About Woodland Power Products
Woodland Power Products is the manufacturer of the Cyclone Rake — the premium leaf and lawn vacuum system trusted by homeowners across the United States for over 30 years. We design, build, and ship our products from our facility in West Haven, Connecticut, selling direct-to-consumer with a fiercely loyal customer base. We are a cloud-based, technology-forward small manufacturer that runs lean, invests in our people, and uses modern tools — including AI — to make better decisions faster.
The role
The Associate Manufacturing Manager is a hands-on working leader who owns the day-to-day execution of our production floor. You will run daily staffing, scheduling, and workflow across assembly, fabrication, and packaging — keeping the team on plan, on time, and on quality. You will partner closely with the Director of Operations on strategy, capacity planning, and continuous improvement, and you will be the floor's go-to leader for problem solving, coaching, and accountability.
This is not a desk job. You are on the floor, with the team. A lean production crew (8–10 in the slow season, scaling up to ~15 during peak), a tight peak season (August–November), and a product line our customers love. If you are an experienced floor leader who wants real ownership in a small-manufacturer environment without the politics of a corporate plant, this is the role.
What you'll do
- Run the daily production schedule across assembly, fabrication, and packaging to hit shipping commitments.
- Lead daily production huddles; communicate priorities, performance, and changes clearly to the team.
- Manage daily staffing and labor allocation; make real-time coverage decisions when people are out or demand shifts.
- Track and report on key performance indicators including on-time delivery, units per labor hour, scrap and rework, first-pass yield, and attendance.
- Own product quality on the floor — enforce inspection standards, manage non-conforming material, and lead root-cause analysis on internal defects.
- Drive continuous improvement using Lean tools (5S, standard work, Kaizen) to increase throughput and reduce waste.
- Establish, maintain, and continuously improve standard work, work instructions, and routings.
- Coach, develop, and hold the production team accountable; conduct performance feedback and administer corrective action when needed.
- Build and maintain cross-training plans and skills matrices to keep the team flexible.
- Partner with Purchasing on material flow, work-in-process levels, and shortage resolution.
- Partner with Engineering on new product introductions, ECOs, and design-for-manufacturability.
- Champion floor safety — OSHA compliance, regular safety audits, incident investigation.
- Oversee preventive maintenance and routine equipment care; manage minor repairs internally and coordinate vendors for major work.
- Use AI and other digital tools to support planning, analysis, and communication.
What we're looking for
- 5+ years of progressive manufacturing experience in a discrete or light-assembly environment.
- 2+ years of direct supervisory experience leading a production team.
- Demonstrated ability to plan and execute a daily production schedule and hit shipping commitments.
- Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles (5S, standard work, continuous improvement).
- Strong people leadership — comfortable coaching, holding accountability, and having hard conversations.
- Solid command of Microsoft 365 (Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams) and comfort with ERP/MRP systems.
- Willingness and curiosity to use AI tools and modern cloud-based software in daily work.
- Excellent verbal and written communication.
- High school diploma or equivalent required; associate's or bachelor's degree preferred.
Nice to have
- Lean and/or Six Sigma certification.
- Experience in outdoor power equipment, consumer durables, or seasonal manufacturing.
- Prior experience as a working/floor supervisor in a small-to-mid manufacturer — you'll be comfortable with the lean, hands-on environment.
Physical requirements
- Regularly stand, walk, talk, hear, and use hands to handle tools, parts, and equipment.
- Frequently reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; occasionally climb or balance.
- Occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
- Work is performed primarily on the manufacturing floor and adjoining office. Moving mechanical parts, varying temperatures, moderate-to-loud noise. PPE required in designated areas.
What we offer
- Competitive salary ($65,000 – $70,000 DOE).
- Health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Paid time off and holidays.
- 401(k) with company match.
- Direct ownership of a real production floor at a stable, profitable, family-feel small manufacturer.
- A leadership team that uses AI and modern tools — and expects you to as well.
How to apply
Apply directly through Indeed. Qualified candidates will be contacted for a phone screen. Final candidates will visit our facility for an on-site interview that includes a floor walk.
Woodland Power Products is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Pay: $65,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
Work Location: In person
