Plant Manager
Quanex · Owatonna, MN
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Production
- Base pay
- $150k–$170k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 18 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management production role at Quanex (industrial) in Owatonna, MN. Quanex (NYSE: NX) is a global, publicly traded manufacturing company primarily serving OEMs in the fenestration, cabinetry, solar, refrigeration and outdoor products markets.
- They ask for
- 2+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Kaizen, CATIA / NX
- Base pay
- $150k–$170k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Production Engineer roles in Minnesota: typical posted base $120k–$195k. This one lists $150k–$170k.
Median of the low and high ends of 21 live postings that list pay, out of 33 production engineer openings in Minnesota, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Minnesota plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 32 other live production postings in Minnesota.
- Base pay
- About 27% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (2+ vs 10+)
Typical $102k–$150k, from 13 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 10+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Team leadership 52%
- ✓ Lean 42%
- EHS / safety 27%
- Six Sigma 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for CATIA / NX, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Production team at Quanex
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Quanex in Owatonna
1 other open role at this site.
- Production Supervisor - 2nd Shift · Production · Supervisor
Full description from QuanexAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Quanex is looking for a Plant Manager to join our team in Owatonna, MN .
As the leader of this manufacturing facility, you will foster a culture of safety, teamwork, accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement. You will balance strategic planning with daily operational excellence, leading the team to achieve customer, productivity, quality, and financial objectives. This role has full responsibility for site P&L performance and oversees all plant operations and maintenance.
We Offer You!
- •Competitive Salary
- •Bonus Potential
- •401K with 5% company match, yours to keep after 2 years
- •15% immediate return if you participate in the company’s ESPP
- •Medical, Dental & Vision Plans
- •Employer paid disability plans and life insurance
- •Paid Time Off & Holidays
- •Tuition support for degree and continuous education
- •Employee Resource Groups focused on employee empowerment
- •Monthly Leadership webinars
What’s attractive about this position?
Lead plant operations with the autonomy to drive safety, efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement initiatives
Be part of a company that invests in its people, values leadership development, and promotes a collaborative, team-first environment.
- •Travel opportunities to participate in Kaizen events across North America
What Success Looks Like
- •Drive plant strategy and performance by leading production, maintenance, quality, engineering, and logistics operations while aligning plant goals with Quanex's long-term vision.
- •Establish and communicate a vision for the plant that motivates employees and connects to corporate/divisional strategies.
- •Champion a culture of continuous improvement by implementing lean manufacturing principles, driving innovation, and leading initiatives that enhance efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction.
- •Lead and develop high-performing teams through coaching, talent development, succession planning, and a culture of accountability, engagement, and recognition.
- •Establish and communicate clear and measurable expectations of performance and provide frequent feedback to ensure the achievement of goals and personal development for employees.
- •Serve as a safety and operational leader by fostering a world-class safety culture and ensuring operational excellence across all aspects of the facility.
- •Shape the future of the operation through capital investment planning, technology implementation, and strategic initiatives that position the plant for sustainable growth.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
What You Bring
- •Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a business related field. Experience in lieu of education.
- •Ten or more years of progressive Manufacturing experience and a minimum of five years in a leadership role.
- •Experience in working within fast paced, complex, dynamic business environment.
- •Strategic thinker who proactively drives results and balances immediate priorities with long-term business objectives.
- •Proven leader who develops talent, delegates effectively, and creates a culture of engagement, accountability, and recognition.
- •Safety-focused change agent and effective communicator who leverages technology to enhance performance and elevate employee engagement.
About Quanex, A Part of Something Bigger
Quanex (NYSE: NX) is a global, publicly traded manufacturing company primarily serving OEMs in the fenestration, cabinetry, solar, refrigeration and outdoor products markets. We are A Part of Something Bigger by improving the performance and aesthetics of end products through continuous innovation, helping customers achieve greater production efficiencies, dedication to giving back to communities where we operate, producing shareholder value and helping our employees learn, grow, and thrive. Learn more at Quanex.com .