Site Leader / Plant Manager
Barry-Wehmiller · Sleepy Eye · $130,000–$160,000 (stated in the posting)
About Us:
Afinitas, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a global leader in equipment, forming systems, and essential accessory products that support transportation, water, and utility precast concrete infrastructure worldwide. We provide industry-leading production equipment; highly engineered formwork; and a broad portfolio of precast concrete, electrical, and construction accessories, along with structural products and systems designed for bridge, highway, and heavy construction applications. Afinitas is part of BW Forsyth Partners, LLC, the investment group of global manufacturing and engineering consulting firm Barry-Wehmiller, a $3 billion organization with nearly 12,000 team members, united by a common belief: to use the power of business to build a better world.Job Description:
Lead a Manufacturing Operation That Makes a Real Impact
Afinitas is seeking an experienced Site Leader / Plant Manager to lead our manufacturing facility and drive operational excellence across production, safety, quality, delivery, and employee engagement. This position is a key member of the leadership team and will have significant influence on the site's performance, culture, and long-term growth strategy.
This is an excellent opportunity for a hands on manufacturing leader who enjoys building high performing teams, improving processes, and partnering with executive leadership to achieve ambitious business goals. The successful candidate will bring strong operational leadership experience, a passion for continuous improvement, and a track record of developing people while delivering results.
What You'll Do
Lead the Operation
Provide overall leadership for the manufacturing facility and all site operations.
Establish clear performance expectations and drive accountability across production and support teams.
Develop, lead, and maintain a world-class safety culture.
Foster a culture centered on safety, quality, teamwork, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
Develop leaders throughout the organization through coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
Drive Business Results
Manage site performance through KPIs, operational metrics, and strategic objectives.
Develop and manage annual budgets and operating plans.
Partner with finance to manage costs, capital expenditures, inventory levels, and profitability.
Analyze operational performance, identify variances, and implement corrective actions.
Ensure customer expectations for quality, delivery, and responsiveness are consistently achieved.
Champion Continuous Improvement
Build and lead a culture of continuous improvement.
Guide the team through Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement initiatives.
Improve productivity, throughput, quality, and cost performance.
Identify operational risks and proactively implement solutions.
Partner Across the Business
Collaborate with engineering, sales, supply chain, and finance teams to meet business objectives.
Work closely with the VP of Continuous Improvement to drive enterprise-wide improvement initiatives.
Partner with leadership to develop and execute long-term operational strategies.
Ensure adequate staffing, training, and workforce development plans are in place.
Champion Safety and Compliance
Partner with the Global Safety Leader to develop and improve site safety programs.
Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, company policies, and industry standards.
What We're Looking For
Required Qualifications
5+ years of leadership experience managing a manufacturing operation, plant, business unit, or similar industrial environment.
Proven ability to lead teams, drive accountability, and deliver operational results.
Experience managing budgets, operational metrics, and cost performance.
Demonstrated success implementing Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
Strong communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to successfully lead change, influence stakeholders, and motivate teams.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in heavy manufacturing, fabricated metals, capital equipment, industrial machinery, steel fabrication, welding-intensive operations, or related industrial environments.
Understanding of operational finance, including fixed and variable costs, overhead absorption, and profitability management.
Experience with ERP systems such as Infor, SAP, Epicor, Oracle, or similar platforms.
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field.
Why Join Afinitas?
Lead a highly visible manufacturing operation with direct impact on business performance.
Partner closely with executive leadership to shape the future of the site.
Join an organization committed to operational excellence, employee development, and continuous improvement.
Opportunity to make meaningful improvements while developing your career within a growing global organization.
Compensation & Benefits
The anticipated base salary range for this position is $130,000-$160,000 plus annual performance bonus opportunity, with compensation determined by experience, qualifications, and overall fit. Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates. Please note that the pay range is a good-faith estimate at the time of posting and may vary based on factors such as experience, skills, and geographic location. Our complete benefits package includes: medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid time off; 401k plan with company match.
Work Environment
This position is based in a manufacturing environment and requires regular interaction with production operations, industrial equipment, and manufacturing personnel. Appropriate PPE will be required when working on the production floor.
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At Barry-Wehmiller we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. We know that our differences often can bring about innovation, excellence and meaningful work—therefore, people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the interview process.
Barry-Wehmiller is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V This organization uses E-Verify.Applicants may be subject to pre-employment screening which may include drug screening, reference checks, employment verifications, background screening and/or skills assessments.Company:
Afinitas