What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manager Trainee position at Welch Packaging?
Manager Trainee - Elkhart, IN
Relocation required within 18-36 months for advancement
Welch Packaging is seeking a driven, growth-minded operations leader who aspires to advance into plant leadership. This role is designed for high-performing talent who can excel in today’s responsibilities while preparing for broader operational and people leadership roles across our manufacturing network.
As a Manager Trainee, you must first learn the full operations of the corrugator. This takes 9-12 months. Ultimately, this role will lead daily production activities, coach teams, and drive performance in a fast-paced corrugator environment. You will gain exposure to cross-functional partners, participate in leadership development assignments, and receive mentorship to accelerate your long-term career growth.
At Welch Packaging, we invest in developing the next generation of plant leaders.
You’ll experience:
Learn Corrugator
Required
Individuals may need to sit or stand as needed. May require walking primarily on a level surface for periodic periods throughout the day. Reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist or lifting as required to pull stock sheets for samples or to store materials during the workday. Proper lifting techniques required. May include lifting up to 50 pounds stock sheets.
Work Environment:
Individuals may need to sit or stand as needed. May require walking primarily on a level surface for periodic periods throughout the day. Reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist or lifting as required to pull stock sheets for samples or to store materials during the workday. Proper lifting techniques required. May include lifting up to 50 pounds stock sheets.
Welch Packaging is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran.
Relocation required within 18-36 months for advancement
Welch Packaging is seeking a driven, growth-minded operations leader who aspires to advance into plant leadership. This role is designed for high-performing talent who can excel in today’s responsibilities while preparing for broader operational and people leadership roles across our manufacturing network.
As a Manager Trainee, you must first learn the full operations of the corrugator. This takes 9-12 months. Ultimately, this role will lead daily production activities, coach teams, and drive performance in a fast-paced corrugator environment. You will gain exposure to cross-functional partners, participate in leadership development assignments, and receive mentorship to accelerate your long-term career growth.
At Welch Packaging, we invest in developing the next generation of plant leaders.
You’ll experience:
- Training in manufacturing excellence, continuous improvement, and people leadership
- Opportunities to relocate and broaden your experience across multiple facilities
- A culture that values innovation, safety, and growing talent from within
Learn Corrugator
- Become proficient in all aspects from the sheet line to the control room
- Demonstrate strong self-accountability and a desire to learn and be curious
- Position yourself as a coach encouraging the development of others and promoting safe practices
- Perform at key performance levels
- Lead and coach hourly team members to achieve daily targets in safety, quality, and productivity
- Oversee production activities on the corrugator or converting line
- Partner with maintenance, scheduling, and quality teams to optimize equipment uptime and minimize waste
- Support root cause analysis and implement corrective actions
- Communicate performance expectations clearly and hold team members accountable
Required
- 3–7 years of experience in manufacturing, operations, military leadership, or a related field
- Demonstrated experience leading teams or influencing others
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure
- Strong communication skills and ability to influence across levels
- High degree of ownership, accountability, and follow-through
- Ability and willingness to relocate for future advancement
- Exposure to high-volume, fast-paced industrial or production environments
- Career ambition to move into roles of increasing responsibility
- Learning agility – quickly steps into new environments and picks up new concepts
- Leadership drive – seeks responsibility, leads with integrity, and motivates others
- Resilience – maintains performance through challenges, change, and ambiguity
- Business curiosity – wants to understand how the plant runs and how they can improve it
- Mobility – open to relocating to prepare for broader leadership roles
Individuals may need to sit or stand as needed. May require walking primarily on a level surface for periodic periods throughout the day. Reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist or lifting as required to pull stock sheets for samples or to store materials during the workday. Proper lifting techniques required. May include lifting up to 50 pounds stock sheets.
Work Environment:
Individuals may need to sit or stand as needed. May require walking primarily on a level surface for periodic periods throughout the day. Reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist or lifting as required to pull stock sheets for samples or to store materials during the workday. Proper lifting techniques required. May include lifting up to 50 pounds stock sheets.
Welch Packaging is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran.