Sheldon Ehli

About Sheldon Ehli

Results-driven plant operations leader focused on building exceptional teams and fostering a culture of excellence. Over two decades of manufacturing experience has taught me that sustainable success comes from empowering people to take ownership and pride in their work. Combining MBA-level strategic thinking with hands-on LEAN expertise, I work alongside my teams to optimize operations, eliminate waste, and drive measurable business impact. My leadership philosophy is simple: when you invest in people and give them the tools to succeed, operational excellence naturally follows.

Experience

1. Plant Manager

   Novolex

   Nov 2024 — Present · Moorhead, MN, US

   As Plant Manager of a 24/7 operation with 168 employees, I lead overall plant performance, culture, and strategy, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable production. I focus on developing strong teams, strengthening processes, and driving continuous improvement across operations.During my tenure, I helped elevate the plant’s performance by improving overall equipment effectiveness and returning the facility to positive EBITDA ahead of schedule. I also delivered multi-million-dollar annual cost savings through operational improvements, smarter material use, and reduced conversion costs. One of my most impactful initiatives was implementing a new dust-mitigation system that significantly enhanced fire safety and has since become a model for other Novolex sites.In addition to full P&L ownership, I manage key improvement projects—including a current initiative expected to save the plant over $800K annually—and work to create a culture where teams are supported, empowered, and able to perform at their best.

Education

• North Dakota State University

  B.S., Business Administration

  1999 — 2002

• North Dakota State University

  Master of Business Administration (MBA), Business Administration and Management, General

  2012 — 2015