At Backyard Products, we design and manufacture beautiful, high-quality outdoor structures – including sheds, gazebos, playsets, and pergolas that help transform backyards into places people love to spend time. Delivering exceptional products starts with operational excellence, and our manufacturing teams play a critical role in ensuring quality, efficiency, and safety across every stage of production.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a Thermoforming Supervisor to join our manufacturing team in Monroe, Michigan. This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on manufacturing leader who thrives in a fast-paced production environment and enjoys developing teams, improving processes, and driving operational performance.
The Thermoforming department is responsible for producing plastic slides used to create our backyard playsets. As the Thermoforming Supervisor, you will lead daily operations, oversee production activities, employee performance, safety initiatives, and quality standards. You will be responsible for ensuring production schedules are met while maintaining a strong focus on employee engagement, continuous improvement, and operational efficiency.
Reporting to the Plant Manager, you will work closely with production, maintenance, quality, and supply chain teams to optimize workflow, troubleshoot production challenges, and ensure the department consistently delivers high-quality products. This role offers the opportunity to make a direct impact on productivity, safety, and overall manufacturing performance.
This position is based in our Monroe, Michigan facility and is an on-site position.
What You’ll Do
Production Leadership
- Lead and supervise daily thermoforming operations to ensure production schedules, quality standards, and customer expectations are achieved
- Plan, assist, and coordinate work activities across the department to maximize efficiency and productivity
- Manage shift priorities and adjust production schedules as needed to address changing business demands
- Monitor departmental performance metrics and visual management systems to drive accountability and continuous improvement
- Recommend and implement improvements to production methods, equipment utilization, and operating procedures
Team Development & Employee Relations
- Lead, coach, and develop production employees through effective communication, and performance management
- Foster a positive culture focused on safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement
- Address employee concerns attendance issues, and performance matters in partnership with Human Resources
- Support staffing and workforce planning needs
Quality, Safety & Continuous Improvement
- Oversee and manage tool changes and adjust machine settings to ensure consistent production of quality parts
- Monitor production processes, troubleshoot issues, and implement corrective actions to improve efficiency and reduce waste
- Maintain inventory levels necessary to support production requirements
- Ensure compliance with company safety policies, conduct incident investigations, and promote safe work practices
- Maintain a clean, organized work environment and support ongoing continuous improvement initiatives
What You Bring
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- 3-5 years of manufacturing or production experience
- Minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment
- Culture-centric, strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Experience managing employee performance, attendance, and scheduling
- Ability to balance safety, quality, productivity, and employee engagement priorities
- Experience with process improvement initiatives and production reporting systems
Preferred Qualifications
- Thermoforming processing and equipment experience strongly preferred
- Experience performing machine setup, tool changes, and process adjustments
- Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience
- Experience leading teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
Work Environment
This position operates within a manufacturing environment and is regularly exposed to moving mechanical equipment, airborne particles, vibration, and elevated noise levels and temperatures. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required when working in production areas.
Physical Requirements
- Frequent standing and walking throughout the production facility
- Regular use of hands and arms to operate equipment and perform inspections
- Occasional climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling
- Ability to frequently lift and move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and move up to 80 pounds
- Ability to work safely around manufacturing equipment and machinery
Why Backyard Products
- Competitive compensation based on experience
- Comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Life Insurance
- 401(k) with Company Match
- Paid Time Off
- Stable, growing manufacturing organization with advancement opportunities
- Collaborative culture focused on quality, safety, and continuous improvement
- The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on products that customers enjoy for years to come
Backyard Products is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer
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