Production Manager (Hands-On Manufacturing)

About IronLeaf Designs

IronLeaf Designs is a growing manufacturing and fabrication company located in Charlotte, North Carolina. We specialize in custom CNC machining, metal fabrication, woodworking, laser processing, and made-to-order products for commercial, industrial, and OEM clients.

At IronLeaf, we combine skilled craftsmanship with modern manufacturing technology to turn ideas into high-quality finished products. Our work is diverse, hands-on, and constantly evolving—and we’re building a team of talented people who take pride in what they create.

We believe our people are an important part of our growth. We value craftsmanship, reliability, attention to detail, problem-solving, and a team-first mindset. Whether you bring years of experience in the trades or are looking for an opportunity to expand your skills, we want people who are motivated to learn, contribute, and do great work.

As we grow, we’re committed to creating opportunities for our employees to grow with us. Team members have the chance to work across a variety of equipment and processes, develop new skills, take on greater responsibility, and make a meaningful impact on the future of the company.

If you enjoy working with your hands, solving problems, building things you can be proud of, and being part of a growing company where your contributions are noticed and valued, IronLeaf Designs may be the place for you.

Position Overview

IronLeaf Designs is seeking an experienced, highly hands-on Production Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of our manufacturing floor.

This is not a desk-based management position. We are looking for a working manager who will be actively involved on the shop floor alongside the production team. The right candidate will be comfortable leading employees, organizing production, operating and troubleshooting equipment, performing quality control and final inspections, training team members, and stepping directly into production whenever needed.

This position reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO ) and will play a key role in building an efficient, organized, safe, and accountable production environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate daily manufacturing and production activities.
• Work directly alongside the production team on the shop floor.
• Establish daily priorities and assign work based on production schedules and deadlines.
• Monitor jobs throughout the production process to ensure work stays on schedule.
• Assist with machine setup, operation, troubleshooting, and production as needed.
• Supervise and support CNC, plasma, press brake, fabrication, and general production personnel.
• Perform and oversee quality control and final inspection of completed parts and products to ensure they meet drawings, specifications, tolerances, and company quality standards.
• Utilize precision measuring and inspection equipment; experience with CMM tools is preferred.
• Identify quality issues, determine root causes, and work with the production team to correct problems and prevent recurrence.
• Train new and existing employees on equipment, processes, safety procedures, quality requirements, and production expectations.
• Ensure employees have the materials, drawings, tooling, and information necessary to complete their work.
• Identify production bottlenecks and proactively resolve issues that could impact deadlines.
• Maintain high standards for quality, accuracy, productivity, and workmanship.
• Coordinate with inventory, shipping/receiving, and other operational functions.
• Maintain an organized, clean, and safe manufacturing environment.
• Ensure equipment is properly maintained and report or coordinate necessary repairs.
• Track production progress and communicate scheduling concerns, equipment issues, staffing needs, quality concerns, and other operational matters to the COO.
• Help develop and improve shop procedures, workflows, quality processes, and production standards as the company grows.
• Hold team members accountable while maintaining a professional, respectful, and productive work environment.
• Perform hands-on production work whenever necessary to keep jobs moving and meet customer deadlines.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience working in an industrial fabrication shop.
• Hands-on experience with CNC machinery, press brakes, and other industrial-grade fabrication equipment.
• Previous supervisory, team lead, or production management experience in a manufacturing or fabrication environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production workflow, quality control, and shop-floor efficiency.
• Ability to read and interpret production drawings, measurements, specifications, and tolerances.
• Experience performing quality control and final inspections using precision measuring tools.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot production and equipment issues.
• Ability to train, coach, lead, and hold production employees accountable.
• Ability to manage multiple jobs, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness and ability to work hands-on alongside the production team throughout the workday.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine) tools and inspection processes.
• Experience with CNC plasma cutting equipment.
• Experience with press brake setup and operation.
• Experience with saws, metalworking equipment, fabrication tools, and material handling equipment.
• Experience establishing or improving manufacturing workflows, quality procedures, and shop-floor processes.

The Person We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is a leader and a doer. This position requires someone who can manage production while remaining actively involved in the work being performed on the shop floor.

We're looking for someone who takes ownership. If a machine needs attention, a part doesn't meet specifications, an employee needs training, production is falling behind, or an important job needs additional hands, this manager should be willing and able to step in and help solve the problem.

This is not a position for someone looking to manage production from behind a desk. It is an active leadership role for an experienced fabrication professional who understands the equipment, understands the work, and enjoys leading a team while remaining directly involved in day-to-day production.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

This is an active manufacturing-floor position. Candidates should be comfortable:

• Standing and walking for extended periods.
• Working in an industrial manufacturing and fabrication environment.
• Bending, reaching, lifting, and performing hands-on production tasks.
• Working around machinery, equipment, metal, noise, and normal manufacturing conditions.
• Wearing required personal protective equipment and consistently enforcing safety procedures.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays

The pay range for this role is:
65,000 - 70,000 USD per year(Charlotte, NC)

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