Superintendent

THE ROLE

At Great Dane, we rely on makers and we’re calling on them to join our expanding team, the time has never been better to Embrace Your Great and work in an environment with the highest safety standards in the industry.  

The Position: The Superintendent coordinates and directs the activities of a wide variety of production and other functional department(s) or even production shifts in handling and processing materials and manufacturing products. Purpose is to ensure the delivery of products safely, on time, within budget, and at the expected quality level per engineering drawings.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Ensure individual and employee compliance with all safety rules, policies, and regulatory requirements while promoting a proactive, safety-first culture throughout the operation.
• Provide direct leadership, coaching, and development to Production Supervisors to strengthen leadership capabilities, improve decision-making, and drive operational excellence across all shifts and functional areas.
• Develop supervisors through regular performance feedback, mentoring, training, and succession planning initiatives designed to build leadership strength and support long-term organizational growth.
• Establish clear expectations and accountability standards for supervisors related to Safety, Quality, Productivity, Cost Management, and Team Engagement while reinforcing ownership of results and continuous improvement behaviors.
• Lead and support supervisors in employee relations, workforce engagement, conflict resolution, attendance management, performance management, and corrective action processes to ensure consistent application of company policies and leadership practices.
• Foster a culture of communication, collaboration, and continuous learning by conducting routine leadership meetings, shift handoffs, one-on-one coaching sessions, and development discussions with supervisors and frontline leaders.
• Partner with supervisors to identify skill gaps, training needs, and development opportunities within the production workforce while ensuring training matrices, certifications, and standard work compliance are maintained and sustained.
• Define direct labor staffing plans based on production volume, prepare lines for successful start-up of subsequent shifts, support and/or manage rework, defects, and scrap reduction efforts, and implement root cause corrective actions.
• Ensure accurate and timely completion of NPO records and NCM processes.
• Manage and coach Supervisors in the application of lean manufacturing concepts to ensure Safety, Quality, On-time Delivery, Productivity, and Cost targets are achieved. Including but not limited to:
• Conducting safety observations, 5S reviews, and developing supervisors’ leadership of BBS programs to cultivate an engaged and accountable safety culture.
• Leading lean board walks to improve team capability and operational performance related to SPQTC metrics.
• Ensuring SORT teams are functioning effectively and that feedback responses are timely, accurate, and action oriented.
• Driving timely follow-up and sustainability of RCCA actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensuring supervisors are effectively coordinating standard work reviews with functional departments and auditing compliance for long-term sustainability.
• Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable laws, including interviewing, hiring, onboarding, training, planning, assigning work, appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, and resolving conflicts.
• Drive a culture of accountability and engagement by recognizing strong performance, addressing performance gaps promptly, and empowering supervisors to lead effective, high-performing teams.
• Support the Scheduling process and Production Engineering reviews to identify discrepancies prior to line starts and minimize production disruptions.
• Communicate effectively with the Functional Manager, fellow Superintendents, and plant leadership to resolve safety, quality, staffing, tooling, and operational concerns while maintaining production schedules and customer commitments.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational efficiency, waste reduction, employee development, and process standardization.
• Other duties as assigned.

Your skills and abilities (required qualifications) 

• Education: GED or high school diploma is required. College degree preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Previous experience leading production teams, manufacturing operations, or functional departments in a fast-paced environment preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams toward achieving common operational and organizational goals while fostering collaboration, accountability, and engagement.
• Progressive history of supervision and/or effective leadership in previous positions is required, including experience coaching frontline leaders and managing employee performance.
• Demonstrated understanding of an effective safety culture with the ability to actively drive safety performance, reinforce safe behaviors, ensure compliance, and promote employee ownership of safety initiatives.
• Skills: Strong leadership presence with the ability to effectively communicate expectations, provide consistent feedback, and hold employees and leaders accountable fairly, professionally, and without bias.
• Ability to build trust and credibility through follow-through, timely communication, sound decision-making, and consistent application of policies and procedures.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite with emphasis on the ability to navigate, analyze, and formulate within Excel.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to address practical issues and manage a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry, and prepare reports, business correspondence, and procedural documentation.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret production, manufacturing, and industrial engineering prints, drawings, and specifications.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from employees, managers, customers, and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment while maintaining focus on safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
• Travel: Less than 5%

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Office and plant environment.
• Keyboarding, lifting, standing, bending, walking.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 ABOUT GREAT DANE 

With a history dating back to 1900, Great Dane has established itself as a transportation solutions leader of today – delivering innovative products and exceptional services that help our customers and employees succeed. We not only engineer durable and high-quality trailers and truck bodies; we foster relationships that last a lifetime.

WHY WORK FOR US?

Great Dane is a leading manufacturer of dry-freight vans, refrigerated trailers, and flatbeds with 10 manufacturing facilities and 20 service centers throughout the United States. With a legacy like ours comes a dedication to the hard-working individuals that make Great Dane what it is today. Our jobs are waiting to be filled by driven, challenge-focused & enthusiastic people like you.

Our culture is comprised of “Champions” and offers a rewarding workplace rooted in core values of safety, leadership, integrity, quality, and passion. Every employee has opportunities to learn, to grow, to succeed and to be engaged in a collaborative environment.

BENEFITS OVERVIEW

• Competitive compensation
• Benefits, including but not limited to dental, vision, and medical with employer contributions
• Retirement programs, including a Pension Plan and 401(k) Plan with employer match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid holidays and vacation
• And more!

Great Dane is an Equal Opportunity Employer