Production Supervisor
Windings, Inc.
New Ulm, MN 
Salary Range: $62,000 - $82,000 annual DOQ

Windings Inc. is a 100% employee-owned company where every team member shares in our success. Since becoming an ESOP in 1998, we've proudly supported critical industries like Aerospace, Defense, Automotive, and Medical. Our unique ESOP benefits can contribute 10-12% of your annual earnings to your retirement—at no cost to you—helping your savings grow through compound interest.

For over 60 years, Windings has provided critical custom motors and components for the harshest applications, including outer space, military, downhole drilling, and motor sports to name a few. If you like to take on the “tough stuff”, join us and be part of a forward-thinking, people-focused company driven by our purpose: " Making our Customer’s Critical Mission Possible."

We are looking for a Production Supervisor for our New Ulm location. This position is full-time on-site.

The Production Supervisor is a frontline operational leader responsible for daily execution, labor management, and workforce leadership.

This role serves as the single point of accountability for safety, quality, delivery, and employee performance on the shop floor. The Production Supervisor balances real-time decision-making, people leadership, and process discipline to ensure production commitments are met while maintaining a safe, engaged, and accountable workforce.

What you will be responsible for:

Safety & Compliance

• Enforce all safety policies and safe work practices; actively identify and correct unsafe conditions or behaviors.
• Lead by example to promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all company, regulatory, and ITAR/EAR requirements.

Daily Production Execution

• Own daily production execution, including staffing, prioritization, and labor reallocation across multiple work cells.
• Execute the production schedule while responding to real-time disruptions common to a high-mix environment.
• Ensure stable output and adherence to takt, throughput, and quality expectations in the high-volume cell.
• Allocate resources to minimize downtime and ensure on-time completion of scheduled work.

Workforce Leadership & Accountability

• Provide direct supervision to approximately 25 hourly production employees.
• Set clear expectations for performance, attendance, conduct, and quality.
• Address performance issues promptly and consistently, including corrective action when required.
• Approve timecards and manage employee time-off requests to ensure production coverage.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and feedback.
• Foster a culture of accountability, respect, and continuous improvement.

Labor & Capacity Management

• Balance labor daily based on demand, skills, and priorities.
• Identify skill gaps and work with management to support cross-training and workforce flexibility.
• Monitor labor efficiency and escalate capacity constraints proactively.

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure adherence to standard work, SOPs, and best practices.
• Support quality objectives including corrective actions, non-conformances, root cause analysis, and 5S initiatives.
• Monitor production quality and take immediate corrective action when standards are not met.
• Identify recurring issues and escalate systemic problems for resolution.

Communication & Coordination

• Serve as the primary communication link between production employees and management.
• Lead daily shift communication and ensure smooth handoffs.
• Maintain open, transparent communication with Operations, Quality, Engineering, and HR.
• Keep employees informed of changes to processes, equipment, materials, and priorities.

Inventory & Materials Support

• Ensure availability of production supplies and materials to support scheduled work.
• Coordinate replenishment and escalate shortages or risks to production flow.

What you need:

Required Qualifications

• Prior supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead 15+ direct reports; experience with 25 or more preferred.
• Strong decision-making skills in dynamic, high-variability environments.
• Proven ability to manage performance, attendance, and accountability directly.
• Willingness to support weekend operations and extended hours as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in high-mix, low-volume manufacturing.
• Exposure to lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement
• Six Sigma Green Belt
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and production reporting tools.

EDUCATION

• Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Alternatively, 5+ years of supervisory experience in a production or manufacturing environment.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written).
• Ability to lead through presence, consistency, and action.
• Effective problem-solving and prioritization skills.
• Ability to make sound decisions with incomplete information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) and production tracking systems.
• Positive, constructive leadership style with a focus on employee development.

 What you will get...

• An awesome employee-ownership culture
• Full benefits package (medical, dental, vision, disability, life and more)
• Paid time off
• 401k match and ESOP contributions
• Flexible work environment
• Education reimbursement

Salary Description:

$62,000 - $82,000 annual DOQ

We are committed to providing pay ranges for all open positions. Please note that the specific compensation for this role will be determined based on your experience, qualifications, location, and internal equity considerations. The listed pay range is provided in good faith and is subject to adjustments in accordance with company policies and market conditions.

This position is eligible to participate in a performance-based bonus program based on company performance goals. Bonus payouts are not guaranteed and are determined at the company's discretion.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel; frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. Specific vision ability by this job includes close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Other Requirements:

Because employees in this position must handle information covered by the International Trade and Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or Export Administration Regulations (EAR), successful applicants will be: (1) required to verify their identity and their status as a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or person granted refugee or asylee status (or equivalent) in the U.S.; OR (2) undergo additional steps, including but not limited to licensure from the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and/or the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) at the U.S. Department of Commerce. 

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Windings is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability or protected Veteran status. We are committed to providing a workplace free of any discrimination or harassment.

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