Francisco Manalo

Francisco Manalo is an accomplished operations leader with extensive experience in plant management and continuous improvement across various manufacturing sectors. Currently serving as Plant Manager at Guardian Equipment since July 2021, Francisco drives operational excellence by focusing on safety, quality, delivery, inventory, and productivity goals. Previously, as Operations Manager at Pentair Flow & Filtration Solutions, Francisco oversaw a $170 million plant and a workforce of 120 hourly employees. Francisco’s background includes roles as Lean Manager, Continuous Improvement Manager, and Value Stream Manager, with a strong emphasis on implementing Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to cultivate a culture of continuous improvement. An MBA holder in Operations Management from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a Bachelor’s degree in Management and Industrial Engineering, Francisco combines academic knowledge with hands-on leadership experience to achieve significant operational success.