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CVNG 0005 - Operations Leadership: Skills for Manufacturing Success

1033643
Instruction Methods In-Person
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Course Description

In today’s dynamic manufacturing environment, operational leaders are not just managing production — they are facilitating change, driving improvement and influencing others. This workshop prepares manufacturing and operations leaders with the practical tools and leadership mindset needed to lead effectively in fast-paced environments.

You will explore systems that sustain high performance, develop your ability to coach and communicate and learn how to lead technology adoption and change initiatives with confidence. You’ll leave with hands-on tools to improve daily operations while building trust, engagement and influence.

Course Outline/Topics

Day 1: Leading Self
Developing Awareness, Accountability and a Problem-Solving Mindset
 
You will explore your personal leadership approach and understand how your behavior impacts team outcomes. Through self-assessment and reflection, you will identify personal growth opportunities and begin applying structured thinking to your challenges.
  • Defining operations leadership: what great leaders do
  • Leadership mindsets and behaviors that drive performance
  • Self-assessment: understanding your style (optional tool: Predictive Index, DISC)
  • Identifying barriers to team performance
  • Guide vs Hero: a problem solving mindset
  • Exploring personal strengths in communication, influence and negotiation
Day 2: Leading Systems
Daily Management, Standard Work and Visual Accountability
 
Day two focuses on building and managing the systems that sustain performance. You will learn how to lead through structure and routine, using visual tools and tiered daily management to create alignment and flow.
  • Daily Management Systems (DMS): tier boards, metrics and huddles
  • Leader Standard Work: driving focus and follow-through
  • Standard work and 5S for visual control
  • Introduction to root cause tools: 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagram
Day 3: Leading Others
Coaching, Communication, Negotiation and Leading Change
 
The final day focuses on influencing others through communication, coaching and the ability to lead change — including technology adoption. You will explore how to “sell” ideas internally, manage resistance and facilitate team-based improvement conversations.
  • Coaching skills for problem solvers: levels of listening, situational coaching
  • Facilitating improvement conversations and team sessions
  • Negotiating and influencing: using your leadership style to gain buy-in
  • Introducing and leading adoption of new technologies (e.g., Agentic AI, Power BI, Computer Vision, advanced Excel, error recognition tools)
  • Training staff on technology through a change management lens
  • Leading through resistance: how to manage change and sustain momentum
  • Reinforcement: building trust, recognition and follow-up systems

Benefits and Learning Outcomes

  • Understand the role of a modern manufacturing leader and the systems and behaviors that support high performance
  • Learn and apply tools for daily management, leader standard work, coaching, negotiation and root-cause problem solving
  • Build and test plans to solve real-world leadership, operational and technology-driven challenges within teams

Who Should Attend

Frontline and mid-level manufacturing or operations leaders, high-potential team leads and supervisors, functional leaders seeking to increase influence and effectiveness on the shop floor, professionals responsible for team performance, production goals or continuous improvement

Instructors

  • Sarah Tilkens, Founder

Partners & Professional Credits

  • Professional Development Hours 21.0 PDHs

Applies Towards the Following Credentials

  • Engineering Leadership Certificate : Core
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CVNG 0005 - 260511V

Expand or collapse CVNG 0005 - 260511V
May 11, 2026
In-Person
Available
$1,255.00
Section Title
Operations Leadership: Skills for Manufacturing Success
Type
In-Person
Days
M, T, W
Time
8:00AM to 5:00PM
Dates
May 11, 2026 to May 13, 2026
Schedule and Location
View Details
Contact Hours
21.0
Location
  • UW-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education
Instruction Method Options
In-Person  
Course Fee(s)
Registration $1,255.00
Potential Discount(s)
  • Early Bird
CEUs
2.1 CEUs
Cancel Request Deadline
Apr 27, 2026
Transfer Request Deadline
Apr 11, 2026
Instructors
  • Sarah Tilkens
Partners & Professional Credits
  • Professional Development Hours
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Sarah Tilkens

Sarah is a dynamic executive coach and consultant, founder of The KPI Lab, where she
operates at the intersection of problem-solving and operational excellence. Specializing in
leadership development and Lean methodologies, she has over 10,000 hours of experience
supporting individuals and teams in solving complex problems. With a Six Sigma Black Belt
and a background in GE HealthCare, Sarah empowers high-growth teams to achieve
breakthrough outcomes through innovative strategies. Her passion for coaching and
community service drives her commitment to inspiring transformative change in both
corporate and personal environments.

Professional Development Hours

CVNG 0005 - 260511V - Operations Leadership: Skills for Manufacturing Success

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In-Person

Description
Instruction at a physical location.

Registration

Early Bird

Description
Early bird available until 14 days before start date (discount rounded to nearest $).
Discount Amount
10.00%

CEUs

The continuing education unit (CEU) is a nationally recognized means to document participation in organized non-credit continuing education. One CEU is defined as 10 contact hours of participation in organized continuing education under qualified instruction. The CEU provides a vehicle for employers, professional groups, and licensing agencies to account for participation in non-credit seminars, workshops, and courses.

Sarah Tilkens

Sarah is a dynamic executive coach and consultant, founder of The KPI Lab, where she
operates at the intersection of problem-solving and operational excellence. Specializing in
leadership development and Lean methodologies, she has over 10,000 hours of experience
supporting individuals and teams in solving complex problems. With a Six Sigma Black Belt
and a background in GE HealthCare, Sarah empowers high-growth teams to achieve
breakthrough outcomes through innovative strategies. Her passion for coaching and
community service drives her commitment to inspiring transformative change in both
corporate and personal environments.

Professional Development Hours

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