Manager, Manufacturing

Graco manufactures and markets premium equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray a wide variety of fluid and powder materials. What does that mean? Well, we pump peanut butter into your jar, and the oil in your car. We glue the soles of your shoes, the glass in your windows and the screen on your phone. We spray the finish on your vehicle, coatings on your pills, the paint on your house and texture on your walls. Graco is part of your daily life.

As Manufacturing Manager, you are part of a team committed to deliver the highest quality products and services in the industry. The Manufacturing Manager is focused on managing all areas of operations while applying world class manufacturing techniques in the pursuit of continuous improvement for safety, process, quality, service, products and environment. The selected individual will be responsible for leading a team of 30-60 direct and indirect reports including a team of engineers, supply chain specialists, CNC machinists and assemblers.

What You Will Do at Graco

Cultural and Employee Performance Leader:

• Manage a large team (typically 30-60 direct and indirect reports)

• Actively engage in hands-on tasks on the production floor to stay connected with the team and operations.

• Recognize and celebrate individual and team achievements to reinforce a culture of success.

• Set and communicate expectations for employees; monitor performance, give feedback when appropriate, and take corrective action when necessary.

• Identify and fill skill gaps by providing on-the-job training and establishing training programs.

• Develop cell goals and work with support teams to create annual budgets that align with the division

• Establishing Budgets: Work with finance and relevant stakeholders to establish an annual budget for the manufacturing cell, monitor performance to plan and take corrective action.

Safety Champion:

• Provide a clean, safe, organized working environment within the cell that is conducive to efficient and productive operations.

• Lead by example in adhering to safety protocols, quality standards, and efficiency practices.

• Oversee safety vision and improvement goal of 10% by factory to drive towards an injury free environment.

• Leverage technology, simplification tools and automation to advance safety practices, prevent injuries and enhance employee wellness.

• Increase employee engagement by reviewing continuous improvement ideas submitted by employees.

Continuous Improvement Champion

• Become a champion of change, continuously improving and implementing ways to exceed department goals.

• Utilize quality management techniques for problem solving, corrective action and process decisions.

• Manage production, capacity, inventories, purchases, and create headcount within the cell

• Manage the development and implementation of new product launches  

• Research, justify, procure and implement new technology through Graco’s capital justification process to maximize cell profitability.

• Identify the most critical tasks affecting customer experience and focus resources on optimizing these processes.

• Regularly analyze and refine workflows to eliminate non-essential activities and use data analytics to identify areas for improvement.

Quality Focus

• Achieving a year-over-year (Y/Y) 10% quality improvement goal with the aim of improving product quality 

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement where employees are encouraged to suggest and implement quality enhancements.

Team Leadership and Financial Management 

• Lead, mentor, manage, and staff a Manufacturing team, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and promoting a culture of excellence. 

• Drive team performance by setting clear goals, providing ongoing feedback, and facilitating professional growth opportunities. 

• Establish, manage, and be accountable for the annual Manufacturing budget, ensuring effective allocation of resources and alignment with organizational strategic objectives. 

What You Will Bring to Graco

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Operations, Engineering, or equivalent; MBA or Master's degree preferred

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing or advanced degree, and 2 years business experience

• Excellent leadership skills; 2+ years of team leadership experience preferred. 

• Knowledge or experience with manufacturing information systems (forec