Lean Manufacturing Team Leader

A day in this role

The sun is setting as your team gathers for a quick safety huddle. You open with near‑miss learnings, recognize a sharp catch from a team member, and reinforce the standard work for the night. With production targets loaded and materials staged, you circulate the line—coaching, removing roadblocks, and partnering with technical staff to keep equipment and processes running smoothly. When an employee brings up a concern, you listen first, provide guidance, and, when needed, coordinate with Union Stewards to resolve issues respectfully and by the book. By the end of the shift, the team has met schedule, reduced work‑in‑process, and left the area organized and safe for the next crew.

Role overview

We’re looking for a results‑oriented Production Supervisor to lead a high‑performance team in a fast‑paced, high‑volume manufacturing environment. This first‑line leader champions a safety‑first culture, continuous improvement, and servant leadership—ensuring the team is both protected and positioned to succeed while meeting scheduled production requirements.

Location and schedule

• Based in Ripon, WI
• 2nd shift: Monday–Thursday, 3:00pm–1:00am
• Occasional overtime on Fridays, 1:00pm–9:00pm

What you’ll lead

• Drive safety initiatives that build a culture of awareness and full compliance.
• Educate, train, and motivate production Team Members on safety protocols and procedures.
• Create an environment where continuous improvement and safety are everyday behaviors.
• Empower every team member to contribute ideas and actions that improve the work.
• Model respectful treatment of all team members in every discussion, interaction, and decision.
• Coach and mentor production Team Members in best practices that elevate safety and productivity.
• Eliminate risk and waste while developing team member skills to advance lean operations.
• Ensure employees are properly trained by their Team Leader or another designated trainer in safety, quality, equipment operation, and 5S.
• Foster a collaborative environment that welcomes feedback and participation in safety initiatives.
• Interface with technical staff to ensure the right expertise is on hand when needed.
• Set annual goals and objectives aligned to operating metrics and track progress.
• Continuously improve processes while reducing inventory levels and work in progress.
• Serve as the first point of contact for employee relations matters and address them promptly.
• Interface with Union Stewards on contract and discipline issues to ensure fair, consistent outcomes.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated servant leadership approach and ability to lead by example.
• 1–3 years in a medium/high‑volume, fast‑paced manufacturing environment with a strong safety focus (preferred).
• Prior experience supervising in manufacturing (preferred).
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Manufacturing Engineering, or Operations (preferred).
• Relevant professional, internship, or co‑op experience considered.

Skills and abilities

• Self‑driven and ambitious; proven capability to coach, mentor, and supervise teams.
• Proficient with Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Strong problem solver who encourages proactive, solution‑oriented thinking.
• Foundational knowledge of process control, production scheduling, Kaizen, Kanban, and Lean (preferred).

Physical requirements

• Stooping, bending, and prolonged standing; manual dexterity; ability to lift up to 50 lbs without assistance.