Confidential Plant Development Advisor - Steel Tanks (Remote)

Facility Design Advisor

Our client is a well-established industrial products manufacturer with operations in North America. As part of a long-term growth strategy, the company is investing in a new manufacturing platform involving steel tanks and is seeking an experienced advisor to support facility planning and operational development. The role will involve collaboration with executive and operations leadership on facility layout, manufacturing processes, equipment strategy, and plant readiness. Due to the confidential nature of the project, additional details will be shared following an initial discussion and mutual interest.

Advising on overall facility design, manufacturing layout, and production workflow.

Developing recommendations regarding material flow, operational efficiency, and plant configuration.

Supporting the design and implementation of manufacturing systems, fabrication processes, and production lines.

Providing practical expertise related to welding, fabrication, coating, finishing, and quality processes.

Evaluating manufacturing equipment requirements and the integration of key production assets.

Recommending best practices for plant organization, staffing, operational readiness, and production ramp-up.

Identifying potential operational risks and opportunities throughout the development and commissioning phases.

Collaborating with executive leadership to ensure the facility is designed for long-term scalability, efficiency, and profitability.

Acting as a trusted subject matter expert, drawing upon prior experience building, expanding, commissioning, or operating industrial manufacturing facilities.

The ideal candidate is not a traditional consultant, but a hands-on manufacturing leader who has personally participated in facility build-outs, major plant expansions, production scale-ups, or greenfield projects. Experience in fabrication, welding-intensive manufacturing, engineered products, heavy industrial manufacturing, metals, pressure vessels, storage tanks, or similar environments is highly desirable. This is a flexible consulting engagement, anticipated to range from approximately 3 to 18 months, with a commitment of approximately 2-4 days per week, depending on project milestones and business needs. What makes this opportunity unique: You will have the opportunity to influence critical decisions around facility design, manufacturing strategy, operational readiness, equipment integration, staffing, and production capabilities while helping shape a significant long-term manufacturing investment.

Proven manufacturing leader with experience as a Plant Manager, Plant Director, General Manager, VP Manufacturing, VP Operations, or similar leadership position.

Hands-on experience designing, expanding, commissioning, or operating industrial manufacturing facilities.

Strong understanding of facility layout, manufacturing workflow, material flow, and production scalability.

Practical expertise in fabrication, welding operations, coating/finishing processes, and quality systems.

Experience evaluating, selecting, and implementing manufacturing equipment and production technologies.

Demonstrated success supporting greenfield projects, major plant expansions, facility relocations, or operational transformations.

Comfortable working closely with executive leadership while also providing practical, shop-floor level recommendations.

Experience within heavy industrial manufacturing, fabricated metal products, engineered products, pressure vessels, storage tanks, process equipment, or similar production environments is highly desirable.

Able to identify operational risks, improve manufacturing efficiency, and develop realistic implementation plans that can be executed by operations teams.

Entrepreneurial, collaborative, and hands-on approach with the ability to act as a trusted advisor throughout facility design, development, start-up, and commissioning activities.

Preferred: Prior consulting, advisory, interim leadership, or fractional executive experience, with the flexibility to commit approximately 2-4 days per week over a multi-phase project expected to span 3-18 months.

Competitive consulting rate of $120-$180/hour, depending on experience and industry expertise.

Highly visible opportunity to help design and develop a new U.S. manufacturing facility from the ground up.

Flexible engagement of approximately 2-4 days per week with an anticipated duration of 3-18 months.

Potential opportunity to transition into a long-term leadership position as the operation scales and matures.