General Manager – Brainerd, MN

Are you ready to be part of a team that is dedicated to making buildings better? Look no further! Lexington Manufacturing, LLC is seeking a General Manager to lead our Brainerd manufacturing site and continue our tradition of operational excellence, strong community partnership, and a culture rooted in our Mission, Vision, and Core Values.

If you are passionate about leading people, elevating performance, strengthening cross‑functional alignment, and driving results in a high‑growth manufacturing environment—this role is for you.

About Lexington Manufacturing

At Lexington Manufacturing, we take pride in the core values that guide our actions every day.
We believe in:

• Teamwork — we win together
• Resourcefulness & Problem Solving — we seek excellence
• Integrity — our word is our bond
• Growth — of our company and ourselves
• People First — relationships and well‑being matter

We create component solutions for buildings around the world and are committed to providing a positive, safe, and rewarding place to work.

Perks & Benefits

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and employer HSA contributions
• PTO & Paid Holidays upon hire
• 401(k) with employer match
• Profit Sharing
• Tuition reimbursement
• Monthly activities and employee events
• Professional development and leadership growth opportunities
• Employee recognition programs (with complimentary meals!)

About the Role: General Manager

The General Manager is the site leader for the Brainerd manufacturing facility, responsible for delivering safe, high‑quality, on‑time, and cost‑effective operations. This role owns all aspects of plant performance—including production, maintenance, supply chain, scheduling, and warehouse/shipping—while partnering closely with Quality, Safety, Finance, Engineering, HR, and other teams to achieve business goals.

The General Manager plays a critical role in translating strategy into execution, developing leaders, fostering cultural excellence, and ensuring Lexington remains an employer of choice in the Brainerd Lakes Area.

Core Responsibilities

Site Leadership

• Provide clear communication, direction, and vision for all site functions
• Translate corporate strategy into executable plans with measurable targets
• Anticipate site needs and lead long‑range planning for people, materials, equipment, and capacity
• Champion a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and ownership
• Ensure a safe, positive, respectful, and highly engaged work environment

Operational Performance

• Lead teams to achieve KPIs in safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost
• Ensure reliable execution through standard work, visual management, and tiered communication
• Optimize workforce planning, material flow, and equipment utilization
• Ensure compliance, equipment uptime, and stable processes
• Drive cross‑functional issue resolution and operational discipline

Financial Management & Business Results

• Own the operational P&L: labor, materials, overhead, capital
• Partner with Finance to establish budgets, forecasts, and cost‑reduction plans
• Collaborate with Sales on revenue goals
• Review KPIs and financial performance; implement corrective actions
• Lead cost‑saving initiatives through LEAN and structured problem‑solving methods
• Ensure strong inventory control and scheduling excellence

People Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, coach, and develop managers and high‑potential employees
• Set clear expectations, drive accountability, and ensure strong communication
• Partner with HR on staffing, performance, retention, and workforce planning
• Build leadership capability across the plant and reinforce Right Person/Right Seat
• Champion a culture of teamwork, recognition, learning, and continuous improvement

Collaboration & Cross‑Functional Partnership

• Foster deep collaboration with Engineering, Quality, Safety, CI, HR, Finance, and IT
• Ensure alignment between operations, supply chain, planning, and customer service
• Remove barriers and influence cross‑departmental problem solving
• Maintain an active, positive presence in the Brainerd Lakes community, strengthening Lexington’s identity as an employer of choice

Change Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Serve as a visible change agent for new systems, processes, and initiatives
• Sponsor improvement efforts focused on throughput, quality, capacity, and growth
• Promote data‑driven decisions and structured problem solving (A3, 5 Why, Kaizen, PDCA)
• Embed LEAN behaviors throughout plant culture

Job Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required (Engineering, Operations, Business, or related field preferred)
• 7+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience
• Prior Plant Manager or similar operational leadership experience
• Strong ERP, data analysis, and Microsoft Office proficiency
• Ability to stand/walk for extended periods; lift 40 lbs; tolerate heat/cold and plant environment

Preferred:

• Master’s degree (MBA or related)
• LEAN/CI certification or significant CI leadership experience

Working Environment

• Noise and dust levels requiring hearing and eye protection
• Varied hot/cold warehouse temperatures
• Some exposure to humidity and paint smells
• Repetitive movements and extended standing/walking