Manufacturing Operations Manager Jobs in Wisconsin
Manufacturing Operations Manager jobs in Wisconsin are consistently in demand, with strong hiring concentrated in food and beverage processing, industrial machinery, plastics, and paper and packaging manufacturing. Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Madison are the largest hiring metros, with established employers like Kohler, Oshkosh Corporation, and SC Johnson maintaining long-term operations manager needs. The most sought-after specialties in Wisconsin are lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and multi-shift production oversight. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 16+ Manufacturing Operations Manager jobs
Lead Strategy. Drive Performance. Shape the Future.
KSP Group, Inc/Jensen Metal Products is seeking a hands-on manufacturing leader to drive operational excellence, strengthen accountability, improve execution, and build scalable operating systems across our manufacturing businesses. This is not a corporate executive role designed to lead from a conference room.
We are looking for a proven change agent who is equally comfortable reviewing financial results, leading daily operational reviews, solving production challenges on the shop floor, and developing frontline leaders.
This is a multi-site position, initially focused on Jensen Metal Products and Jensen Powder Finishers. The successful candidate will build the structure, discipline, and performance culture needed to support long-term growth across KSP Group.
The ideal candidate brings deep experience in fabrication and manufacturing environments, a strong operational and financial mindset, and a proven ability to lead teams through growth and transformation.
About KSP Group
KSP Group is a family-owned organization with a diverse portfolio of manufacturing and consumer product companies
- Jensen Metal Products – Custom metal fabrication, welding, machining, laser cutting, engineering and contract manufacturing solutions (Racine, WI)
- Jensen Powder Finishers – Advanced powder coating and finishing services (Sturtevant, WI)
- Jensen Castings – Manufacturer of premium GFRC concrete fire features (Richland Center, WI)
- Real Flame – A leading designer and manufacturer of fireplaces, fire tables, and outdoor living products sold through major retailers across North America (Union Grove, WI)
Together, our companies are built on innovation, craftsmanship, customer partnerships, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Here, you'll have the opportunity to make a visible impact, influence company strategy, and help shape the future of multiple growing businesses.
What You'll Do
Executive Strategic & Business Leadership
- Lead the development and execution of operational strategies that support long-term business objectives and growth initiatives
- Partner with executive leadership to establish priorities, allocate resources, and drive enterprise-wide operational improvements
- Lead plant leadership teams in defining strategic direction, performance goals, and key operational initiatives
- Identify opportunities for automation, process optimization, capacity expansion, and operational scalability
Financial & Operational Performance
- Own operational performance and P&L results across assigned manufacturing operations
- Develop departmental budgets, monitor spending, and ensure responsible management of operational resources
- Analyze manufacturing costs, labor efficiency, productivity metrics, and operating expenses to drive profitability
- Report on operational performance and improvement initiatives to executive leadership
Manufacturing Operations & Continuous Improvement
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives across fabrication, welding, machining, powder coating, assembly, engineering, and support functions
- Drive Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 5S, root cause problem solving, and waste reduction efforts
- Improve throughput, quality, safety, delivery performance, and overall operational efficiency
- Lead cross-functional projects focused on sustainable operational gains and measurable business results
Leadership & Culture
- Build, coach, and develop high-performing operational leadership teams
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement
- Promote employee engagement while creating a safe, quality-focused work environment
What We're Looking For
- Demonstrated success leading directly from the manufacturing floor, including personal involvement in:
- Production planning and scheduling
- Labor performance management
- Quality improvement initiatives
- Corrective action processes
- Maintenance and equipment planning
- Capital investment justification
- Safety and operational accountability
- Frontline leadership development
- Proven track record of transforming entrepreneurial manufacturing organizations into process-driven, scalable operations through both strategic leadership and active engagement with frontline teams
- Ability to establish accountability without creating unnecessary bureaucracy
- Strong understanding of fabrication, welding, machining, finishing, assembly, materials management, and manufacturing cost drivers
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, or related field, preferred
- Multi-site manufacturing leadership experience
- Lean Six Sigma certification
- Experience within both contract manufacturing and consumer products environments
- ERP/MRP system experience
Travel Requirements
- Regular travel between KSP Group facilities, including Jensen Metal Products, Jensen Powder Finishers, Jensen Castings, and Real Flame locations
- Frequent presence on manufacturing floors to support leadership teams, operational reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives
- Approximately 25-50% travel, primarily within Wisconsin and company operating locations
- Occasional overnight travel for customer visits, supplier meetings, strategic initiatives, and industry events
About Us
Jensen Metal Products is a metal fabrication business with over 100 years of experience serving the Midwest and surrounding regions with custom, quality sheet metal parts and assemblies. With a broad range of manufacturing capabilities, we produce a diverse portfolio of products, including our own line of fireplaces, which has been in production since 1970. We serve many types of businesses including the agricultural, retail, energy and healthcare fields. From engineering to packaging, our goal is to be a one-stop shop that exceeds our customers’ expectations for quality, delivery, great customer service and cost. At Jensen Metal Products we pride ourselves on having strong, long-lasting relationships with our employees and customers. We welcome you to join our team!
