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Plant Manager

Quanex
Owatonna, MN Full Time
POSTED ON 10/22/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 11/19/2026
Quanex is looking for a Plant Manager to join our team in Owatonna, MN.

As the leader of this manufacturing facility, you will foster a culture of safety, teamwork, accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement. You will balance strategic planning with daily operational excellence, leading the team to achieve customer, productivity, quality, and financial objectives. This role has full responsibility for site P&L performance and oversees all plant operations and maintenance.

We Offer You!

  • Competitive Salary
  • Bonus Potential
  • 401K with 5% company match, yours to keep after 2 years
  • 15% immediate return if you participate in the company’s ESPP
  • Medical, Dental & Vision Plans
  • Employer paid disability plans and life insurance
  • Paid Time Off & Holidays
  • Tuition support for degree and continuous education
  • Employee Resource Groups focused on employee empowerment
  • Monthly Leadership webinars

What’s attractive about this position?

  • Lead plant operations with the autonomy to drive safety, efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement initiatives
  • Be part of a company that invests in its people, values leadership development, and promotes a collaborative, team-first environment.
  • Travel opportunities to participate in Kaizen events across North America

What Success Looks Like

  • Drive plant strategy and performance by leading production, maintenance, quality, engineering, and logistics operations while aligning plant goals with Quanex's long-term vision.
  • Establish and communicate a vision for the plant that motivates employees and connects to corporate/divisional strategies.
  • Champion a culture of continuous improvement by implementing lean manufacturing principles, driving innovation, and leading initiatives that enhance efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction.
  • Lead and develop high-performing teams through coaching, talent development, succession planning, and a culture of accountability, engagement, and recognition.
  • Establish and communicate clear and measurable expectations of performance and provide frequent feedback to ensure the achievement of goals and personal development for employees.
  • Serve as a safety and operational leader by fostering a world-class safety culture and ensuring operational excellence across all aspects of the facility.
  • Shape the future of the operation through capital investment planning, technology implementation, and strategic initiatives that position the plant for sustainable growth.

What You Bring

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a business related field. Experience in lieu of education.
  • Ten or more years of progressive Manufacturing experience and a minimum of five years in a leadership role.
  • Experience in working within fast paced, complex, dynamic business environment.
  • Strategic thinker who proactively drives results and balances immediate priorities with long-term business objectives.
  • Proven leader who develops talent, delegates effectively, and creates a culture of engagement, accountability, and recognition.
  • Safety-focused change agent and effective communicator who leverages technology to enhance performance and elevate employee engagement.

The salary range for this position is $150,000 to$170,000 with the potential to earn an annual bonus.

About Quanex, A Part Of Something Bigger

Quanex (NYSE: NX) is a global, publicly traded manufacturing company primarily serving OEMs in the fenestration, cabinetry, solar, refrigeration and outdoor products markets. We are A Part of Something Bigger by improving the performance and aesthetics of end products through continuous innovation, helping customers achieve greater production efficiencies, dedication to giving back to communities where we operate, producing shareholder value and helping our employees learn, grow, and thrive. Learn more at Quanex.com.

Salary : $150,000 - $170,000

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