OPERATIONS MANAGER:
RANDY WILLIS
“It’s awesome that you can go anywhere in
the world and see your product.”
RAndy’s role at a Glance:
Role: Operations Manager, Castings
Company: Mercury Marine
Career Start: ___
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice
Path: Production Supervisor (Assembly, Foundry, Manufacturing) → Operations Manager
Took a Chance on Something Completely Different
“I was going to school for my criminal justice degree… in hopes that I was going to become a cop one day.”
That was the plan. Until an opportunity came up at Mercury Marine.
Randy had no background in manufacturing or technical experience, but a hockey friend who worked there saw something in him: leadership potential. He encouraged Randy to apply for a production supervisor role. Ten years later, he’s glad he made the switch, and now encourages young people to check out careers in manufacturing and metal casting.
Hands-On, High-Tech, and Constantly Evolving
“We've done open house events for families, and getting to see all the robots, and [the kids] get really excited about it.”
Randy had been familiar with manufacturing before he got into it. He always thought the robots were cool.
But seeing it all come to life is what really drew him in. The scale of the robots and the camera systems needed to locate parts, and how it all works together is truly impressive.
And the continuous need for improving processes and solving problems makes his career in metal casting dynamic and engaging. It’s fast-moving, technical, and full of opportunities to learn something new.
Leadership in Sports Translates to Manufacturing
“Being able to help our teams be successful… to help employees achieve their goals is really fun.”
For Randy, the most rewarding part of the job is the people. Through years of playing and coaching hockey, he had already developed the skills that matter most: communication, accountability, and bringing out the best in others.
That translates perfectly into manufacturing leadership roles. His friend saw how he interacted with kids and coached them to be the best that they can be. It’s what got him in the door, and what has helped him grow ever since.
Work You Can See in the World and Be Proud of
“You can go anywhere in the world and see our product. You can put your hands on it.”
It’s really satisfying to be able to spot something out there in the wild that you took part in making. Randy’s dad has a Mercury and loves being able to tell his friends that his son works there. That sense of pride and impact is hard to beat.
More Opportunities Than You’d Expect
“The opportunities we have here at Mercury are pretty endless.”
From assembly, operations, manufacturing supervision, stainless steel foundry, and back to aluminum casting, the variety of jobs and processes has kept his career path interesting, and allowed him to keep growing.
Randy started in high pressure die casting, learning the process and getting hands-on experience with the technology. From there, he moved through multiple roles and departments before landing in his current role as operations manager.
Stay Open. You Never Know Where It Could Lead.
“Don’t close any door to any opportunity… you never know what could be out there for you.”
Randy didn’t plan to end up anywhere near the manufacturing world. But by staying curious and taking a chance on something different, he found a path that’s given him growth, leadership opportunities, and a career he’s proud to talk about.
