Manufacturing Manager

Lakeside Book Company

Lakeside Book Company is the largest book manufacturer in North America — and we love books. Every title we produce matters, and so does every hand that helps make it. Our people are at the heart of our success, and our mission is simple: Keep the world reading.

Location: 3094 Lester Drive, Kendallville, IN 46755

Hours: Monday - Friday (40 hours work week, flexibility as needed)

What You'll Do

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for manufacturing operations, driving performance across safety, quality, productivity, downtime, cost, and operational goals
• Lead staffing plans, production schedules, quality initiatives, and operational changes to ensure the team meets or exceeds performance and budget expectations
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce waste and downtime, strengthen quality, and optimize overall operational performance
• Lead and influence employees and front-line leaders through organizational and cultural change, building accountability and a high-performance manufacturing environment
• Oversee key operational and maintenance priorities, including preventive maintenance, work orders, equipment installations and upgrades, maintenance costs, and project execution
• Monitor KPIs and operational data across pressroom and digital operations, partnering cross-functionally to identify priorities, resolve performance gaps, and successfully execute improvement projects

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant manufacturing experience
• 5+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including responsibility for production teams and ideally the development of Production Supervisors or other front-line leaders
• Demonstrated success leading teams to achieve safety, quality, productivity, delivery, cost, and operational performance objectives
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement, with experience using Lean tools, data, KPIs, and structured problem-solving methods to improve performance
• Strong project management and cross-functional leadership skills, with experience managing operational initiatives, process changes, equipment installations, capital projects, or facility improvements
• Strong communication, coaching, decision-making, and team-building skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and lead effectively in a fast-paced, complex manufacturing environment

Discover What Makes Kendallville Special Opened 12 years ago as a digital plant, our Kendallville site combines innovation with small-town charm. With a tight-knit team and a strong community presence, we're proud to call this a vibrant town.

We employ approximately 160 team members who bring energy, care, and commitment to everything they do. Our flexible environment supports work-life balance and respects every voice.

Kendallville offers a variety of fun, local traditions:

• Community events like the Apple Festival, Bluegrass Festival, 4-H Fair, and Christmas Parade
• Unique spots like the Windmill Museum and Historic Downtown
• A welcoming small-town atmosphere with year-round festivals

We Give Back to Our Community Our employees take pride in giving back:

• Volunteer and donate to local groups like Kate's Carts, the Salvation Army, and East Noble Schools
• Active in the Chamber of Commerce, cancer walks, and the Kendallville Masjid/American Muslim Society
• Regular supporters of the local food pantry, 4-H Fair, and Apple Fest

We Celebrate and Support Our People A fun and engaging culture keeps our team connected:

• Food-focused fun like pizza days, donut & cider treats, and breakfasts cooked by managers
• Games and recognition events like Plinko Month, Safety Bingo, and NCAA brackets
• Holiday activities like "Mix & Mingle" Chex Mix bars and College Swag Days

What makes Kendallville truly stand out? Our people. Employees are heard, respected, and supported—with real growth opportunities. We value flexibility, balance, and building a workplace where everyone can thrive. A Culture of Safety and Responsibility At Lakeside Book Company, safety is more than a rule — it's part of who we are. We're committed to creating a workplace where every employee, visitor, and customer.

Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.

We're also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. To request accommodation, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io.

Please note: This job posting outlines key responsibilities and expectations for the role. Additional duties may be assigned as needed.