VP/GM - WAF - Crookston
About The Position
For nearly 35 years, one leader has shaped manufacturing in Crookston, Minnesota. In 2022, that ownership group chose Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry as the next home for the business, all because WAF shared one of their core values: a real commitment to people. This past June, the operation completed its transition to WAF-Crookston, under the same steady leadership that built it. Today, the company that began in a garage in 1971 employs approximately 80 people and remains a cornerstone of the Crookston community. Now, we're looking for the person who will help build what comes next. Our current VP & GM plans to retire next April and has committed to a meaningful transition period with his successor. This means you'll have something rare: the opportunity to learn about this business directly from the leader who helped build it. We're looking for someone who can honor what's been built, earn the trust of the people who built it, and bring the vision and accountability to lead the next chapter. This isn't about stepping into someone else's shoes. It's about building the future. As VP & General Manager, you'll serve as the senior leader of the Crookston operation and a member of WAF's Executive Leadership Team. You will have full operational and P&L responsibility for the facility, leading Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and the broader plant leadership team. The numbers are only part of the job. You'll also be responsible for the culture, the people, the customers, and ultimately the future of WAF-Crookston.
Requirements
- A bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field
- 8 – 12+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience
- 3 – 5+ years as a Plant Manager, General Manager, or VP with direct P&L responsibility
- A track record of improving safety, quality, productivity, and cost
- Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies
- Strong financial and operational acumen
Nice To Haves
- Experience in metal casting, foundry operations, or broader metal manufacturing is preferred, as is an engineering background.
- A leader who understands that businesses are built by people.
- Someone who doesn’t confuse leadership with having the corner office
- Will walk the floor and knows the names of the people doing the work
- Makes hard financial decisions and understands its impact on the person who's been here 20 years
- Holds people accountable without losing their trust
- Honors a company's history without becoming trapped by it
- Is humble enough to inherit something great, and confident enough to make it better
Responsibilities
- Full P&L ownership including revenue, cost, margin, and capital performance
- Day-to-day manufacturing operations, with accountability for safety, quality, delivery, and cost
- Annual operating budgets and capital planning
- Capacity expansion, capital investment, and productivity initiatives
- A high-performing plant leadership team
- Lean, Six Sigma, and operational excellence initiatives
- Customer, supplier, and community relationships
Benefits
- A strong manufacturing operation and an experienced team
- A respected place in the Crookston community
- A company with a history stretching back more than five decades
- A leadership team to build upon
- The opportunity to put your own mark on the next chapter
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
