Lean Manufacturing Operations Supervisor

At 3:00 pm in Ripon, WI, you step onto a high-energy manufacturing floor with a clear mission: protect people, meet plan, and elevate performance. You rally a skilled team, confirm PPE is in use, scan workstations for ergonomic fit, and make sure today’s operating goals are understood. By shift end, you’ve collaborated with technical specialists, removed roadblocks, and coached team members—leaving the line safer, smoother, and smarter than you found it.

• Ripon, Wisconsin
• 2nd shift: Monday–Thursday, 3:00 pm–1:00 am
• Occasional overtime: Fridays, 1:00 pm–9:00 pm

• Champion a safety-first culture: comply with OSHA/EPA requirements, stay current on regulatory changes, and ensure company safety procedures are followed without exception.
• Ensure every team member has and properly uses the right PPE; reinforce ergonomic best practices across stations.
• Embed continuous improvement: empower the team to identify waste, suggest better methods, and practice lean thinking daily.
• Model respectful, servant leadership in every conversation, decision, and action.
• Confirm employees receive robust training from Team Leaders or designated trainers in safety, quality, equipment operation, and 6S.
• Partner with technical resources to secure timely support for equipment and process issues.
• Set annual objectives aligned to operating metrics; track progress and remove obstacles.
• Drive process refinement to reduce inventory and work-in-process while protecting quality and delivery.
• Serve as the first stop for employee relations concerns; collaborate with Union Stewards on contract and disciplinary matters.
• Tackle other tasks as assigned to support production success.

• Proven servant-leader approach with the ability to coach, mentor, and supervise a diverse team.
• Preferred: 1–3 years in a fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing environment; prior supervisor experience is a plus.
• Preferred education: Bachelor’s in Business, Manufacturing Engineering, or Operations. Relevant internships/co-ops count.
• Safety leadership: set the example, encourage open reporting without retaliation, conduct routine audits, and correct unsafe behaviors promptly.
• Strong problem solver who spurs proactive thinking and solution creation across the team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Familiarity with process control, production scheduling, Kaizen, Kanban, and Lean (preferred).

• Regular stooping, bending, and long periods on your feet
• Manual dexterity
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs without assistance

Your leadership is the difference between getting by and getting better. If you’re energized by creating safer processes, developing people, and hitting targets the right way, this team is ready for you.