2nd Shift Front-End Production Supervisor (Monday – Friday 3:30 PM – 12:00 PM)

 

• Lead daily production activities to ensure attainment of production schedules, customer requirements, and operational performance targets.
• Monitor and manage key performance indicators (KPIs), including productivity, scrap, labor efficiency, downtime, throughput, and on-time delivery.
• Balance production lines and determine staffing requirements to support changing production demands.
• Coordinate activities across Production, Planning, Engineering, Maintenance, and Quality functions to maintain operational efficiency.
• Identify and escalate operational risks that may impact safety, quality, delivery, or productivity metrics.

• Provide leadership, coaching, and development for production operators and team leads.
• Establish clear performance expectations and hold employees accountable for achieving operational goals.
• Conduct shift meetings, performance discussions, and employee development activities.
• Manage workforce planning, staffing levels, attendance, scheduling, and shift coverage.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performance work environment focused on teamwork, engagement, and continuous learning.

• Champion a culture of safety and ensure adherence to all company safety policies and procedures.
• Maintain compliance with OSHA regulations and applicable environmental, health, and safety requirements.
• Lead incident investigations, corrective actions, and safety improvement initiatives.
• Conduct routine safety observations, audits, and risk assessments.
• Drive continuous improvement toward a zero-incident workplace.

• Ensure compliance with established quality systems, standard operating procedures, and product specifications.
• Partner with Quality and Engineering teams to investigate and resolve product and process nonconformances.
• Support root cause analysis and implementation of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Promote a culture of quality ownership throughout the production team.

• Lead and support Lean Manufacturing initiatives, including 5S, Standard Work, Kaizen, and waste reduction activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, quality, safety, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Support implementation of best practices and standardized operating procedures.
• Participate in cost reduction, capacity expansion, and process improvement projects.
• Utilize data and performance metrics to drive continuous improvement and informed decision-making.

• Prepare and maintain production, labor, and operational performance reports.
• Analyze production trends and communicate performance results to leadership.
• Maintain accurate employee, production, and operational records.
• Ensure timely communication of operational issues, staffing concerns, and production challenges.

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations Management, or a related discipline preferred.
• An Associate Degree, technical certification, or equivalent combination of education and relevant manufacturing experience may be considered.

• Minimum of 3 years of manufacturing experience in a production environment in a supervisory, team lead, or frontline leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience applying Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment preferred.

• Knowledge of production planning, workforce utilization, and manufacturing operations.
• Understanding of industrial engineering fundamentals and line balancing principles.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, and manufacturing reporting tools.
• Familiarity with quality improvement methodologies and problem-solving tools, including 5 Why Analysis, Fishbone Diagrams, SPC, and Root Cause Analysis.
• Ability to interpret production data and make data-driven operational decisions.

• Strong leadership presence and the ability to motivate and develop teams.
• Effective communication, coaching, and conflict resolution skills.
• Sound judgment and decision-making in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• A results-oriented mindset with a focus on accountability and execution.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving capabilities.
• High levels of integrity, ownership, and personal accountability.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.

• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with regular exposure to production equipment and varying temperatures.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift.
• Occasional lifting, bending, reaching, and movement throughout the production floor.
• Use of required personal protective equipment (PPE) in designated manufacturing areas.

Pay Range

$75,000 - $90,000 annually

About Knowles

Knowles is a leading manufacturer of specialty electronic components. We design parts that perform unique, critical functions for innovative technologies. Through extreme reliability, custom engineering, and scalable manufacturing, we enable businesses to succeed in the most demanding applications across medtech, defense, and industrial markets.

Our high-performance capacitors, RF and microwave filters, advanced medtech microphones, balanced armature speakers, and miniaturization products enable and enhance the performance of technologies with the power to change, improve, and save lives. Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, Knowles has grown into a global organization with employees spanning 11 countries.

Why Join Us?

BENEFITS DAY 1

* Paid holidays
* Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Drug Plans
* Retirement Savings Plan (401k) with employer matching
* Basic Life and AD&D Insurance, STD and LTD
* Employee Referral Program
* Competitive pay and benefits package
* Opportunities for professional development and growth
* A collaborative work environment focused on innovation and continuous improvement


Equal Opportunity Statement: We prohibit pay discrimination and discrimination of any kind based on race, color, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or other legally protected status.

ITAR Statement: Please note that this position may require access to technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants must be U.S. persons (citizens, lawful permanent residents, or individuals granted refugee or asylee status) or have the necessary authorization to access controlled technical data. Compliance with ITAR and EAR regulations is a condition of employment.

Notice to Staffing Agencies, Search Firms, and Recruitment Agencies: The recruitment process at Knowles is managed through the Human Resources department. Knowles does not accept resumes submitted from 3rd party agencies outside of our system. To submit resumes, 3rd party agencies will need to be a pre-approved vendor with a valid contract in place, be actively engaged by Knowles to recruit for a specific position and have agency login credentials to submit candidates to our career portal. Please do not submit resumes via e-mail, external website, or directly to our employees. Any resumes submitted in this way become the property of Knowles and will not be eligible for any placement fee.