Six Areas of Focus for Manufacturing Leaders

All companies need good leadership. Well-led businesses tend to be more productive, competitive, and responsive to change. Their employees have a clearer vision of where they are headed and why and are more engaged and motivated.

But what does good leadership mean? Or, better yet, what does good leadership in manufacturing mean? The role of leadership in manufacturing has evolved. Today, leaders need to make sound business decisions and navigate an increasingly challenging and fast-paced supply chain, understand and manage inconsistent demand, anticipate technological transformation, and attract and retain the next-generation workforce.

An Opportunity to Improve

Time has changed, and maybe now more than ever, leadership is critical to a manufacturer’s business success. Based on data collected during our assessment program and benchmarking studies, most small to medium-sized leaders are slightly above average in leadership and management. So, we know this is an opportunity for improvement among many.

Good leaders challenge everything. They are unsatisfied with the status quo but push to identify and implement improvement across the facility to drive efficiency and flexibility, the holy grail of manufacturing.

But it doesn’t stop there. Manufacturing leaders need to build trust among their workforce. They must create a culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement. Employees should be empowered to voice their opinions, make decisions, and problem-solve. Leadership can start to accomplish this through continuous and ongoing communication.

Leadership From the Ground Floor

Additionally, good leaders are visible. They are on the shop floor, seeing what’s working and what isn’t and planning to fix the inefficiencies or inaccuracies. Go see and go act.

Leaders are ensuring quality and safety are top priorities across the shop floor and with every employee.

Good leadership isn’t an easy task. Leaders need to stay motivated and take time to build strategies and implement change that will drive business success, which can be increasingly more difficult in today’s dog-eat-dog environment.

Six Areas for Success

The near term will continue to be challenging for manufacturing. Many small to medium-sized businesses are ushering in a new generation as leaders retire, so companies must continue working on the business. Leaders must lead their businesses and stay focused on these six critical areas for success:

1. Your market intel. How is the economy impacting the markets you serve, and how will that impact your business?
2. Understand your customer needs. What solutions will your customer need, and can you meet their need?
3. Develop your team. Talent will continue to be a challenge. Cross-train your team, build your employees’ skill sets, and generate the next generation of manufacturing leaders.
4. Focus on lead time reduction. Take the time now to identify how you can be more efficient.
5. Build flexibility and resilience. Better prepare your company for the highs and lows frequently impacting manufacturing.
6. Hunker down financially and be smart