Plant Manager – Precision CNC Machining & Metal Fabrication

Industry: High-Precision Manufacturing / Advanced Industrial Components

Employment Type: Full-Time / On-Site

Reports To: Vice President of Operations

Our client is a high-growth, globally integrated manufacturing leader delivering mission-critical components and complex assemblies to world-class industrial OEMs. With an extensive North American network of production facilities and strong global backing, the organization combines deep engineering capability with advanced manufacturing in multi-axis CNC machining, structural assembly, metal fabrication, and advanced materials.

Committed to safety, operational excellence, Lean principles, and sustainable growth, the company is entering an exciting phase of strategic expansion and plant optimization.

The Plant Manager will provide overall strategic and operational leadership for the facility in the Greater St. Louis area (Chesterfield, Mo.). This role is fully accountable for delivering predictable site performance across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People (SQDCP).

We are seeking a visible, hands-on manufacturing executive who operates seamlessly between strategic planning and shop-floor execution. The Plant Manager will lead the site leadership team, strengthen operational discipline, lead operational turnaround, optimize production flow, and foster a high-accountability culture within a complex high-mix / low-volume CNC machining and metal fabrication environment
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• Site Strategy & Financial Performance: Develop and execute annual operating plans, OPEX/CAPEX budgets, capacity forecasts, and cost structures to drive site profitability and long-term growth.
• Machining & Metal Fabrication Operations: Lead plant performance across CNC multi-axis milling, turning, sheet metal fabrication, welding, and sub-assembly. Maximize machine utilization, fixture efficiency, and throughput while eliminating constraints.
• Operational Excellence & Lean: Champion Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, standard work, visual management, and continuous improvement to minimize cycle times, scrap, rework, and operational variability.
• New Product Introduction (NPI) & Work Transfers: Oversee operational readiness for new component introductions, process industrialization, work transfers, and production ramp-ups.
• Quality & Customer Commitments: Ensure strict compliance with rigorous customer specifications and quality standards. Drive root-cause problem solving and corrective action implementation.
• Leadership & Shop-Floor Culture: Coach and develop site department heads, supervisors, and technical leaders. Maintain a strong, visible presence on the shop floor to build trust, reinforce urgency, and drive operational performance.

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Industrial Management, Business, or a related field required (Master's/MBA preferred).
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in complex manufacturing environments, with at least 5 years in direct site or plant management accountability (i.e. Plant Manager, Site Manager, Director of Operations, Manufacturing Leader, Sr. Operations Manager, etc.).
• Hands-On Technical Expertise (Required): Solid knowledge and practical leadership background in CNC machining (milling/turning). Prefer experience with some Metal fabrication processes (like forming, laser/cut, welding, tooling, and fixtures).
• Manufacturing Profile: Demonstrated success in High-Mix / Low-Volume industrial manufacturing environments.
• Financial Acumen: Proven experience managing plant P&L drivers, operational budgets, unit cost reduction, and capital investment projects.
• Lean / Continuous Improvement: Demonstrated success applying Lean, Six Sigma, and structured problem-solving methodologies to improve safety, OTD, scrap rates, and efficiency.
• Shop-Floor Leader: Visible, accessible leader who earns immediate credibility with machinists, technicians, and engineering teams.
• Operational Discipline: Uses data, standard work, and KPIs to generate consistent, predictable manufacturing results.
• People Developer: Directly coaches leadership talent, establishes succession plans, and decisively addresses performance gaps.

This role offers an exceptional opportunity to direct and transform a strategically vital manufacturing facility within a respected international industrial platform. The successful candidate will enjoy high executive visibility, strong corporate backing, and…