Full-Time | $85,000–$115,000 + 20–25% Bonus | Onsite | Immediate Opening
A growing industrial equipment manufacturer in Elk Grove Village, IL is seeking a hands-on Plant Manager to lead production operations within a small, high-precision manufacturing environment. This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic and operational leader who enjoys balancing time between the office and the shop floor, driving continuous improvement, and mentoring a close-knit team.
The Plant Manager will oversee production planning, materials and stock management, KPI development, and cross-functional coordination. This position focuses on optimizing efficiency, implementing process improvements, and preparing the organization for a future ERP transition. The role requires someone equally comfortable managing from the office and being hands-on in production.
You will report functionally to a global operations group and locally to executive leadership, managing two direct reports: a shop-floor-focused Operations/Production Lead and a Logistics & Purchasing Lead. The broader team includes approximately 15 production staff and 6–8 office personnel.
Lead production planning, scheduling, and materials management for a small-scale, made-to-order assembly environment
Develop, track, and analyze KPIs to improve efficiency and productivity
Mentor and manage a small team, fostering accountability and growth
Collaborate with Purchasing, Sales, Accounting, and HR to align operations
Drive process improvements and prepare for an ERP implementation (transition from QuickBooks to Microsoft Dynamics)
Balance strategic planning with hands-on presence on the shop floor
Work closely with global counterparts to align with organizational goals
Required:
5–20 years of production or operations management experience in small to mid-sized manufacturing environments
5+ years of leadership experience managing people and processes
Strong skills in KPI development, analysis, and process optimization
Experience in OEM-style manufacturing, machine building, or low-volume assembly
Proficiency in Excel and MS Office; experience with ERP systems (QuickBooks preferred; Microsoft Dynamics a plus)
Balanced leadership style — strategic, analytical, and hands-on
Must live within 30 minutes of Elk Grove Village, IL
Preferred:
Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in a related field
Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies
Exposure to global or European-owned business environments
Leadership role within a small, collaborative team
High visibility and autonomy to shape the future structure of the facility
Direct connection to international technical teams and senior leadership
Opportunity to lead meaningful change in a well-established manufacturing organization
Strong benefits and bonus structure
Hours: Monday–Friday, approximately 7:15 AM – 4:00/5:00 PM
No weekends or overtime required
Salary: $85,000–$115,000 base + 20–25% annual bonus potential
Start Date: ASAP
You should be proficient in:
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