Benefits
- Competitive base salary plus profit sharing
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with multiple plan options (HDHP and copay), FSA benefits, and the ability to use your existing HSA
- Company-funded medical deductible reimbursement — up to $1,000 (individual) / $2,000 (family)
- 401(k) with company match up to 4%
- Life and disability insurance and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Paid time off and company holidays
- Annual Safety PPE Reimbursement
- A collaborative, team-oriented environment with direct access to leadership and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a growing organization
- Company-sponsored team events and outings that foster connection and celebrate team success
Work Authorization
Jensen Metal Products does not sponsor employment visas now or in the future. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.
Recruiting Agencies
Jensen Metal Products does not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies, recruiting firms, or search agencies. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to Jensen Metal Products employees or through our application process will become the property of Jensen Metal Products, and no fee will be paid if the candidate is hired.
Lead Strategy. Drive Performance. Shape the Future.
KSP Group, Inc/Jensen Metal Products is seeking a hands-on manufacturing leader to drive operational excellence, strengthen accountability, improve execution, and build scalable operating systems across our manufacturing businesses. This is not a corporate executive role designed to lead from a conference room.
We are looking for a proven change agent who is equally comfortable reviewing financial results, leading daily operational reviews, solving production challenges on the shop floor, and developing frontline leaders.
This is a multi-site position, initially focused on Jensen Metal Products and Jensen Powder Finishers. The successful candidate will build the structure, discipline, and performance culture needed to support long-term growth across KSP Group.
The ideal candidate brings deep experience in fabrication and manufacturing environments, a strong operational and financial mindset, and a proven ability to lead teams through growth and transformation.
About KSP Group
KSP Group is a family-owned organization with a diverse portfolio of manufacturing and consumer product companies
- Jensen Metal Products – Custom metal fabrication, welding, machining, laser cutting, engineering and contract manufacturing solutions (Racine, WI)
- Jensen Powder Finishers – Advanced powder coating and finishing services (Sturtevant, WI)
- Jensen Castings – Manufacturer of premium GFRC concrete fire features (Richland Center, WI)
- Real Flame – A leading designer and manufacturer of fireplaces, fire tables, and outdoor living products sold through major retailers across North America (Union Grove, WI)
Together, our companies are built on innovation, craftsmanship, customer partnerships, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Here, you'll have the opportunity to make a visible impact, influence company strategy, and help shape the future of multiple growing businesses.
What You'll Do
Executive Strategic & Business Leadership
- Lead the development and execution of operational strategies that support long-term business objectives and growth initiatives
- Partner with executive leadership to establish priorities, allocate resources, and drive enterprise-wide operational improvements
- Lead plant leadership teams in defining strategic direction, performance goals, and key operational initiatives
- Identify opportunities for automation, process optimization, capacity expansion, and operational scalability
Financial & Operational Performance
- Own operational performance and P&L results across assigned manufacturing operations
- Develop departmental budgets, monitor spending, and ensure responsible management of operational resources
- Analyze manufacturing costs, labor efficiency, productivity metrics, and operating expenses to drive profitability
- Report on operational performance and improvement initiatives to executive leadership
Manufacturing Operations & Continuous Improvement
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives across fabrication, welding, machining, powder coating, assembly, engineering, and support functions
- Drive Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 5S, root cause problem solving, and waste reduction efforts
- Improve throughput, quality, safety, delivery performance, and overall operational efficiency
- Lead cross-functional projects focused on sustainable operational gains and measurable business results
Leadership & Culture
- Build, coach, and develop high-performing operational leadership teams
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement
- Promote employee engagement while creating a safe, quality-focused work environment
What We're Looking For
- Demonstrated success leading directly from the manufacturing floor, including personal involvement in:
- Production planning and scheduling
- Labor performance management
- Quality improvement initiatives
- Corrective action processes
- Maintenance and equipment planning
- Capital investment justification
- Safety and operational accountability
- Frontline leadership development
- Proven track record of transforming entrepreneurial manufacturing organizations into process-driven, scalable operations through both strategic leadership and active engagement with frontline teams
- Ability to establish accountability without creating unnecessary bureaucracy
- Strong understanding of fabrication, welding, machining, finishing, assembly, materials management, and manufacturing cost drivers
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, or related field, preferred
- Multi-site manufacturing leadership experience
- Lean Six Sigma certification
- Experience within both contract manufacturing and consumer products environments
- ERP/MRP system experience
Travel Requirements
- Regular travel between KSP Group facilities, including Jensen Metal Products, Jensen Powder Finishers, Jensen Castings, and Real Flame locations
- Frequent presence on manufacturing floors to support leadership teams, operational reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives
- Approximately 25-50% travel, primarily within Wisconsin and company operating locations
- Occasional overnight travel for customer visits, supplier meetings, strategic initiatives, and industry events
About Us
Jensen Metal Products is a metal fabrication business with over 100 years of experience serving the Midwest and surrounding regions with custom, quality sheet metal parts and assemblies. With a broad range of manufacturing capabilities, we produce a diverse portfolio of products, including our own line of fireplaces, which has been in production since 1970. We serve many types of businesses including the agricultural, retail, energy and healthcare fields. From engineering to packaging, our goal is to be a one-stop shop that exceeds our customers’ expectations for quality, delivery, great customer service and cost. At Jensen Metal Products we pride ourselves on having strong, long-lasting relationships with our employees and customers. We welcome you to join our team!
