Manufacturing Team Leader

Posted Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 6:00 AM

Asten Johnson is the leader in technical fabrics. Our drive to provide the best products and service in our industry is fueled by our associates and their drive to innovate. We want our associates to build careers here and become part of the fabric of our 230 year old company. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits and a workplace built on respect and purpose.

Location: Appleton, WI (Forming Site)
Employment Type: Full-Time | Exempt

Asten Johnson is seeking a Manufacturing Team Leader to lead safe, efficient, and high-performing manufacturing operations at our Appleton Forming site. This is a key leadership role for a hands‑on, people‑focused manufacturing leader who thrives in a Lean environment and is motivated by developing teams, improving processes, and delivering results.

If you enjoy balancing operational excellence with strong people leadership, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on safety, performance, and culture.

• Lead day‑to‑day manufacturing operations with a strong focus on safety, quality, delivery, and cost
• Own the flow of work‑in‑process (WIP) to support stable production, predictable delivery, and inventory control
• Manage manufacturing performance against budget and drive actions to meet or exceed site goals
• Partner closely with Site Leadership to optimize flow and drive sustainable improvements
• Develop, coach, and lead Production Team Leaders and hourly associates
• Foster strong associate engagement and maintain positive labor relations in a unionized environment
• Collaborate with HR and Site Leader on performance management, talent development, and labor‑related matters
• Champion Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement culture across the site

• Bachelor’s degree required (Science or Engineering preferred)
• 2–5 years of manufacturing leadership experience
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Statistical Process Control
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and motivate teams in a manufacturing environment
• Analytical, results‑oriented problem solver with strong business and financial acumen
• Experience in a unionized manufacturing environment preferred
• Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills

At Asten Johnson, we combine deep industry expertise with a people‑first culture
. Our leaders are empowered to improve processes, develop talent, and shape the future of manufacturing. You’ll be part of a collaborative team where safety, continuous improvement, and respect for people are core values.

If you’re a manufacturing leader who enjoys developing people, improving operations, and driving meaningful results, we invite you to apply.

We are an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.