Plant Manager

Gradel Professional Search; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Gradel Pro Search is seeking a Plant Manager to lead all plant operations in a growing sheet metal and mechanical assembly environment. You will drive safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets while building strong teams and a culture of continuous improvement.

You will own KPI outcomes, manage budgets, guide CAPEX justifications, work with engineering, and ensure ISO compliance. This role demands strategic thinking, Lean expertise, ERP proficiency, and a track record of operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Operations, Engineering, Industrial Management, or related field; or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years supervising production and employees, preferably in the sheet metal industry.
• 5+ years manufacturing experience, preferably in sheet metal or mechanical assembly.
• Familiarity with ERP software for managing production and inventory.
• Working knowledge of Lean principles to optimize production processes; ability to identify and troubleshoot problems.
• Ability to manage manufacturing costs and ensure operational efficiency.
• Experience managing multiple complex projects; project management certification a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team across manufacturing departments (scheduling, fabrication, assembly, shipping/receiving).
• Own overall plant accountability for KPIs, including SQDC and plant productivity.
• Manage spending against budget and production volume changes.
• Lead tier meetings to align employee expectations and communications.
• Propose and justify CAPEX projects with clear ROI.
• Define continuous improvement projects with timelines to drive improvements.
• Collaborate with engineering to modify jobs and improve production quality.
• Ensure ISO Quality Management System compliance and associated procedures.
• Promote a culture of safety, identify hazards, and implement corrective actions.

Skills

Leadership

ERP software

Lean manufacturing

Problem solving

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Operations/Engineering/Industrial Management

Tools

ERP system

Job description

About the Opportunity

Our client is a growing manufacturer in the sheet metal / mechanical assembly space, seeking a Plant Manager to lead overall plant operations. This individual will ensure productivity, on-time shipping, quality, and cost targets are met, while building dynamic teams and driving operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team across manufacturing departments (scheduling, fabrication, assembly, shipping/receiving, etc.).
• Own overall plant accountability for KPIs, including Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC), output of critical components, and plant productivity.
• Manage spending against budget and in relation to changes in production volume.
• Lead tier meetings to ensure consistent messaging for employee expectations and communications.
• Propose and justify CAPEX projects, clearly presenting benefits and ROI.
• Define continuous improvement projects and establish/maintain timelines to drive improvements.
• Consult with engineering to modify jobs and improve production quality.
• Comply with ISO Quality Management System requirements, departmental procedures, and work instructions.
• Promote and enforce a culture of safety, including eliminating hazards, identifying root causes of incidents, and implementing corrective actions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Operations, Engineering, Industrial Management, or a related field, or equivalent experience in lieu of a degree.
• 5+ years of experience supervising production and employees, preferably in the sheet metal industry.
• 5+ years of manufacturing experience, preferably in sheet metal or mechanical assembly.
• Familiarity with ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software for managing production and inventory.
• Working knowledge of Lean principles and practices to optimize production processes.Ability to identify and analyze production issues, implement solutions, and troubleshoot complex problems; strategic thinker focused on operational efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Ability to manage manufacturing costs and ensure operational efficiency.
• Experience managing multiple complex projects simultaneously; project management certification a plus.

About Gradel Pro Search (GPS)

Gradel Pro Search (GPS) is an Industrial Search and Recruiting Services firm partnering with manufacturing, aerospace & defense, engineered products, chemicals, and industrial organizations to identify and align talent with critical business objectives.

Relationships. Guidance. Success.

We work with Fortune 500 companies, global enterprises, private equity-backed organizations, and growth-oriented manufacturers, navigating hiring across complex operational and technical environments.