Manager, Prototyping Lab

Kohler Co.•Kohler, WI

10d•Onsite

About The Position

For over 150 years, Kohler Company has been a global leader in boldly reimagining the spaces where people live and work. Today, we continue that legacy by pushing the boundaries of design, engineering, and innovation—and we’re looking for a passionate leader to help bring the next generation of ideas to life. We are seeking a Manager – Wisconsin Prototyping to lead our cutting-edge Model Shop operations. In this role, you will be at the heart of product innovation, guiding a highly skilled team of project analysts and technicians to transform concepts into tangible prototypes. From advanced machining and 3D printing to precision finishing, your leadership will ensure every build meets the highest standards of quality, safety, and craftsmanship. As a trusted partner to engineering and product development teams, you will play a critical role in accelerating design cycles, optimizing throughput, and delivering the prototype solutions that power breakthrough products. This is an opportunity to make a visible impact—connecting strategy to execution and turning bold ideas into reality.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering or related field
Minimum three to five years of leadership experience
Minimum of five years of experience in prototyping or manufacturing
Excellent interpersonal and team-building skills
Collaborative mindset, capable of building trust and creating an engaging environment
Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and influence at all levels
Experience translating engineering intent into build requirements / understanding of engineering drawings
Experience in new product development
Experience with capacity planning, job prioritization, scheduling and resource management
Proficient in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing / print reading
Pragmatic and creative approach to problem solving
Experience implementing continuous improvement initiatives using Lean principles
Experience managing external prototype vendors (quoting, sourcing, lead times, and quality expectations)
Working knowledge of manufacturing/prototyping systems (e.g., ERP/MRP, PLM, work order/job tracking, and basic reporting tools)
Financial budgeting skills
Experience with EHS in a shop environment
Strong project management skills with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously

Responsibilities

Direct daily Model Shop operations; optimize workflows, improve efficiency, and maximize productivity using data-driven decision making.
Build and mentor a high-performing team through hiring, training, scheduling, and performance management that drive technical excellence and growth.
Partner with engineering, product development, and advanced manufacturing to align priorities and deliver prototype parts that support design reviews and key milestones.
Define build requirements, standard work, and inspection checkpoints. Lead root cause and corrective actions for nonconforming parts; partner with engineering and suppliers to improve build consistency and reduce rework.
Identify and prioritize equipment/infrastructure needs, develop business cases, and lead execution of approved capital projects.
Own equipment uptime through preventive maintenance, routine inspections, and calibration of measurement tools as applicable; minimize downtime and extend asset life.
Manage staffing, materials, and budgets; optimize procurement to support cost-effective operations without compromising quality or delivery.
Track prototyping metrics (throughput, rework/scrap, on-time delivery); identify trends and constraints; quantify opportunities and sustain improvements.
Champion shop safety and compliance; ensure adherence to applicable standards and maintain effective SOPs and work practices.
Reduce prototype lead time and rework by implementing standard work, 5S/visual management, clear handoffs, and simple daily management routines (priorities, capacity checks, issue escalation).