Area Manager

Win at Wilsonart At Wilsonart, we don’t just make surfaces—we build careers. When you join our team, you become part of something bigger: a company driven by innovation, grounded in values, and powered by people who care. You’ll be surrounded by teammates who take pride in their work and look out for one another. You’ll have the chance to learn, grow and make a real impact. And you’ll be part of a company that believes winning means helping you succeed at work and in life. Here, you’ll win with: Support that keeps you well Medical, dental, and life insurance Company-paid short- and long-term disability FSAs and dependent care options Vision and legal benefits Gym discounts and wellness clinics Tuition reimbursement—for you and your dependents Opportunities to grow Clear paths to promotion and internal mobility Training, coaching, and mentorship Development programs to support your goals Time for what matters Paid vacation and holidays in your first year A culture that respects work-life balance Job Description: JOB SUMMARY: The Area Manager – Production is responsible for leading all manufacturing operations across the facility, including Casting and Fabrication. This role provides both strategic and day-to-day leadership to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective execution of production reliability. As a key member of the Operations Leadership Team, this position drives performance in safety, quality, delivery and cost. The Area Manager leads supervisors and frontline teams while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Operational Leadership Lead all production departments to achieve plant and business unit goals Establish and drive performance metrics across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and equipment reliability Oversee daily operations using data, KPIs, and visual management systems Coordinate priorities and resources across departments to optimize plant-wide performance Serve as the primary point of contact for production operations Reliability Drive equipment uptime, reliability, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) Partner with EHS to ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental, and safety regulations Evaluate equipment performance and support capital improvement and replacement initiatives Conduct feasibility and cost-benefit analyses for new equipment, upgrades, and modifications Manage budgets, forecasts, and capital expenditures Continuous Improvement & Strategy Lead continuous improvement by implementing Wilsonart Operating System, utilizing 5S, Lean, Six Sigma, and 80/20 principles Drive process improvements across production functions Partner with technical teams to develop and improve SOPs and operational standards Support automation and modernization initiatives Safety, Quality & Compliance Champion a strong safety culture across production teams Ensure compliance with OSHA standards, ISO requirements, and internal policies Lead safety training, audits, and monthly safety meetings Ensure adherence to quality systems and continuous improvement of product consistency Financial & Business Performance Own and manage operational cost drivers Develop and execute cost reduction initiatives across labor, materials, and spend Align operational decisions with business strategy and financial objectives Monitor departmental budgets and ensure efficient resource utilization People Leadership & Development Lead, coach, and develop production supervisors, leads and frontline teams Build a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement Develop team capabilities through training, mentorship, and succession planning Review and approve performance evaluations and support goal-setting Foster strong communication, trust, respect and collaboration across teams Communication & Collaboration Communicate priorities, performance, and expectations clearly across all levels Partner cross-functionally to resolve operational challenges Support employee engagement and positive employee relations across departments KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Strong leadership skills with the ability to drive results through both production teams Deep understanding of manufacturing operations Working knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies Strong technical knowledge of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, PLC, and CNC systems Knowledge of OSHA, ISO, and environmental compliance standards Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment Strong communication and interpersonal skills across all levels Proven ability to lead change and drive operational transformation Strong business acumen with focus on cost, efficiency, and performance MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: EDUCATION: Bachelor Degree Required Concentration in Engineering, Business or related field EXPERIENCE: 10+ years Manufacturing Environment WORKING CONDITIONS: Sitting in the same location of standing/walking; required to stoop, climb or lift light material (10-20lbs) or equipment. ENVIRONMENT: Manufacturing environment with exposure to noise, temperature variations, fumes, and industrial equipment We’re looking for people who are ready to learn, ready to lead and ready to make a difference. If that sounds like you, you can win at Wilsonart. Wilsonart is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, order of protection status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local law.