The Sandwiched Leader: Skills Every Mid-Level Manager Needs in Manufacturing
by Janelle Rabenold, Director
Leadership Development and Training Strategy
Manufacturers Resource Center
In manufacturing, mid-level managers — the leaders who guide other leaders — often find themselves caught in the middle. They’re expected to translate big-picture strategy from the executive team into practical action on the plant floor while developing the next generation of supervisors and team leads. It’s a pivotal role, but one that’s often overlooked in traditional leadership development.
Why this matters
Mid-level managers are truly the backbone of manufacturing success. They shape culture, coach performance, and keep departments aligned and moving in the same direction. And the data reinforces just how influential they are:
- Gallup reports that managers are responsible for 70% of the variance in team engagement.
- Another study shows 45% of mid-level managers feel burned out.
That level of burnout doesn’t stay contained — it trickles down to teams, affecting retention, productivity, and morale. When mid-level leaders struggle, the whole operation feels it.
What today’s sandwiched leaders need
To thrive in this demanding role, mid-level managers need a unique blend of skills that go far beyond traditional supervision:
- Strategic Communication: They must clearly communicate up and down the chain, advocating for their teams while aligning with organizational goals.
- Coaching and Development: Growing other leaders is central to their role – requiring a shift from task management to talent development.
- Operational Agility: In a fast-moving manufacturing environment, adaptability and resilience are key.
- Influence Without Authority: These leaders often drive change across departments without direct control, relying on trust and collaboration.
- Systems Thinking: Understanding how decisions impact safety, quality, throughput, and morale is essential for sustainable leadership.
Supporting the Leaders who hold everything together
To support these essential leaders, the Manufacturers Resource Center created the Leading Leaders course — a development program built specifically around the realities of manufacturing. Instead of a generic leadership curriculum, this course equips mid-level managers with practical tools they can use right away.
Participants learn how to:
- Lead with clarity. Coach with purpose
- Navigate complexity with confidence.
- Gain insights into how to build trust across layers
- Foster accountability
- Develop leadership capacity within their teams
It’s actionable, relevant, and designed to meet the needs of leaders who sit at one of the most influential — yet most demanding — spots in the organizational structure.
If your organization relies on mid-level leaders (and most do), we invite you to explore MRC’s Leading Leaders course with Janelle Rabenold
Janelle Rabenold | MRC – Director, Leadership Development and Training Strategy
Janelle brings a wealth of Leadership and Organizational Development experience to MRC’s Operational Excellence Program. As an accomplished professional with over 15 years of dedicated experience in Organizational Development, Janelle excels in guiding individuals and teams toward achieving their personal and business objectives, leveraging her expertise in leadership and talent development. She has earned a reputation as a trusted partner, coach, and facilitator, fostering growth and success for both colleagues and clients alike.
Janelle holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Albright College, and a Master’s of Science in Human Resource Management & Learning and Performance Management from Moravian University. Janelle is also a Certified Everything DiSC Practitioner.