Plant Manager

Dizario Search; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Dizario Search is seeking a hands-on Plant Manager to lead an $80M+ manufacturing operation in the Milwaukee area. This role combines manufacturing, engineering, maintenance, facilities, and production planning under strong people leadership.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership, experience with highly engineered products, and a proven track record in high-mix, low-volume environments with a focus on safety, quality, and delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• 5+ years in progressive manufacturing leadership roles.
• Experience with capital equipment or engineered-to-order products is a plus.
• Proven success leading high-mix, low-volume manufacturing operations.
• Strong continuous improvement experience and cross-functional leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead plant operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, productivity and financial goals.
• Develop and manage Operations, Production Planning, Maintenance, and Facilities teams.
• Oversee production and shipping schedules to ensure on-time delivery.
• Drive performance metrics across safety, quality, productivity, and cost.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives and capital projects.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Supply Chain, and Sales to meet business objectives.
• Ensure OSHA, ISO compliance and maintenance of facilities.
• Build and maintain a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Continuous Improvement

Analytical Thinking

Communication

Organizational Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or related field

Job description

Plant Manager | High-Mix / Low-Volume Manufacturing | Milwaukee Area

A growing industrial manufacturing company is seeking a Plant Manager to lead a $80M+ manufacturing operation producing highly engineered industrial equipment in a high-mix, low-volume environment.

This is a hands‑on leadership role responsible for manufacturing, engineering, maintenance, facilities, production planning, and overall plant performance. The ideal candidate will be a strong people leader with experience managing complex capital equipment or engineered‑to‑order manufacturing operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all plant manufacturing operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and financial objectives
• Manage and develop Operations, Production Planning, Manufacturing Engineering, Maintenance, and Facilities teams
• Oversee production and shipping schedules to ensure consistent on‑time delivery
• Drive performance across safety, quality, productivity, labor efficiency, cost, and delivery metrics
• Establish clear expectations, accountability, and performance measures for the organization
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to improve throughput, efficiency, quality, and overall plant performance
• Manage manufacturing engineering and capital improvement projects
• Oversee maintenance and facility activities to ensure reliable operations
• Partner cross‑functionally with Engineering, Supply Chain, Sales, and other functions to support business objectives
• Maintain compliance with OSHA, ISO, and other applicable requirements
• Develop and manage operating budgets and recommend capital investments
• Build a collaborative, accountable, and continuous‑improvement‑focused culture

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or related field preferred
• 5+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience
• Experience manufacturing capital equipment, industrial machinery, or other highly engineered products is a plus
• Experience leading high‑mix / low‑volume manufacturing operations strongly preferred
• Strong understanding of continuous improvement methodologies
• Demonstrated success leading and developing manufacturing teams
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to work effectively with employees at all levels of an organization

Why This Opportunity?

• Lead a $80M+ manufacturing plant
• High‑visibility leadership position with significant operational responsibility
• High‑mix, low‑volume environment producing complex industrial equipment
• Opportunity to directly influence safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and growth
• Strong platform for a hands‑on manufacturing leader to make a measurable impact