The Crystal Lake facility is a cornerstone in ProDriven Global Brands’ global manufacturing network, producing market‑leading products trusted on job sites around the world—reflecting the company’s strong focus on end‑user needs and product performance. With a portfolio that includes iconic brands like Werner®, WEATHER GUARD®, KNAACK®, our teams contribute to products recognized globally for durability, safety, and innovation.
At Crystal Lake, you’ll be part of a facility with a rich history and a deep community presence, where employees describe it as “a great place to build, learn, and grow” and take pride in knowing their work makes a meaningful impact.
This site is also actively advancing the company’s continuous improvement and Lean journey, supported by investments in cutting‑edge robotics, automation, and new technology that drive operational excellence and enhance team capability. The facility consistently focuses on safety, quality, and innovation—core pillars across all ProDriven operations and tightly aligned with the company’s global transformation strategy to grow as a diversified, innovation‑driven industrial manufacturer.
Joining the Crystal Lake team means stepping into a high‑visibility role where you contribute to a facility that blends heritage, community values, and advanced manufacturing technologies It’s more than an operations job—it’s a chance to help shape the future of an industry‑leading manufacturer with global reach and strong local roots.
The Operations Manager will lead the manufacturing department, driving operational excellence, and ensuring alignment with the company’s strategic objectives. This role is critical in enhancing productivity, efficiency, and product quality while fostering a culture of safety, innovation, and continuous improvement. The Operations Manager will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to meet production targets, optimize manufacturing processes, and achieve superior operational results.
· Strategic Leadership: Provide strategic direction and leadership to all manufacturing departments, ensuring activities are aligned with
company goals and objectives.
· Operational Planning: Develop and implement comprehensive operational plans to achieve production targets and meet customer
demands efficiently.
· Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Engineering, Finance, HR, Supply Chain, and Sales to ensure a cohesive
approach to manufacturing operations.
· Continuous Improvement: Drive operational continuous improvement, utilizing lean manufacturing principles to enhance efficiency,
reduce costs, and improve product quality.
· Performance Monitoring: Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify areas for improvement, driving
continuous process optimization and operational excellence.
· Team Development: Foster a culture of innovation, teamwork, and accountability within the manufacturing organization, developing
and mentoring staff to achieve their full potential.
· Industry Engagement: Stay abreast of industry trends, best practices, and regulatory requirements to ensure operational strategies
are forward-thinking and compliant.
Key Competencies:
· Strong leadership and negotiation skills, with the ability to inspire and lead teams toward achieving operational excellence.
· Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, capable of identifying and executing strategic projects from concept
to implementation.
· Demonstrated success in driving operational improvements, achieving production targets, and fostering a culture of continuous
improvement.
· Solid understanding of supply chain dynamics and EHS regulations to manage operations effectively and compliantly.
Preferred Qualifications:
· BA/BS in Industrial, Mechanical, or Business Administration; MBA strongly preferred.
Salary Range:
$130,000 - $159,000
Benefits:
ProDriven Global Brands is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. WernerCo is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All qualified applicants to WernerCo are considered for employment without regard to age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status or any other protected characteristic. WernerCo will not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind based on these characteristics.
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On August 5, 2024 WernerCo Professional Brands announced it was changing its name to ProDriven Global Brands. The change represents a significant transformation from a North American Ladder brand to a global portfolio serving a broad set of professionals and industries throughout the world.
ProDriven Global Brands better demonstrates the company’s well-diversified, innovative portfolio and its dedication to serving professionals and tradesmen.
As part of the transition, this page and all of the subsequent LinkedIn employee references will be switching to ProDriven Global Brands.
Since 2007, the company has acquired several brands expanding its reach beyond North America. Today the portfolio boasts notable brand names such as Werner, WEATHER GUARD®, KNAACK®, Duarib®, Zarges®, Bailey®, BETTER BUILT®, BOSS®, Centaure® and Haemmerlin®.
With more than 5,000 employees on four continents ProDriven Global Brands has innovation hubs and manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Australia, Canada, China, France, Hungary, Mexico, Philippines, Vietnam, Germany and the U.K.
Product Overview:
• The company markets and distributes fall protection and climbing equipment through 6 brands in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
• Secure storage, is mainly served through the KNAACK® (jobsite storage), WEATHER GUARD®(truck and van storage), and BETTER BUILT® (truck and jobsite storage) in North America and logistic equipment through the Zarges brand in Europe.
• In the UK, WernerCo manufactures and markets wheelbarrows and other light construction equipment (e.g., concrete mixers, hose reels) in its light duty construction division – a business acquired as part of the CDH Group in 2016.
