Manufacturing executive search
Manufacturing executive search for leaders who run the floor.
Manufacturing recruiters who speak the language of OEE, safety, lean and margin, placing operations and plant leadership for manufacturers across the U.S.
Roles we recruit
Leadership roles we fill.
Plant Manager / Plant Director
Single and multi-site plant leadership accountable for safety, quality, delivery and cost.
VP / Director of Operations
Operations executives who scale capacity, standardize work and lead multi-plant networks.
Supply Chain & Procurement
Leaders for sourcing, planning, logistics and S&OP in volatile supply markets.
Quality & Continuous Improvement
Quality, lean and operational-excellence leaders who make improvement stick.
Engineering Leadership
Manufacturing, process and product engineering directors.
General Manager
Business-unit and site GMs with full P&L accountability.
Manufacturing
We assess the results they actually delivered.
Safety, OEE, scrap, on-time delivery and cost-down programs: we validate the operational record, not the title, and match leaders to your environment, union or non-union, greenfield or turnaround.
Why manufacturers work with us
Engineering, construction and manufacturing search has been a core practice since the 2024 merger with Signature Hire, and our client list includes manufacturers like DEWALT, CNH, Vertiv, Resideo, SPX Technologies, Atmus and JR Automation.
We know a plant leader is judged on safety, quality, delivery and cost, and that the best ones are rarely on the market. We map competitors and adjacent industries, approach candidates directly, and assess them on the operational results they've actually delivered.
What we assess
- Operational results: safety records, OEE, scrap, on-time delivery and cost-down programs they've led
- Leadership: how they've built teams, developed supervisors and led through change
- Systems: lean, Six Sigma, ERP and MES environments they've run
- Fit: union or non-union, greenfield or turnaround, single site or network
Trusted by
Industrial companies that have trusted our team
Our search process
A search that is aligned in week one and presenting finalists by week three.
The key to a successful search is a successful initiation. Every engagement follows the same four steps, with weekly reporting so you always know where it stands.
Initiate
Week 1
Learn the organization, the role and what success looks like.
- Organization & role deep-dive
- Stakeholder interviews
- Search strategy sign-off
Identify
Week 2
Source, network and interview the top prospects.
- Targeted sourcing & networking
- Weekly calibration reports
- Behavioral interviews
Qualify
Week 3
Present a qualified slate, assessed in depth.
- Qualified slate presented
- Competency-based interviews
- Skills validation
Select
Week 4+
Finalists, references and the offer, through to the start date.
- Finalist meetings
- Competency referencing
- Offer negotiation & counseling
FAQ
Questions we hear most
We present a qualified slate in week three and move to finalist meetings from week four. Relocation and notice periods usually decide the start date.
Yes. We also run executive searches in aerospace and defense, engineering and construction, healthcare, consumer and technology.
Yes. Greenfield leadership is a distinct profile, and we'll build the search around start-up experience, hiring at scale and launching new lines.
Start a conversation
Two ways we help. One partner for both.
Fill the leadership role that moves the business forward, or take care of the people leaving it. Tell us what you're facing and a partner will call you back within one business day.