Manager, Production Operations

Manager, Production Operations

Solon, 31999 Aurora Road, United States onsite

Playaway Products is a company built on a simple belief: that everyone should have access to the joy of stories and learning, without barriers. For more than 20 years, we've created thoughtfully designed technology that connects people to high-quality content from the world's best publishers, developers, and studios. What started with a single pre-loaded audiobook player has grown into a family of products built for institutional circulation, where reliability, ease of use, and trust matter as much as innovation. We design for real-world conditions and make deliberate tradeoffs to prioritize access, durability, and ease of use over flash or novelty. Today, we serve public libraries, schools, the military, and other institutional circulation markets. The work we do shows up every day in the lives of readers and learners — often in places where equitable access to technology and learning matters most. As our products and partnerships grow, so does the opportunity to shape what access to learning looks like next. At Playaway, discovery begins with curiosity, and our culture values ownership, collaboration, and responsibility. This is a place for people who care about impact, are comfortable navigating ambiguity, and want to help build what comes next.

Job Description

The Manager, Production Operations ensures Production has the people, processes, resources, and leadership needed to safely deliver quality products on time and at the expected cost while continuously improving performance. This role sets the tone for the Production organization and is accountable for building a high-performing, engaged, and accountable team. The Manager, Production Operations develops the capabilities of the Production leadership team and establishes clear ownership throughout the organization. The Manager, Production Operations balances daily operational performance with the longer-term development of people, processes, capacity, systems, and continuous improvement. The role leads the Production system rather than becoming the primary person solving day-to-day floor issues.

Key Responsibilities

• Production Leadership and Performance
• People Leadership and Development
• Capacity, Labor and Resource Planning
• Safety and Quality
• Productivity and Cost Management
• Process and Continuous Improvement
• Production Systems and Data
• Cross-Functional Leadership

Qualifications

Seven or more years of progressive experience in production, manufacturing, operations, or a related environment, including at least three years of people-leadership experience. Demonstrated experience leading through frontline leaders is strongly preferred, with a proven ability to coach, develop, and hold leaders and employees accountable. Experience with capacity planning, labor planning, resource allocation, operating rhythms, and KPI-based performance management. Demonstrated success improving production performance, productivity, quality, processes, and cost through standard work and continuous-improvement practices. Strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability to use operational data to make decisions, communicate risks, and drive improvement. Experience with ERP, MRP, or other production-management systems; NetSuite experience is a plus. Bachelor's degree in Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline preferred, or equivalent relevant experience.

Leadership Profile

The successful Manager, Production Operations leads through others by developing an accountable Production leadership team and building strong, sustainable systems. This leader combines hands-on floor visibility with strategic oversight, anticipates operational needs, uses data to guide decisions, and fosters trust and employee engagement while balancing safety, quality, service, people, productivity, and cost.

Working Conditions

Work is performed primarily in a clean, well-lit, climate-controlled production and warehouse environment. The position requires regular movement throughout the Production floor, extended periods of sitting or standing, regular computer use, and the ability to push, pull, bend, and lift objects weighing up to 35 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. Full-time and qualified part-time employees are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program. Our range of benefits include, but are not limited to, Medical/Prescription drug insurance, Dental, Vision, Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, Pre-Tax and Roth 401(k), Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life/AD&D Insurance, Student Loan Repayment Program, Educational Assistance & generous paid time off.