plant efficiencies, asset utilization, and on-time delivery.
• Ensure safety and compliance with ISO 9001; manage quality, costs and delivery metrics.
• Lead production, quality, manufacturing engineering, logistics, and procurement reviews and actions.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Team management

Budgeting

Process improvement

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

Why work for Manitou Group?

Manitou is purposefully committed to you, its people. Based on a “One United Team” focus, we internationally cultivate our purpose-driven and agile work environment. As an equal opportunity employer, we cultivate, build and elevate our more than 6000 employees and their diversity across more than 30 countries we operate in. There are 6 main plants with locations in France, the USA, India, Italy and more than 30 subsidiaries all around the world.

Job ID 46189

Date 17 August 2026

Job Family:

• Production

Type of contract: Permanent

Why work for Manitou Group?

Manitou is purposefully committed to you, its people. Based on a “One United Team” focus, we internationally cultivate our purpose-driven and agile work environment. As an equal opportunity employer, we cultivate, build and elevate our more than 6000 employees and their diversity across more than 30 countries we operate in. There are 6 main plants with locations in France, the USA, India, Italy and more than 30 subsidiaries all around the world.

Are you looking for a new opportunity? Join us to be part of our continuous success.

General Accountability

The Plant Manager will oversee and be responsible for all daily manufacturing operations at the facility, including but not limited to, managing, directing and coordinating plant operations, and ensuring all policies, regulations, and procedures are followed, and promoting a safe work environment. This individual will ensure achievement of company objectives by delegating authority to key managers in production, quality, manufacturing engineering and logistics and procurement.

The Main Missions Are

• Ensuring employee and workplace safety;
• Planning, organizing, directing and running optimum day-to-day operations to exceed our customers’ expectations;
• Improving plant efficiencies (labor, material, asset utilization…)
• Increasing production, asset capacity and flexibility while minimizing unnecessary costs and maintaining current quality standards;
• Responsibility for production output, product quality and on-time delivery.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and implement policies and systems of continuous improvement in safety, quality, productivity, on-time delivery, engineering and cost control. Determine and implement appropriate operational corrective actions when necessary.
• Manage ISO 9001 compliance.
• Participate in monthly planning sessions (Sales Inventory & Operation Planning – S&OP).
• Coordinate the implementation of manufacturing schedules based on sales requirements and plant capacity. Monitor production and procurement activities to eliminate delays and ensure adherence to production and shipping schedules. Provide the methods and means to implement the monthly plan.
• Participate in organizational development to ensure appropriate and adequate utilization of labor, machinery and equipment and take appropriate actions to implement necessary changes.
• Manage the performance review (Quality, Costs, Delivery).
• Participate in strategic monthly meetings Customer Satisfaction Committee (CSC), New Product Development (NPD).

Methods and Means

• Based on Group and North America Region guidelines, propose an operating budget, capital and workforce. Monitor and ensure adherence.
• Ensure preventive maintenance operations to minimize equipment down time,
• Responsible for short-term (tools, facilities …) and medium term methods (change in rates of new products …)
• Responsible for equipment ergonomics for employees to ensure a safe workplace and prevent injuries
• Involved in decisions on major projects (New Product Development) and validation of the various project milestones.
• Responsible for authorization / release of production to customers.

Management and Communication

• Lead Managers of Production Shop Floor as well as other employees.
• Set SMART goals for the entire team.
• Ensure the recruitment of qualified employees.
• Ensure and promote effective corporate communications
• Develop employee training programs and oversee training implementation.
• Establish and maintain a constructive dialogue with management and staff.
• Ensure annual performance review
• Recommend and validate with HR wage adjustments.

Safety and Environment

• Ensure employee safety within the workplace and in the production and assembly activities.
• Actively participate and promote the Behavior Based Safety Program
• Act as the primary contact on matters relating to workplace environmental conditions.
• Oversee the development of the Health, Safety and Environmental plan and ensure its implementation.

Experience

• Minimum of 10+ years of progressively responsible experience managing manufacturing in a heavy-industrial environment.
• Strong background in Lean Manufacturing to include: Process flow, 5s, inventory reduction, Value stream mapping, etc.
• Operational knowledge of Production methods (5S, Kanban, ERP) and problem solving methods
• Previous experience with budgets and strategic planning.
• 10 years team management experience.

Expertise

• Possess strong organizational, planning, and time management skills,
• Effectively prioritize multiple tasks to maximize efficiency and productivity.
• Process and continuous improvement orientation (Problem Solving Process)
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and facilitation skills to lead and influence a team.
• Ability to manage a complex network in a matrixed organization

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree Required
• University or technical school degree in a Manufacturing-related degree.

Internal & External Connections

• Internal: Operations leadership, Plant Manager counterpart (Yankton), staff, R&D, Sourcing, Supply Chain, Finance,
• External: Suppliers, Customers, contractors.

What does MANITOU Group offer?

• Base Salary Range between $150,000 – $225,000 per year, plus a potential annual bonus based on performance metrics
• Actual pay determined by experience level, skills, qualifications & work location
• This position is located onsite in Madison, South Dakota
• Travel Requirements – There would be travel opportunities up to 10% of the year including visiting our plant in Yankton, SD, our North American corporate office in West Bend, WI, or our global corporate office in France
• In addition to an inclusive compensation package, we offer a comprehensive benefits program including Medical/Dental/Vision, a matching 401k, tuition reimbursement, volunteer program, wellness activities, employee and family activities throughout the year and so much more!
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States
• Manitou Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status or disability status

Location(s)

• United States - Madison