Team Lead - Manufacturing

Team Lead - Manufacturing

Position type: Full-Time, Hourly

Location: Sun Prairie, WI

Ask Yourself This…

Do you thrive in an employee-focused environment with a small-company feel?  Are you looking for an exciting and rewarding challenge with an opportunity to make an impact?  If this sounds like you, then join us as a Team Lead - Manufacturing in Sun Prairie, WI!

Who We Are

Washington Mills is built on values that matter. Founded more than 150 years ago, we have earned our reputation as one of the world’s most trusted and reliable producers of abrasive, ceramic, and refractory grains and powders. Serving thousands of customers and offering the broadest selection of abrasive grain and specialty electro-fused minerals in the market today, we constantly pursue growth in our products, our approach, and our people.  Our founding principles of honesty, integrity, and reliability still guide our business today, and we are a proud community of hands-on problem solvers, committed to shaping the materials applications of the future.  With global distribution and sites located throughout North America and Europe, Washington Mills opens the door to a world of opportunity, creativity, and challenge.

What You’ll Do

As the Team Lead – Manufacturing, you will oversee the day-to-day operations of the ceramic extrusion lines by following the Production Manager's guidelines. You will lead by example, drive accountability, support operator development, and help push the team forward through hands-on training, problem-solving, and leadership. This is a working lead role, requiring operational knowledge of all front, back, and offline extrusion processes.

• Lead daily operations of assigned production lines, ensuring consistent output and quality.
• Act as the first point of contact for operators during shifts to address issues quickly and effectively.
• Monitor workflow and coordinate activities to meet production targets.
• Responsible for ensuring all operators are properly trained on extruder operation.
• Responsible for cross-training all operators to ensure everyone gets development and each position has appropriate coverage.
• Ensure all team members follow safety policies and use PPE appropriately.
• Collaborate with maintenance or supervisors to troubleshoot equipment issues.
• Foster a positive, cooperative, and focused work environment.
• Provide feedback and coaching to team members to promote growth and accountability.
• Communicate clearly with the Production Manager on progress, issues, and ideas for improvement.
• Support continuous improvement and help identify opportunities to enhance productivity.

What You’ll Need

To be successful in this position, you must:

• Possess a High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Have strong leadership skills with prior experience as a team lead or similar role in manufacturing.
• Demonstrate operational knowledge of extrusion equipment and processes.
• Be confident in training others and maintaining a positive, professional attitude.
• Be reliable, safety-conscious, and solution-oriented.
• Communicate effectively and lead by example.

Compensation

We proudly offer robust compensation and benefits packages, including:

• Competitive pay, with opportunities to advance
• World-class medical and dental plans
• Employer-sponsored retirement plan
• Company-paid life insurance
• Paid vacation and generous holiday time
• Family-friendly personal leave policies

Interested? We want to hear from you! Visit washingtonmills.com/careers and tell us why you’re the candidate we’re looking for.

The job responsibilities described above indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to include a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities for this job. Job duties and responsibilities are subject to change based on evolving business needs and conditions.