Plant Manager

Southern Wisconsin / Northern Illinois | Full-Time | On-Site

The Opportunity
Our client, an established manufacturer of engineered power systems, is seeking a Plant Manager to help launch and scale manufacturing operations for a new division serving the rapidly growing data center power market. This leader will oversee current production while playing a central role in planning, transitioning to, and ramping up a larger manufacturing facility in the Southern Wisconsin / Northern Illinois region.

The role calls for a hands-on operational leader who can build a high-performing organization, deliver day-to-day results, and successfully execute a major manufacturing expansion.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead plant operations with accountability for safety, people, quality, delivery, cost, and environmental performance.
• Partner with leadership and cross-functional teams on new-facility planning, including layout, workflow, equipment, capacity, staffing, and operational readiness.
• Lead the manufacturing transition from the existing operation to a new site, minimizing disruption to customer commitments and production performance.
• Direct plant startup and production ramp-up activities, establishing scalable processes, performance metrics, and a strong operating cadence.
• Build, coach, and develop production leaders and teams; establish clear expectations and a culture of ownership and accountability.
• Implement Lean Manufacturing, standardized work, continuous improvement, and data-driven shop-floor management.
• Improve throughput, labor productivity, equipment effectiveness (OEE), quality, and on-time delivery while managing operating costs.
• Maintain a safety-first environment and compliance with applicable OSHA, environmental, and ISO 9001 requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field preferred.
• 5–10+ years of relevant manufacturing experience, including at least 3 years leading production teams or plant operations.
• Significant hands-on experience with a new plant startup, major facility expansion, or manufacturing relocation/transition; greenfield or brownfield planning experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to ramp production capacity, establish manufacturing processes, and lead teams through operational change.
• Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen/Six Sigma, production planning, cost control, and ERP/MRP systems.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional leadership skills; comfortable working on the plant floor.
• Experience in power generation, industrial equipment, complex assembly, engines, or related manufacturing environments preferred.

Why This Role
An opportunity to shape a new manufacturing operation from the ground up, lead a consequential facility transition, and build the people and systems needed to support long-term growth in mission-critical power infrastructure.

Confidential search. Our client is an equal opportunity employer.