Plant Manager - Franklin, WI

We are seeking a hands-on and strategic Plant manager to lead the start-up and long-term operations of our new manufacturing facility producing infrastructure products for data centers. This is a unique opportunity to help stand up a new plant from the ground up, setting the tone for operational excellence, building a high-performing team, and creating a culture centered on safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
The Plant Manager will be responsible for all aspects of plant operations, including production, maintenance, quality, and safety. This role will work closely with the executive team and cross-functional leaders to ensure successful ramp-up and ongoing scalability of the operation.

Travel requirements for this role will start at 50% (traveling to Calgary, Canada twice per month) and decrease to 10% as our Franklin, WI plant ramps up to production by end of calendar 2025. After the Franklin plant is occupied, intermittent travel will be required to meet with customers, suppliers, other facilities, and Regional and Corporate meetings.

Start-Up Execution and Leadership:

• Lead the start-up of a new manufacturing facility, including equipment installation, staffing, operational readiness, and initial production launch.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive plant start-up plan aligned with business objectives and production targets.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, HR, and supply chain teams to ensure seamless facility launch.

Operational Management:

• Oversee daily plant operations across production, maintenance, quality, and EHS to ensure safety, efficiency, and product excellence.
• Drive performance to meet or exceed key operational metrics (safety, delivery, quality, cost, and productivity).
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement using lean manufacturing principles and structured problem-solving.

Team Building & Talent Development:

• Recruit, hire, and develop the plant leadership team and hourly workforce in partnership with HR.
• Set clear expectations, drive accountability, and create a culture of empowerment and ownership throughout the facility.
• Partner with local schools, technical programs, and workforce agencies to support long-term talent pipeline development.

Compliance & Standards:

• Ensure full compliance with company standards, environmental regulations, and all applicable laws.
• Promote and enforce a safety-first culture through strong leadership, training, and behavior-based safety practices.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or related field.
• 7+ years of manufacturing experience, with at least 3 years in a plant or operations leadership role.
• Prior experience with plant start-up or facility expansion strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver results in a fast-paced, high-growth manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience in lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and KPI management.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage change, build culture, and influence across all levels of an organization.