Production Manager

At Lavelle we believe in continued learning, visible problem solving and helping our employees grow. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, including an on-site FREE health clinic, casual attire and/or uniforms, and paid vacation and holidays.
Did we mention our aim is to "Stay in business forever and have fun!"

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

An industry leader since 1912, Lavelle Industries has a unique opportunity for a Production Manager for our Burlington, WI facility. The Production Manager is a highly visible position in the organization that leads a 3-shift manufacturing operation across multiple departments, with responsibility for safety, quality, delivery, and cost (SQDC). This role provides leadership to shift supervisors and oversees operational performance, continuous improvement, and workforce development.

The successful candidate will be experienced in manufacturing supervision and will also have prior experience in project leadership. They will demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, high emotional intelligence, the ability to work cross-functionally, a strong safety focus, experience with Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and commitment to standard work.

• Ensure OSHA compliance, lead incident investigations and CAPAs, conduct layered audits and Gemba safety checks, and foster a proactive “stop-the-line” safety culture.
• Maintain compliance with the quality management system, oversee defect containment and CAPAs, reduce variation, and ensure standardized work and process control.
• Drive daily, weekly, and monthly SQDC performance using Tiered Daily Management, Gemba walks, real-time dashboards, and disciplined data review.
• Ensure cross-shift alignment, production stability, and data integrity.
• Lead CI initiatives using Lean tools, coach structured problem solving, eliminate waste, and drive OEE improvements.
• Develop supervisors and future leaders through coaching, performance management, training systems, and succession planning, fostering accountability and psychological safety.
• Partner cross-functionally to remove flow barriers, support SIOP execution, and align resources to meet demand.
• Lead operational improvement and capital projects, manage labor and equipment resources, and communicate progress, risks, and KPI performance.
• Clearly communicate expectations and performance, leverage data for root cause analysis, and ensure consistent execution and accountability.

• 5+ years of leadership in manufacturing (rubber or molding experience preferred)
• Strong Lean/CI background with demonstrated project results
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office and business systems (MES/ERP)
• Experience leading in 24/7 multi-shift operations
• Proven ability to select and develop frontline leadership talent
• Experience driving OEE and labor efficiency improvements
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field (preferred)
• Experience in a union environment (preferred)