Plant Manager

Wakefield Thermal, Inc.; Wisconsin; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Wakefield Thermal, Inc. is seeking a Plant Manager in Withee, Wisconsin to lead daily operations and enforce safety and quality standards. The role requires 15+ years of management experience in extrusion processes, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate will ensure production efficiency while fostering team development and optimizing operational costs. A degree in business or operations management is preferred. Join us to help shape the future of thermal management solutions.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive management/leadership experience in an extrusion environment.
• Strong understanding of extrusion processes, tooling, and materials.
• Proficient use of MS Office; exceptional Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Champion a safety culture and ensure compliance with regulations.
• Manage daily plant operations and ensure production schedules.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar initiatives.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Extrusion processes

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Team leadership

Customer focus

Education

BA/BS in business or operations management

Tools

Dynamics AX

MS Office

Job description

Job Category: Production & Skilled Trades

Requisition Number: PLANT013103

• Full-Time
• On-site

Locations

31 WI Withee, Withee, WI 54498, USA

Description

Wakefield Thermal is part of the Heico Companies, and in aggregate, Heico’s businesses generate more than $3.2 billion in revenues. Wakefield Thermal is a global leader in innovative thermal management solutions for a diverse range of markets. Building on over four decades of leadership and experience, Wakefield Thermal designs, manufactures, and sells thermal management products that remove excess heat generated by electronic components.

Our Mission: Our businesses have made an all‑encompassing commitment across all levels of the organization to never sacrifice safety. Deliver industry‑leading quality, and on‑time delivery while providing an exceptional customer experience. Position ourselves as a leader in the industry through technological advancements and supply chain excellence. Promote a culture of success and excellence through accountability, collaboration, engagement, and shared belief in our vision.

Note: This job description provides an outline of the essential functions and qualifications necessary for this position. It is not all inclusive and duties may change, be added or deleted according to business needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with OSHA and environmental regulations.
• Lead incident investigations and implement preventative measures.
• Maintain compliance with all regulatory, company, and industry standards.
• Champion HEICO EH&S initiatives and training programs.
• Direct and manage daily plant operations, including extrusion, fabrication, secondary processes, maintenance, quality, and logistics.
• Ensure production schedules are met while optimizing throughput, yield, and efficiency.
• Monitor essential KPIs (OTD, scrap, equipment downtime, labor efficiency) and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure products meet customer specifications and quality standards.
• Collaborate with Quality team on root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions.
• Drive continuous improvement in scrap reduction and process capability.
• Develop and manage plant budget, including labor, materials, and overhead costs.
• Identify cost‑saving opportunities and improve operational efficiency.
• Support capital planning, including equipment upgrades and expansion projects.
• Be an active participant in the annual strategic planning process and drive the business towards those goals and objectives.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of leaders and individual contributors.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee hiring, training, performance management, and succession planning.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar initiatives.
• Optimize extrusion processes (temperature control, die design, material flow, etc.).
• Implement best practices to improve productivity and reduce waste.
• Partner with Sales and plant leadership team to ensure customer satisfaction.
• Participate in customer visits, audits, and technical discussions.
• Ensure on‑time delivery and responsiveness to customer needs.
• Work with other business unit leaders within TSS on cross‑functional projects/initiatives.

Experience

• BA/BS in business or operations management preferred, advanced degree highly desirable.
• 15+ years progressive management/leadership experience in an extrusion environment.
• Strong understanding of extrusion processes, tooling, and materials.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement tools.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and production planning (Dynamics AX) a plus.
• Proficient use of MS Office; exceptional Excel skills.

Competencies Required

• Building Effective Teams
• Customer Focus
• Drive for Results
• Managing with vision and purpose
• Strategic Agility

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.