Manufacturing Workers are Looking for Leadership to Take These 4 Actions

By Kerrie Jordan, VP - Product Management, Data Platform at Epicor Software

I have spent over a decade working in the manufacturing space and am grateful to have the opportunity to speak with manufacturing leaders every day. In all my conversations with successful leaders, one theme always stands out: it’s about the team. The most successful companies in this industry have leaders who value their workers and are committed to improving their experience.

But what about their employees? The past few years have seen a transformation of reorientation to work in general as the power dynamic shifts to workers and their desires from their workplace. Even while facing numerous challenges – higher regulations, supply chain issues, increased consumer demand, and the overall state of the economy – the industry is strong and resilient, experiencing promising growth as companies move to cloud-based operations and increase their use of technology.

So, in what ways are these changes impacting the worker experience?

For our recent report on the “Voice of the Essential Manufacturing Worker,” we surveyed 600 manufacturing workers to find out their engagement levels and what they require from their leaders. Manufacturing leaders should always be looking for ways to enhance their workers’ experience, increase their engagement, and give them the necessary tools to be successful.

Here are four ways to achieve that, based on manufacturing worker feedback.

Four Actions for Manufacturing Leaders

To create more engaged workers, more streamlined operations, and a more secure future for growth, manufacturing leaders should implement the following strategies:

1. Focus on data-first manufacturing

Modern manufacturing companies are leveraging Big Data, or the data collected across their organization, to improve operations and inform decision-makers. Using analytics to gain insights from the data about where operations are working and where they need improvement is an essential part of collecting that data. Using data-informed decisions to improve and streamline processes like supply chain management, forecasting, and throughput can also help workers be more engaged and productive.

Technology can not only streamline operations but also allow workers to be more efficient, effective, and happier. Factory workers are looking for companies to incorporate technology into their operations and day-today tasks. According to our report, workers would be willing to take a 10% pay cut to go to a company that puts technology first. In other words, they want to work for a company that embraces technological advances and sees the value it can provide to improving manufacturing operations and their everyday work experience. With data, software, digital applications, as well as introducing automation in your processes, you can improve the worker experience and quality while reducing costs.

2. Make sustainability a priority

Sustainability in manufacturing is critical to the company’s future in various ways. Six out of ten respondents to our survey said they would take a pay cut to work for a more sustainable factory, similar to being technology-forward.

By adopting more sustainable practices, manufacturing companies can positively impact the environment and set themselves up for growth. A recent report from HP found that workers who see their company as an industry leader in sustainability are happier, feel more cared for, are more productive, and are avid advocates of their company.

3. Provide flexible work schedules and paid time off

Expectations around work have been changing over the past few years as workers reevaluate what they want from their careers, work/life balance, and how they want to be appreciated by their employers. Respondents to our survey all came back to two things when asked what contributed to high morale, what could create a more engaging work environment, and what they’d look for in a new employer if they left: flexible work schedules and more paid time off.

This suggests that factory workers want more work/life balance yet must adhere to rigid scheduling and don’t get much time off, which can easily lead to burnout. Morale and engagement can improve with flexible scheduling, according to a report from Gartner, and those with flexible work hours feel they achieved greater productivity as well. Manufacturing leaders should reevaluate how to alleviate workloads and allow for flexible schedules and more paid time off.

4. Continue investing in upskilling

Manufacturing companies that want to improve their operations and be a modern leader in the industry should embrace technologies such as Big Data, robotics, AI, AR, 3D printing, and more. However, with new technology and advances come the need to know how to run them. Are manufacturing companies prioritizing ensuring that their workers have the right skills for the future?

According to our report, 80% of respondents say their company is making upskilling a priority and offering it in a number of different ways. Most offer on-site and on-thejob training, while many are giving access to online learning platforms where workers can take courses and gain certifications anywhere and at any time. Many note that their company covers costs for training programs and courses. Companies that offer upskilling aren’t just ensuring that their workers know how to operate new technologies. They’re also training them for leadership roles and upward movement.

The impacts of upskilling are many. According to Gallup, 71% of upskilled workers said their overall job satisfaction has increased, 65% say their standard of living has increased, and 69% say their overall quality of life has improved.

Modernizing Manufacturing Today

Manufacturing leaders should always be looking for ways to improve their workers’ experience. According to workers themselves, manufacturing leaders should focus on increasing their technology adoption and sustainability efforts, making upskilling a priority, and offering more flexible work schedules and paid time off.

Ultimately, happy, engaged, and skilled workers can help any company weather challenges in their industry.

Author profile. Kerrie Jordan is an accomplished technology executive serving as Vice President, Product Management, Data Platform at Epicor Software. In this role, Kerrie is responsible for steering the strategic direction of Epicor’s cloud-based solutions, ensuring their continued delivery of high-value innovation, security, and customer performance. Based in Richmond, Virginia, she brings more than ten years of extensive experience in ERP, supply chain, eCommerce, cloud computing, and product development business solutions. She can be reached at kerrie. jordan@epicor.com n