Plant Manager (Relocation Assistance)

We are a growing precision manufacturing organization with a modern, highly technical production facility and a strong reputation for quality, innovation, and customer partnerships.

Our operations combine sophisticated CNC machining, advanced automation, and highly customized manufacturing with an increasing volume of repeatable production. As our business continues to grow, we're investing in the people, processes, and technology needed to support our next phase of expansion.

We're seeking a hands-on, forward-thinking Plant Manager who enjoys building strong teams, optimizing manufacturing operations, and creating scalable processes within a dynamic production environment.

The salary above does not include bonus.

Make a Meaningful Impact: Take ownership of a growing manufacturing operation with the opportunity to shape its future.

Modern Manufacturing Environment: Work with advanced CNC equipment, automated machining cells, robotics, and precision manufacturing technologies.

Growth & Transformation: Lead the evolution from a traditional prototype/job-shop environment toward more efficient, repeatable production.

Leadership Opportunity: Oversee approximately 70 employees and develop a strong operational leadership team.

Autonomy & Visibility: Work closely with executive leadership to influence operational strategy, equipment investments, and long-term growth.

Continuous Improvement Culture: Drive meaningful improvements in productivity, automation, quality, and operational performance.

Relocation Opportunity: Candidates interested in relocating to Michigan's Upper Peninsula are encouraged to apply.

We are seeking an experienced Plant Manager to lead operations within a modern, approximately 30,000-square-foot precision manufacturing facility.

This position is ideal for a manufacturing leader who understands the complexities of high-mix, low-volume production and has experience balancing customized manufacturing with recurring production requirements.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical CNC manufacturing knowledge with operational leadership, forward-looking capacity planning, automation expertise, and a collaborative approach to developing teams.

Key Responsibilities

● Lead day-to-day plant operations, overseeing approximately 70 employees and seven direct reports.

● Direct manufacturing operations involving CNC machining, vertical mills, Swiss turning, automated machining cells, and advanced production equipment.

● Develop production strategies that balance prototype, high-mix/low-volume, and recurring manufacturing requirements.

● Optimize equipment utilization, labor productivity, throughput, and overall manufacturing cost.

● Evaluate opportunities to expand automation, robotics, pallet-changing systems, and unattended machining.

● Improve production scheduling, capacity planning, resource allocation, and bottleneck management.

● Lead purchasing, maintenance, warehousing, production scheduling, manufacturing execution, and inspection operations.

● Establish and monitor meaningful KPIs around productivity, OEE, quality, delivery, cost, capacity, and downtime.

● Implement Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives.

● Partner with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and executive leadership on manufacturing strategy and capital investments.

● Develop frontline leaders, strengthen accountability, and foster a collaborative, high-performance culture.

● Support continued business growth while maintaining strong quality and operational standards.

What We're Looking For

● Proven leadership experience as a Plant Manager, Operations Manager, Director of Manufacturing, or similar manufacturing leadership role.

● Strong technical understanding of CNC machining, milling, precision manufacturing, and/or Swiss turning.

● Experience working within high-mix/low-volume, contract manufacturing, or job-shop environments.

● Demonstrated success improving throughput, productivity, machine utilization, capacity, and manufacturing costs.

● Experience implementing or optimizing manufacturing automation and advanced production technologies.

● Strong understanding of production scheduling, capacity planning, and resource management.

● Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or similar continuous improvement methodologies.

● Ability to read and understand manufacturing prints and work effectively with technical production teams.

● Strong analytical skills and experience establishing meaningful operational KPIs.

● Collaborative, hands-on leadership style with the ability to build trust, develop employees, and lead organizational change.

● Ability to adapt quickly to changing customer requirements and production priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

● Experience in precision contract manufacturing serving highly technical or regulated industries.

● Familiarity with ISO quality management systems.

● Experience with CNC automation, robotic machining, pallet systems, or advanced manufacturing cells.

● Experience helping a manufacturing operation transition from prototype/job-shop production into more scalable, repeatable manufacturing.

● Lean Six Sigma certification or related operational excellence credentials.

● Experience leading manufacturing operations through significant growth, expansion, or operational transformation.

What Success Looks Like

● In your first year, you'll have the opportunity to:

● Increase productive output and equipment utilization.

● Strengthen production scheduling and forward-looking capacity planning.

● Expand the effective use of existing automation.

● Improve visibility into plant performance through actionable KPIs.

● Develop a stronger, more scalable manufacturing operating model.

● Build a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

If you're a technically strong manufacturing leader who enjoys building teams, solving complex production challenges, and helping an organization reach its next level of growth, we'd love to connect!