Nikkel Iron Works, located in Shafter, California in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, is a long-established manufacturer of agricultural equipment serving farms and dealers across the United States. Founded in 1923 as a small blacksmith shop repairing farm equipment, the company has grown into a respected manufacturer known for building rugged, practical machinery designed for real-world farming conditions. Today, Nikkel Iron Works produces industry-recognized equipment including DARF hay rakes, vineyard dusters, nut crowders, and tillage tools, which are distributed through a nationwide network of more than 200 agricultural equipment dealers. With over a century of agricultural manufacturing heritage, the company continues to expand its product line while maintaining a strong commitment to quality, reliability, and service to growers.

We are seeking an experienced Plant Manager to lead our day-to-day plant operations. This leadership role oversees manufacturing, production scheduling, quality control, inventory management, and overall plant performance while collaborating closely with Sales and Engineering teams on new product development.

This position offers significant autonomy and leadership responsibility, giving the right individual the opportunity to drive operational improvements while leading a skilled manufacturing team.

Compensation & Benefits

We are a progressive organization offering competitive compensation and benefits package including:

Salary: $90,000 – $120,000 (depending on experience)
Relocation assistance
Medical and Dental Insurance
401(k) with company contribution
Profit sharing
Opportunity to grow with an expanding agricultural equipment manufacturing company

Key Responsibilities

Lead day-to-day plant operations including production, scheduling, quality control, and inventory management
Manage and optimize manufacturing processes within a metal fabrication environment
Oversee production planning using MRP manufacturing systems
Collaborate with Sales and Engineering teams on new product development and manufacturing feasibility
Maintain high standards for product quality, safety, and operational efficiency
Develop, mentor, and train production employees and supervisors
Coordinate with vendors, equipment dealers, and customers regarding service and technical matters
Manage budgets and production costs while improving operational performance
Support company growth through process improvement and team leadership

Travel: Approximately 10%

Qualifications

5+ years of leadership experience in equipment manufacturing or industrial manufacturing
Experience overseeing production scheduling and quality control
5+ years of experience with MRP manufacturing software, including:
- Bills of Materials (BOMs)
- Inventory management
- Costing
- Routings
- Work orders
5+ years working in a metal fabrication environment, including familiarity with welding and welding processes
Demonstrated success in team leadership, mentoring, and employee development
Track record of career progression or promotion within an organization
Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively with customers, vendors, and internal teams
Strong focus on customer service and operational excellence
Experience with R&D or new product development in manufacturing is a plus

If you are a hands-on manufacturing leader with experience in agricultural equipment manufacturing, metal fabrication, or industrial production, we encourage you to apply and help lead the next phase of growth at Nikkel Iron Works.

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