Great Northern Cabinetry, a manufacturer of high-quality custom cabinetry sold through a nationwide network of kitchen and bath dealers, produces approximately 20,000 cabinets per year. Located in the Village of Rib Lake, WI (a 15-minute drive to the county seat in Medford, WI), Great Northern Cabinetry began in 1972 and employs approximately 85 people. The company is the village’s economic engine and its largest employer.
In 2020, a small group of private investors with extensive experience operating businesses in similar industries acquired Great Northern Cabinetry with a vision to create a leading growth platform in the industry. Ownership is actively involved and is executing the following strategy:
- Implement a lean focused operational system that drives daily improvement in safety, quality, delivery and cost.
- Double the number of active dealers served (and then double again) by adding density in existing markets and then adding new geographies over time.
- Elevate the company’s standing in the community with the aspiration to be the “best manufacturing job in Taylor County” by having a safe and welcoming environment, a team-oriented culture, and a strong compensation and benefits package.
The near-term and long-term outlook for the company’s products is strong. Both new construction and renovation activity is poised to grow for several years due to three macro-economic factors:
- Mortgage rates are expected to slowly decline from multi-decade highs, reducing the cost of home ownership and reigniting existing home sales.
- Since 2009, housing starts in the U.S. have substantially lagged new family formation, creating a shortage of three to five million homes nationwide.
- Equity in homeowner’s houses is at all time highs, and the average age of the U.S. housing stock is approaching a record 40 years old, implying a remodeling boom is on the horizon.
The company’s goal is to achieve $50 million in sales over the next several years, up from approximately $15 million today. With a strong macro-economic backdrop and a clear growth strategy, this aspiration is well within reach.
THE POSITION
Reporting to the company’s Chief Operating Officer (and one of the investor/owners), the Plant Director is responsible for daily safety, quality, production output and equipment maintenance. Of the company’s 85 employees, approximately 55 are direct production workers.
The newly hired Plant Director will work in concert with the Chief Operating Officer to implement and execute a lean focused management system, be able to motivate the hourly team by leveraging his or her soft skills while driving change, accountability, and results. The team has been accepting of the new way of operating but has many skills to learn and old habits to break. Creating a work environment that values experience while implementing a new system and improving our attractiveness to prospective team members is a critical part of the role.
The Plant Director will be part of the executive team and participate in the weekly executive staff meeting. Regarding specific duties, the successful candidate will:
- Develop a culture of safety, quality, delivery and cost throughout the company.
- Execute the lean manufacturing system being implemented to drive daily improvement.
- Create an environment that is attractive to potential employees by setting high expectations, holding team members accountable, rewarding performance, and demonstrating respect to all individuals.
- Achieve the daily, weekly, and monthly production objectives.
THE CANDIDATE
The successful candidate will be a self-starter who can interface effectively with all levels of the organization, is someone who has strong analytical and communication skills, and has the patience to work with a team that is transitioning from what “was” to what “will be.”
Direct experience with wood products would be beneficial, but at a minimum the successful candidate will have led operations in an engineered product business with medium to high volumes. For the right candidate, this will be an exciting, dynamic, challenging and rewarding position, with the opportunity to influence the company’s performance for years to come.
As it builds the company, ownership is seeking to employ three primary principles:
- Build a team oriented, politics free culture that places a high value on people;
- Serve customers the way we want to be served when we are the customer;
- Apply lean manufacturing techniques to create a mindset of continuous improvement.
The ideal candidate will be aligned with those principles and lead with the following characteristics:
- Patience with people; impatience with process.
- Cross functional leadership.
- Teacher and mentor.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills – knowing which levers to pull to drive different outcomes.
- Strategy development for capital planning, technology, process, and people.
While the ideal candidate will have a four-year degree and 15+ years of experience (10 of which will have been in leadership roles) leaders without a four-degree but a strong track record of success will also be considered. The selected candidate will have a strong background working for an organization with an established lean culture.
The chosen candidate must:
- Be able to lead others by example
- Be willing to “get his/her hands dirty” when required.
Finally, the successful candidate will enjoy living and working in a rural environment where being a part of the community is paramount and outdoors activities are central to a full lifestyle. This position is not eligible for remote work. Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience.
Great Northern Cabinetry is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals seeking employment at Great Northern Cabinetry are considered without regards to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation.
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