Plant Manager

We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Plant Manager to lead operations for a rapidly growing aerial platform and utility equipment manufacturer. This individual will oversee all aspects of day-to-day manufacturing operations, including production, scheduling, quality, safety, inventory, continuous improvement, and employee leadership.

Onsite - in Omaha Nebraska (open for relocation candidates)

Salary Range - $180,000 - $200,000/year Stock and bonuses

Direct Hire with Full Benefits Package

This is a highly visible leadership role within a lean manufacturing environment requiring both strategic operational thinking and strong floor-level execution. The ideal candidate will have experience managing fabrication and industrial manufacturing operations while driving efficiency, accountability, and operational excellence at all levels.

The Plant Manager will directly oversee approximately 170 employees initially, with responsibility for scaling operations to double production in the direct future.

OPERATIONS & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT

• Oversee daily manufacturing and fabrication operations for cranes and related material handling equipment
• Manage production scheduling, workflow coordination, and on-time delivery performance
• Monitor labor utilization, throughput, quality, and operational efficiency
• Coordinate fabrication, welding, assembly, machining, painting, and shipping activities
• Ensure proper maintenance and uptime of manufacturing equipment and tooling
• Assist ownership with production forecasting and capacity planning

LEAN MANUFACTURING & CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

• Lead lean manufacturing initiatives focused on waste reduction, process flow, and operational efficiency
• Implement and maintain continuous improvement methodologies including 5S, Kaizen, Root Cause Analysis, Standard Work, Visual Management, and KPI tracking
• Develop and improve SOPs, production processes, and workflow documentation
• Identify bottlenecks and implement corrective actions to improve throughput and profitability
• Foster a culture of accountability, organization, and continuous improvement

LEADERSHIP & TEAM DEVELOPMENT

• Directly supervise and mentor plant personnel
• Promote a positive, safety-focused, team-oriented culture
• Conduct training and cross-training initiatives
• Hold employees accountable to productivity, quality, and safety expectations
• Participate in hiring and workforce planning as company growth occurs

QUALITY & SAFETY

• Ensure all products meet internal quality standards and customer specifications
• Maintain compliance with OSHA and applicable safety regulations
• Lead workplace safety initiatives and maintain a clean, organized facility
• Assist with inspection, testing, and quality assurance processes

INVENTORY & SUPPLY CHAIN COORDINATION

• Manage raw material inventory levels and coordinate purchasing needs
• Work closely with vendors and suppliers to maintain material availability
• Monitor production costs and material usage to improve margins

QUALIFICATIONS

• 10 years of manufacturing leadership experience
• Strong organizational and notable communication skills
• Experience in fabrication, welding, structural steel, heavy equipment, crane manufacturing, or industrial equipment manufacturing
• Demonstrated lean manufacturing and continuous improvement experience
• Strong understanding of production scheduling and shop floor operations
• Ability to read mechanical drawings and manufacturing documentation
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Hands-on leadership style with willingness to work directly alongside production staff when necessary

PREFERRED LEADERSHIP & GROWTH EXPERIENCE

• Demonstrated experience leading through servant leadership principles, with a focus on employee development, accountability, communication, and team engagement
• Proven ability to build trust and foster a positive, high-performance culture within a manufacturing environment
• Experience managing operations during periods of rapid organizational growth and operational scaling
• Ability to successfully implement structure, processes, and KPI accountability in entrepreneurial or fast-growing manufacturing businesses
• Strong change management capabilities with the ability to lead teams through operational improvements and evolving business demands
• Track record of improving productivity, throughput, quality, and operational efficiency while improving employee morale and retention

If you're qualified and interested... Apply Today!