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6 Signs Your Operation Needs a Team Refresh

Manufacturers and light industrial operations are facing unprecedented demand — and meeting production goals has never been more challenging. Oftentimes, the problem isn’t equipment, technology, or materials… It’s the team. In fact, according to Deloitte’s 2026 Manufacturing Industry Outlook, over one-third of manufacturing leaders say their top challenge isn’t tech, but making sure their teams have the skills to use it effectively.

Whether it’s reskilling, restructuring, or reengagement, here are 6 signs your manufacturing team needs a refresh:

#1 Targets Are Consistently Missed

If your team is falling short on output expectations week after week, take this as a warning sign. It could indicate:

• Mismatched skill sets for critical roles
• Overworked employees struggling to keep pace
• Gaps in knowledge or processes

Even the most advanced equipment won’t prevent missed output if the people operating it aren’t fully prepared or supported. Consider evolving the skillsets on your team to ensure it has the right capabilities to operate at full capacity. Not sure where to begin? Contact us.

#2 High Turnover or Constantly Changing Teams

Frequent quitting or switching up staff disrupts workflow and slows production. Teams that lack continuity often experience:

• Training inefficiencies
• Miscommunication
• Delays

When teams are constantly changing and onboarding slows, even a well-designed process can break down. A fresh look at team structure, defining old and new roles, skills mapping, training, or redesigning how work is done, can help your operation keep pace with demand.

#3 Bottlenecks Keep Popping Up in the Same Areas

When a certain station or process repeatedly slows production, it’s often less about the machinery and more about who’s operating it. Repeated bottlenecks suggest:

• A need for skill realignment
• Reassignment of responsibilities
• Additional support for more critical roles

Addressing current team capabilities and needs at these critical stations can prevent delays and keep production moving smoothly. Maybe you need to hire additional support…

#4 Morale Is Low, or Team Engagement Is Declining

A disengaged team can quietly drag down productivity. Some of the signs include:

• Lack of initiative on the line
• Increased mistakes or errors
• Complaints about workload or workflow

In its latest report, Deloitte noted that as manufacturers adopt smart manufacturing technologies and more complex processes, employees who aren’t fully trained or supported can feel overwhelmed, leading to disengagement. By refreshing roles, responsibilities, or training, managers can reignite engagement, improve efficiency, and help production stay on track.

#5 Inconsistent Training or Knowledge Gaps

When team members aren’t fully trained or have experience gaps, errors increase, and productivity suffers. Implementing a standardized training program ensures everyone has the skills needed. Deloitte’s Outlook suggests that to help industry leaders have resilience in the year ahead, manufacturers could use agentic AI to “capture workers’ tacit knowledge and generate standard operating procedures.” Essentially, ensuring everyone is properly prepared will improve output and, with the right use of AI, help companies gain a competitive advantage.

#6 Difficulty Scaling for Increased Demand

If production struggles when orders rise (especially during peak seasons), your team structure may not be adaptable enough. Signs include:

• Inability to onboard
• Overreliance on a few key employees
• Delay meeting deadlines

One recommendation for 2026 manufacturing challenges in demand from Deloitte’s report is building, buying, or borrowing. The three B’s represent investing in talent, recruiting external personnel, or hiring temporary workers. Recent insights also show that even non-wage investments are becoming increasingly important, like childcare, transportation, housing, growth, flexibility, and more. Supporting your team with the resources it needs helps ensure it meets demand and is strengthened for the future.

Bottom Line

If you’re seeing several of these signs in your workforce, it may be time to evaluate your strategy. Whether it’s reskilling existing staff, restructuring responsibilities, or improving engagement, taking action now can stabilize your operation and prepare you for upcoming demand.

These resets can help your production line run smoothly, hit targets consistently, and prepare your operation for the challenges of the next quarter. If you need contract, contract-to-hire, or permanent manufacturing talent, our recruiting team can help.