Plant Manager - Franklin, WI

At Modine, we are engineering a cleaner, healthier world. Building on more than 100 years of excellence in thermal management, we provide trusted systems and solutions that improve air quality and conserve natural resources. We have over 13,000 employees worldwide and operate in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Modine is an equal opportunity employer.

We are seeking a hands‑on and strategic Plant Manager to lead the start‑up and long‑term operations of our new manufacturing facility producing infrastructure products for data centers. This is a unique opportunity to help stand up a new plant from the ground up, set the tone for operational excellence, build a high‑performing team, and create a culture centered on safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

The Plant Manager will be responsible for all aspects of plant operations, including production, maintenance, quality and safety. This role will work closely with the executive team and cross‑functional leaders to ensure a successful ramp‑up and ongoing scalability of the operation.

Travel will start at 50% (traveling to Calgary, Canada twice per month) and decrease to 10% as the Franklin, WI plant ramps up to production by the end of calendar 2025. After the Franklin plant is occupied, intermittent travel will be required for customers, suppliers, other facilities, and regional and corporate meetings.

• Lead the start‑up of a new manufacturing facility, including equipment installation, staffing, operational readiness and initial production launch.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive plant start‑up plan aligned with business objectives and production targets.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, HR and supply chain teams to ensure seamless facility launch.

• Lead and manage day‑to‑day plant operations, ensuring safety, quality and productivity targets are met.
• Ensure a safe working environment for all employees and minimize environmental impact by complying with all external and internal regulations.
• Manage financial performance, KPIs and the functional responsibilities of each staff/department manager.
• Develop short‑ and long‑term operating and business plans that align with regional and company goals.
• Manage plant budgets, headcount and resource planning to support business demands.
• Collaborate with engineering, supply chain, HR and quality to drive plant‑wide initiatives.

• Recruit, hire and develop the plant leadership team and hourly workforce in partnership with HR.
• Set clear expectations, drive accountability and create a culture of empowerment and ownership.
• Partner with local schools, technical programs and workforce agencies to support long‑term talent pipeline development.

• Ensure full compliance with company standards, environmental regulations and all applicable laws.
• Promote and enforce a safety‑first culture through training and behavior‑based safety practices.

• Communicate effectively at all levels of the organization using written, verbal and presentation techniques.
• Participate in employee relations, including managing the employee handbook, performance and development processes.
• Represent the company as the local top executive, engaging in community affairs and maintaining positive public relations.
• Support talent development and performance management of plant employees.
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement and continuous improvement.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management or a related field.
• 7+ years of manufacturing experience, with at least 3 years in a plant or operations leadership role.
• Prior experience with plant start‑up or facility expansion is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional teams and deliver results in a fast‑paced, high‑growth manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience in lean manufacturing, continuous improvement and KPI management.
• Strong leadership, communication and organizational…