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Wright Manufacturing

Designs, manufactures, and sells commercial mowers

Production Department Manager

Full-Time
$80k
Senior
Bachelor's, Associate's
Frederick, MD, USA
In Person
Manufacturing & Production OperationsWelding & Metal Fabrication

About the job

Requirements
  • At least 5 years of manufacturing experience in welding, fabrication, metalworking, or a related production environment.
  • At least 3 years of manufacturing leadership or supervisory experience.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead a sizable hourly workforce through frontline supervisors or team leaders.
  • Ability to work effectively across multiple shifts and adjust working hours when necessary to support second-shift operations.
Responsibilities
  • Lead daily production activities across two shifts to achieve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost objectives.
  • Ensure staffing, equipment, materials, and production priorities are aligned with the manufacturing schedule.
  • Directly lead, coach, and develop the department’s two Group Leaders, while establishing clear expectations for line Team Leaders.
  • Build the leadership capabilities of Group Leaders and Team Leaders so that daily accountability occurs at the appropriate level.
  • Build a culture of accountability, teamwork, respect, urgency, and continuous improvement.
  • Ensure fabricated and welded components consistently meet Wright Manufacturing’s quality standards and specifications.
  • Lead continuous-improvement activities focused on safety, quality, productivity, flow, labor efficiency, and cost.
  • Partner with Maintenance to ensure welding equipment, fixtures, tooling, ventilation systems, and supporting equipment are properly maintained.
  • Support preventive-maintenance activities and help reduce unplanned downtime.
  • Work with Manufacturing Engineering to improve welding processes, tooling, fixtures, and manufacturing methods.
  • Support the introduction of new products, equipment, processes, and engineering changes into the Weld Department.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience with manufacturing commercial power equipment, automotive products, heavy equipment, or similar fabricated products.
  • Knowledge of Lean manufacturing, 5S, standard work, visual management, root-cause analysis, and continuous-improvement methodologies.
  • Experience with robotic welding or automated welding systems.
  • Experience with ERP/MRP and manufacturing performance-management systems.
  • An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related discipline.

About the company

Wright Manufacturing designs, builds, and sells commercial lawn care equipment, including stand-on, zero-turn, and walk-behind mowers, as well as related accessories. The mowers are manufactured in Frederick, Maryland, using lean production methods to keep efficiency and quality high. Their products are built for durability and high productivity, with features like an open platform that makes it easy for operators to dismount and maneuver around obstacles. The company differentiates itself through its history as the inventor of the stand-on mower category (the Stander) and its focus on operator efficiency, backed by a nationwide and international dealer network. Wright’s goal is to provide reliable, productive turf-care equipment to professional landscapers and to grow its business by continuing to design practical, long-lasting mowers that meet the needs of commercial users.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

N/A

Founded

N/A

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • OPE+Landscape’s 2026 award strengthens Wright ZTS credibility with commercial landscapers.
  • Maryland’s lean-manufacturing honor supports Wright’s brand as a disciplined U.S. builder.
  • 659 U.S. dealers give Wright broad reach for upgrades, attachments, and replacement cycles.

What critics are saying

  • Toro and Exmark keep attacking Wright’s niche with Grandstand and Vantage platforms.
  • Wright’s dealer network depends on 659 U.S. dealers, exposing it to channel churn.
  • Private-company opacity hides 2026 demand trends, making slowdown or margin compression hard to spot.

What makes Wright Manufacturing unique

  • Wright invented the stand-on mower and still owns the category’s origin story.
  • Wright ZTS won OPE+Landscape’s Twenty for 2026 New Product Award.
  • Wright’s Frederick plant won MWCC Member Company of the Year for lean manufacturing.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
  • 401(k) Company Match
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • Paid Holidays
  • Life Insurance
  • Disability Insurance
  • Training Programs
  • Professional Development Budget