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Manufacturing Leader Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Manufacturing Excellence Leader leads, deploys, and sustains Manufacturing Excellence (ME) at the site level in alignment with the TMS Management System, driving a strong culture of Operational ...

... leaders worldwide, including Apple, Google, Tesla, New Balance, and NASA. Together, we're helping everyone design, prototype, and manufacture faster than ever before. We're a team of hands-on ...

The Manufacturing Leader is responsible for leading and setting the direction for one of the plant locations with overall responsibility for safety and environmental stewardship, productivity and ...

Job Overview As Manufacturing Unit Leader, you will shape efficient production operations, drive local implementation of global standards, and lead teams toward ambitious performance targets. Your ...

Plant Leader

Champlin, MN · On-site

$150K - $170K/yr

This role is responsible for driving safe, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing while ensuring ... The Plant Leader will lead the production organization, develop frontline leadership, drive ...

The Resident Regional Manufacturing Leader is the senior executive authority representing the company within the Contract Manufacturing (CM) partner's facility. This is a resident role requiring a ...

This is a hands-on manufacturing leadership role responsible for driving production performance, quality, and process excellence within a highly precise manufacturing environment. You will lead a ...

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Manufacturing Leader information

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$18

$33

$60

How much do manufacturing leader jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for manufacturing leader in the United States is $33.20, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.84 and $37.98 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Manufacturing Leaders, and how can they effectively address them?

Manufacturing Leaders often face challenges such as managing production schedules, ensuring product quality, and balancing cost efficiency with safety standards. They must also navigate workforce management, including motivating teams and handling skill gaps or turnover. Effective leaders address these challenges by fostering clear communication, implementing continuous improvement initiatives, and leveraging data to make informed decisions. Building strong relationships with cross-functional teams, such as engineering and quality assurance, is essential for creating a collaborative environment and driving operational success.

What are Manufacturing Leaders?

Manufacturing Leaders are professionals responsible for overseeing and managing production processes in a manufacturing environment. They ensure that manufacturing operations run smoothly, efficiently, and safely while meeting quality standards and production targets. Their duties include supervising staff, implementing process improvements, managing resources, and maintaining compliance with safety regulations. Manufacturing Leaders play a crucial role in optimizing productivity and supporting the overall success of manufacturing organizations.

What jobs pay 500,000 a year in the US?

In manufacturing leadership, executive roles such as Vice President of Manufacturing or Plant Director can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, especially in large companies or with significant bonuses and stock options. These positions typically require extensive experience, advanced management skills, and often involve overseeing multiple facilities or large teams.

What is the difference between Manufacturing Leader vs Manufacturing Supervisor?

AspectManufacturing LeaderManufacturing Supervisor
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple production teams, develops strategies, and ensures overall manufacturing goals are met.Manages daily operations of a specific production line or team, focusing on task execution and team supervision.
Required CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in engineering, manufacturing, or related fields; leadership experience.Often requires a high school diploma or associate degree; experience in manufacturing environments.
Work EnvironmentStrategic, cross-team coordination, higher-level planning.Hands-on supervision, direct team management, shift-based work.
Industry UsageCommonly used in manufacturing companies for leadership roles.Used across manufacturing plants for frontline management.

The Manufacturing Leader focuses on strategic oversight and cross-team coordination, while the Manufacturing Supervisor handles daily team management and operational tasks. Both roles are essential in manufacturing, but they differ in scope, responsibilities, and required credentials.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

A manufacturing leader can earn $10,000 or more per month through experience and strong leadership skills, often without requiring a college degree. High-level supervisory roles in manufacturing plants, especially in specialized industries or with overtime and bonuses, can reach this income level. Developing expertise in operations, safety, and process improvement can help achieve such earnings.

What is the highest paying job in manufacturing?

The highest paying roles in manufacturing often include plant managers, engineering directors, and chief operations officers, with salaries exceeding $150,000 annually. These positions typically require extensive experience, advanced technical skills, and leadership abilities, often supported by relevant certifications and a strong understanding of production processes and safety standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Manufacturing Leader, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Manufacturing Leader, you need a strong background in production processes, lean manufacturing principles, and operational management, often supported by a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with ERP systems, Six Sigma or Lean certifications, and manufacturing automation tools is typically required. Outstanding leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills help motivate teams and drive continuous improvement. These competencies are essential for ensuring efficient operations, product quality, and a safe, productive work environment.

What does a manufacturing leader do?

A manufacturing leader oversees production operations, manages staff, ensures safety and quality standards, and implements process improvements. They coordinate with teams, monitor performance metrics, and use tools like ERP systems to meet production goals efficiently.
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$80K - $90K/hr

Full-time

Posted yesterday


Job description

The Manufacturing Excellence Leader leads, deploys, and sustains Manufacturing Excellence (ME) at the site level in alignment with the TMS Management System, driving a strong culture of Operational Excellence. As a key member of the Site Leadership Team, this role is the primary driver of Lean-based continuous improvement across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and engagement. The role translates enterprise and site strategies into actionable improvement priorities, builds local Lean and problem-solving capability, and delivers measurable, sustainable results. The Manufacturing Excellence Leader works closely with the global Operational Excellence team to maintain alignment, share best practices, and implement new Lean concepts, while owning endtoend execution at the facility as both a hands-on practitioner and coach to leaders and teams.

  • Identify, prioritize and facilitate improvement initiatives that deliver measureable improvements in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and Engagement.
  • Facilitate and/or coach Kaizen events, value stream mapping, problem solving efforrts to identify and eliminate waste and improve process capability.
  • Work across sites to support critical improvement initiatives as needed.
  • Serve as a coach and change leader, reinfrorcing Lean thinking, accountability, and  continuous improvement behaviors at all levels of the site.
  • Challenge traditional thinking and remove barriers that prevent sustainable improvement.
  • Build internal capability by training and developing leaders, project owners, and process champions in Lean principles, structured problem solving and Lean tools.
  • Act as ambassador for site Daily Management/Performance Dailogue systems.
  • Partner with site leadership to translate business strategy into clear improvement priorities and measurable objectives.
  • Support departments in defining leading and lagging indicators, aligning local metrics to enterprise KPIs.
  • Ensure improvement activity and results are tracked, communicated, and sustained.
  • Assist departments in determining relevant ME metrics for their area that align with corporate metrics & goals.
  • Assist departments in planning improvement projects for their area that align to the corporate ME metrics & goals.
  • Assist departments in establishing and maintaining a system to capture, prioritize, and implement improvement ideas.
  • Support and build a structured problem solving based culture utilizing PDCA, A3, root cause analysis, and data-based decision making.
  • Collect, curate, and utilize data to improve the ME program.
  • Ensure learning from improvement efforts is standardized and shared across the site.
  • Act as the site liaison to the global TMS ME organization, ensuring alignment with standards, tools, and expectations.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Finance, Supply Chain, IT and EHS to enable improvement success.
  • Ensure Manufacturing Excellence practices support compliance with applicable regulatory and quality system requirements (ISO 9001 / ISO 13485).