Position: Manufacturing Manager
Location: Libertyville, IL
Job Brief - We are seeking a highly skilled, data-driven Manufacturing Manager to lead our production operations at Culligan International's Libertyville, IL facility. In this role, you will oversee the end-to-end assembly, testing, and packaging of our industry-leading water treatment and filtration systems.
As a key operational leader, you will partner closely with Planning, Procurement, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, and Maintenance to optimize resources, execute short-term production schedules, and drive a culture of safety and continuous improvement. This is a highly visible role on our shop floor, requiring a hands-on leader who can translate operational data into daily performance.
Key Responsibilities
Daily Operations & Production Execution
- Manage Workflows: Direct daily assembly and production operations to meet 1-2 week build schedules, balancing employee productivity with total build output.
- Resource Optimization: Align labor, machinery, and materials to meet delivery targets while managing operational budgets and minimizing waste.
- Cross-Functional Alignment: Partner with Planning, Supply Chain, and Procurement to align weekly production schedules with inventory requirements and customer demand.
Continuous Improvement & Quality Assurance
- Promote Quality Standards: Collaborate closely with the Quality department to ensure all finished systems meet Culligans strict engineering and performance specifications.
- Drive Lean Initiatives: Apply Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies to reduce waste, eliminate bottlenecks, and improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
- Leverage Digital Tools: Utilize ERP, MRP, and MES systems to monitor workflows; build and analyze performance dashboards using Excel and PowerBI to report on productivity, capacity, and variances.
Leadership, Safety, & Talent Development
- Lead the Team: Hire, train, and supervise production workers and supervisors, fostering a collaborative, high-performing, and inclusive team culture.
- Enforce Safety Standards: Champion a proactive safety culture, ensuring complete compliance with OSHA and local health and safety regulations.
- Resolve Obstacles: Actively resolve scheduling conflicts, resource constraints, and team disputes to keep production moving smoothly.
Requirements & Qualifications
- Experience: 5+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience within a regulated, assembly-oriented, or high-volume environment (e.g., CPG, medical device, electronics, water technology, or similar).
- Leadership Span: 5+ years of direct experience managing production supervisors, team leads, or multi-department operations.
- Technical & Analytical Skills: Proven ability to build and interpret reports using Excel and PowerBI; hands-on experience utilizing ERP/MRP systems (such as SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics).
- Education: BSc degree in Engineering, Business Management, Operations, or a related technical field.
- On-site Commitment: This is a fully on-site role at our Libertyville, IL facility. The operational schedule requires a daily start time of 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM to ensure effective shift hand-offs and early-morning production alignment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience managing multi-shift operations supporting 100+ shop floor employees.
- Lean Manufacturing certification (Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt).
- Experience leading digital transformations, such as deploying new MES, WMS, or automated assembly lines.
- Experience with SAP ERP system
Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies in this position: Integrity, Resourcefulness, Customer Focus, Team Player, Adaptability, Excellence
We offer competitive compensation including base & benefits including: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, 401(k), Paid time off, Additional voluntary benefits