Leading on the Manufacturing Floor

What You’ll Learn:

This course equips supervisors and front-line leaders with practical leadership tools that directly apply to real-world manufacturing environments.

From Peer to Leader: Making the Supervisor Transition

• Build credibility and trust after moving from peer to leader
• Set expectations confidently without becoming overly authoritative
• Navigate favoritism, pushback, and common front-line leadership challenges

Accountability on the Floor: Setting Expectations and Following Through

• Set clear expectations for performance, quality, safety, and behavior
• Hold employees accountable fairly and consistently
• Understand the difference between coaching, correcting, and documenting

Difficult Conversations for Front-Line Leaders

• Prepare for difficult conversations with confidence
• De-escalate conflict and keep conversations productive
• Address negativity, attendance, and performance concerns professionally

Coaching Employees for Performance and Growth

• Coach employees in the moment to improve performance
• Deliver useful feedback that supports accountability and growth
• Develop employee skill depth and future growth opportunities

Leading the Shift: Communication, Priorities, and Execution

• Run more effective shift start-up meetings
• Communicate priorities clearly across the team
• Respond effectively to production changes and operational challenges

Course Highlights:

• Designed specifically for manufacturing supervisors and team leads
• Focused on practical, real-world leadership situations
• Interactive discussions, case studies, and hands-on exercises
• Strategies participants can immediately apply within their operation
• Helps strengthen consistency, communication, and accountability across shifts and departments

Who Should Attend:

• Department managers looking to strengthen leadership consistency
• Newly promoted and aspiring supervisors
• Team leads directing daily production activities
• Front-line leaders responsible for accountability and communication
• Organizations seeking stronger shift communication and employee engagement

About the Course:

• Led by an experienced professional who has a proven track record of success. 
• Includes a variety of teaching methods – lectures, case studies, and group activities 
• Content Level: Beginner to Intermediate  
• Course Requirements: N/A.
• WedNET Eligible: Yes. This course is generally reimbursable under the WedNET PA state training grant at $2,000 per employee (subject to eligibility, funding, and compliance). At your request, our on-staff grant specialists would be pleased to assist you in applying for this or other funding programs available to reduce your net investment.