Plant Manager – Reedsburg, WI

Last updated

Full/Part Time:   Full Time, On-Site 
Location: Reedsburg, WI 

The Role 

We are seeking a hands-on Plant Manager to lead day-to-day manufacturing operations at our Reedsburg, WI facility, with direct ownership of Production, Quality, and Facilities. This is a high-visibility leadership role for an operationally-minded professional who drives results on the shop floor, building a culture of accountability, quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

The Plant Manager will partner closely with Engineering, Planning, Purchasing, and Shipping & Warehouse, which are managed separately and are outside the scope of this role, as well as Engineering and the broader Operations organization, to ensure the build plan is executed on time, at target quality levels, and at competitive cost. This role reports to the Director of Operations.

Key Responsibilities

Production Operations

  • Own daily production execution across all Reedsburg manufacturing lines, ensuring on-time completion of the build plan at target output, efficiency, and cost.
  • Manage production staffing, shift scheduling, and cross-training to maintain workforce flexibility and coverage across product lines.
  • Monitor and drive key production metrics including output, labor efficiency, First Pass Yield (FPY), and scrap, and lead corrective actions when performance deviates from targets.
  • Partner with Planning on build schedules, capacity assessments, and expedite requests; escalate constraints early with recommended solutions.
  • Champion lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives (5S, standard work, visual management, kaizen) to reduce waste and improve flow.
  • Support new product introductions (NPI) and manufacturing transfers by ensuring production readiness, work instructions, tooling, and trained operators are in place.

Quality Management

  • Own product and process quality at the Reedsburg site, including incoming inspection, in-process controls, and final test/inspection.
  • Lead root-cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA) for internal quality issues, customer returns, and audit findings.
  • Maintain and continuously improve the site quality management system, work instructions, and inspection standards.
  • Publish and review FPY and quality performance reports; drive measurable, sustained improvement in yield and defect rates.
  • Support Engineering Change Notice (ECN) implementation on the production floor, ensuring disciplined change control and documentation.
  • Collaborate with Purchasing and suppliers on supplier quality issues affecting production, including containment and corrective action follow-through.

Facilities & Safety

  • Own facility upkeep, building systems, and preventive maintenance of production equipment, test stands, and tooling; manage equipment calibration programs.
  • Maintain and enforce the site ESD control program and clean, organized, audit-ready production areas.
  • Lead environmental, health, and safety (EHS) compliance, including OSHA requirements, safety training, incident investigation, and preventive measures.
  • Manage facility-related vendors, service contracts, and capital equipment projects, including justification, procurement support, and installation.
  • Ensure site security, emergency preparedness, and business continuity readiness for the Reedsburg facility.

Leadership & Team Development

  • Lead, coach, and develop production supervisors, leads, quality staff, and facilities/maintenance personnel; conduct performance reviews and support hiring.
  • Build a culture of ownership, safety, quality, and respect on the production floor, with clear expectations and consistent accountability.
  • Communicate site performance, risks, and improvement plans to the Director of Operations through regular KPI reporting and operational reviews.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Planning, Purchasing, Shipping & Warehouse, Engineering, and HR to resolve operational issues quickly and constructively.

Qualifications

Required

  • 10+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations, including 5+ years in a production, plant, or operations leadership role.
  • Demonstrated success managing production teams and delivering results on output, quality, cost, and safety metrics.
  • Working knowledge of quality management practices, root-cause analysis, and corrective action processes in a manufacturing environment.
  • Hands-on experience with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
  • Strong leadership and communication skills, able to set clear expectations, develop people, and collaborate effectively across functions.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and ERP/MES systems.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, or a related field.

Preferred

  • Experience in electronics manufacturing, including PCBA assembly, functional test, and IPC workmanship standards.
  • Familiarity with ESD control programs (ANSI/ESD S20.20) and ISO 9001-style quality systems.
  • Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher) or equivalent continuous improvement credential.
  • Experience with Epicor ERP is a strong advantage.
  • Facilities management experience, including preventive maintenance programs and capital equipment projects.

Sound Devices offers a comprehensive benefit package including health, dental, VTL, LTD, paid time off and parental leave. 

The above statements are a general description of the work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.  No visa sponsorship available. 

To apply for this position: please send your cover letter and resume via email to [email protected] with the name of the position for which you are applying. No telephone inquiries please. When you apply for a position, we will always treat your personal data with respect. To learn more about how we manage your personal information please read our Privacy Policy.

About Sound Devices

Sound Devices is an industry-leading manufacturer of award-winning mixers, recorders, and wireless audio gear used by professionals around the world. A small, close-knit company, Sound Devices has the expansive customer base, global sales network, and ambitious marketing strategy of a much larger company, and is known for its dedication to engineering excellence and renowned technical service and support. Sound Devices’ offices are friendly, casual settings that encourage innovation and professional growth.