Kitting & Materials Flow Supervisor

A day in the life

As the Kitting & Materials Flow Supervisor, you are the on-shift point person keeping production lines supplied and moving. Working on-site in Ripon, WI on 2nd shift (3:00 pm – 1:00 am), you guide a unionized team, coordinate closely with production, warehousing, and supply chain, and ensure materials and finished goods move smoothly across the shop floor. Your focus: zero disruptions, accurate inventory, and safe, efficient handling from dock to line and back again.

What you’ll lead

• Team leadership in a union environment: Directly supervise material handlers and kitting staff, including scheduling, training, performance management, and issue resolution. Lead the crew that delivers items to the production lines to prevent interruptions.
• Union relations: Adhere to union agreements and regulations. Address concerns promptly and collaborate productively with union representatives.
• Cross-functional communications: Serve as liaison between production teams, warehouse staff, and buyers to resolve material issues, align expectations, and coordinate activities. Partner with buyers and warehouse to manage the return and replacement of defective goods.
• Reporting and administration: Generate and analyze performance reports (delivery times, inventory levels) to inform decisions. Record time, attendance, vacation, and coverage for your area.

What you’ll manage

• Shop-floor coordination: Oversee day-to-day kitting operations across distribution, inventory control, and fulfillment. Direct the flow of materials and finished products on the shop floor at Ripon and Manitowoc, ensuring lines are supplied and finished goods are routed correctly.
• Inventory management: Monitor floor inventory, manage replenishment, and synchronize with warehouse teams to maintain adequate supply and reduce disruptions. Conduct audits and verify materials against production schedules, sequences, department orders, and related documents.
• Material handling & safety: Ensure safe, efficient loading and unloading and strict adherence to safety protocols for all material and product movement.
• Problem solving & performance tracking: Resolve transportation and supply chain issues (delays, damage, discrepancies) proactively. Monitor and track staff performance against organizational objectives.
• Continuous improvement: Evaluate kitting processes to boost efficiency, cut waste, and support production goals; implement procedural improvements where needed.
• Administrative tasks: Approve union team members’ time and vacation requests. Ensure completion of safety, team leader, and required compliance training.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent required. A degree or certification in leadership management or a related field is advantageous; 2–3 years of relevant experience preferred.
• Experience: Background in production or warehouse management, including supervisory experience in a unionized setting.
• Skills: Strong leadership and team management, excellent organization and communication, and the ability to thrive in a fast-moving, hands-on environment.
• Knowledge: Shop-floor operations, material handling equipment, safety standards, and union regulations/agreements.

Working conditions

• Environment: Primarily on the shop floor across a large footprint in a manufacturing setting with exposure to noise, varying temperatures, and physical activity (including lifting and moving materials).
• Hours: Full-time, 2nd shift (3:00 pm – 1:00 am), with occasional overtime or weekend work based on business needs.