Benefits
- Competitive base salary plus profit sharing
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with multiple plan options (HDHP and copay), FSA benefits, and the ability to use your existing HSA
- Company-funded medical deductible reimbursement — up to $1,000 (individual) / $2,000 (family)
- 401(k) with company match up to 4%
- Life and disability insurance and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Paid time off and company holidays
- Annual Safety PPE Reimbursement
- A collaborative, team-oriented environment with direct access to leadership and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a growing organization
- Company-sponsored team events and outings that foster connection and celebrate team success
Work Authorization
Jensen Metal Products does not sponsor employment visas now or in the future. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.
Recruiting Agencies
Jensen Metal Products does not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies, recruiting firms, or search agencies. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to Jensen Metal Products employees or through our application process will become the property of Jensen Metal Products, and no fee will be paid if the candidate is hired.
See All 16 Manufacturing Operations Manager Jobs in Wisconsin
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Find JobsManufacturing Operations Manager Jobs by City in Wisconsin
Where Wisconsin roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Manufacturing Operations Manager Job Market in Wisconsin
A snapshot from current Wisconsin openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Wisconsin Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in manufacturing operations manager jobs across Wisconsin.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations management, manufacturing, or a related field
- Five or more years of progressive manufacturing leadership or supervisory experience
- Demonstrated knowledge of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies
- Experience managing production schedules, quality systems, and cross-functional plant teams
- Proficiency with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or equivalent manufacturing platforms
- Strong record of meeting safety compliance standards including OSHA regulations and plant safety protocols
Manufacturing Operations Manager Jobs in Wisconsin: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a manufacturing operations manager in Wisconsin?
Most Wisconsin manufacturing operations managers start with a bachelor's degree in engineering, supply chain, or business and build several years of experience in production or supervisory roles. The state does not require a government-issued license for this role, but employers consistently value credentials such as a Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt, a Certified Manager of Quality certification from ASQ, or a CPIM designation from APICS. Building plant-floor experience at Wisconsin's many mid-size manufacturers is the most direct path.
Which companies hire manufacturing operations managers in Wisconsin?
Employers hiring manufacturing operations managers in Wisconsin right now include Plexus, MasterMold, and KI, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Wisconsin's deep base of food processing, industrial equipment, and plastics manufacturers means demand is spread across both large multinationals and family-owned regional plants.
Which Wisconsin cities have the most manufacturing operations manager jobs?
The cities with the most manufacturing operations manager openings in Wisconsin are Neenah, Milwaukee, and Johnson Creek. Milwaukee dominates due to its dense cluster of industrial machinery, metal fabrication, and consumer goods manufacturers, while Green Bay is driven by paper, packaging, and food processing companies, and Madison reflects growth in medical device and technology-adjacent manufacturing.
Are there remote manufacturing operations manager jobs in Wisconsin?
Yes, but they're rare. Manufacturing operations managers are fundamentally plant-floor roles that require direct oversight of production lines, equipment, and shift teams, so fully remote positions are uncommon. About 100% of manufacturing operations manager openings tied to Wisconsin are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to cover multi-site or corporate continuous improvement roles rather than single-plant positions.
How can I get hired as a manufacturing operations manager in Wisconsin with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a production supervisor or shift leader role at a Wisconsin manufacturer and building upward from there. Large Wisconsin employers like Oshkosh Corporation, Harley-Davidson, and Generac run structured leadership development programs that bring in candidates from engineering, quality, or supply chain backgrounds. A Lean Six Sigma Yellow or Green Belt credential significantly strengthens early applications, and many Wisconsin technical colleges offer manufacturing management certificates that align with what regional employers look for.
Where can I find and apply to manufacturing operations manager jobs in Wisconsin?
You can find and apply to manufacturing operations manager jobs in Wisconsin on Migrate Mate, which lists current Wisconsin openings updated in real time. Search the listings, find the roles that match your background and target location, and apply directly to whichever ones fit.
See All 16 Manufacturing Operations Manager Jobs in Wisconsin
Find roles in Wisconsin that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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