Manufacturing Team Lead

Washington Mills; Town of Sun Prairie (WI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington Mills in Sun Prairie, WI seeks a Team Lead – Manufacturing to oversee day-to-day extrusion operations and drive safety, quality, and productivity. You will lead by example, train operators, coordinate shift activities, and collaborate with maintenance to solve equipment issues while upholding company values and continuous improvement initiatives.

This hands-on leadership role emphasizes developing a high-performing team in a fast-paced environment with a strong focus on safety,

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Prior team-lead or similar manufacturing leadership experience.
• Operational knowledge of extrusion equipment and processes.
• Proven training, safety compliance, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication and leadership by example.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations of assigned production lines, ensuring output and quality.
• Be the first point of contact for operators during shifts to address issues quickly.
• Monitor workflow and coordinate activities to meet production targets.
• Ensure all operators are trained on extruder operation and cross-train for coverage.
• Follow safety policies and ensure PPE use.
• 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.
• Communicate with the Production Manager on progress, issues, and ideas for improvement.
• Support continuous improvement and identify opportunities to enhance productivity.

Skills

Leadership

Team training

Safety awareness

Communication

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Extrusion equipment knowledge

Job description

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

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.

Washington Mills is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, military or veteran status, religion, creed, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition as defined by applicable law, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. We do not tolerate unlawful discrimination in any employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, compensation, promotion, benefits, discipline, termination, job assignments or training.