About the role

Every shift, you’ll lead a team that makes something real — and you’ll have the authority, tools, and support to do it right. At Southco, we don’t just hand you a clipboard and a headcount. We invest in you: in your skills, your leadership, and your financial future — including an ownership stake in the company through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan. If you want a role where your decisions matter and your work builds lasting value, this is it. 

Compensation: $75,000-$90,000

Shift Differential: 10%

Annual Broad Based Bonus: 10%

What you will be doing

• Own daily operations across your production area — safety, quality, throughput, and your team’s development, every shift. 

  Be a real leader, not a task-assigner. Mentor operators, have honest conversations, and build a team that holds itself to a high standard. 

  Drive continuous improvement — lead Kaizen events, run 5S and TPM initiatives, and solve problems at the root, not the surface. 

  Collaborate across shifts and departments so production runs seamlessly — not just on your watch, but around the clock. 

  Identify where processes break down and build the fix — with the resources and backing to implement it. 

  Hold the floor to zero-defect standards and treat quality as a team value, not a checklist. 

About you

• 4 years of supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment, minimum, with a track record of developing the people around you. 
• Required to have led a team of 15 or more in a complex manufacturing enviroment
• Experience leading Lean transformations — not just participating in them. 
• An advocate for strong communication and coaching among your team.  
• Comfortable operating across the full organization, from the production floor to leadership conversations. 
• Associate’s degree preferred; equivalent experience considered. 

How will we reward you

• Above market pay: $75,000–$90,000 base salary + 10% shift differential + 10% target bonus. The Rochester-area market average for this role is ~$74K. We pay above it intentionally, because we expect more and want people who want more. 

  Retirement built three ways. A 401(k) with 15 investment options and a 3% company match. An additional 2% company-paid contribution every year — deposited regardless of your own contribution. And our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), which adds approximately 4–6% of eligible earnings in company stock annually, with dividend payments after a 3-year vest. Most companies offer one of these. We offer all three. You own a piece of what you build. Southco is employee-owned. Your ESOP account grows with your tenure and company performance. The longer you stay and the better we perform together, the more that account grows. This isn’t a loyalty program — it’s real equity. 

  Comprehensive health coverage from day one. Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting your first day — two medical plan options, including a consumer-directed plan with employer-funded health savings contributions. Company-paid life insurance and short and long-term disability. Flexible spending accounts with year-to-year rollover. 

  Mental health support that actually works. Free access to licensed therapists — often within days, not weeks — plus professional coaching for goals, stress, and life transitions. Available to you and every member of your household at no cost, fully confidential, from day one. 

  Family and women’s health resources. Dedicated support for maternity, newborn care, and menopause — including same-day virtual specialist appointments. Fully covered, no cost to you. 

  Time off that actually recharges you. 3 weeks of annualized PTO to start, 9 company holidays, and 2 floating holidays — 11 paid days off before you touch your PTO balance. 

  Growth & development. Tuition reimbursement for undergraduate and graduate programs. Discounted gym memberships nationwide. Voluntary legal insurance with attorney fees covered for common matters. Parental leave. Referral bonuses.