Production Manager - Manufacturing Operations

We have an immediate opening for a Production Manager. The Production Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing daily manufacturing operations across three core production departments: Straws, Kitting & Packaging, and Injection Molding within a fast‑paced food packaging and plastics manufacturing environment. This role provides direct leadership and oversight to four shift supervisors to ensure safe, efficient, and high‑quality production operations across all shifts. Essential Duties & Responsibilities Operational Leadership Lead and oversee daily manufacturing operations for the Straws, Kitting & Packaging, and Injection Molding departments across all shifts. Directly manage and support four shift supervisors and maintenance technicians to ensure operational effectiveness and equipment reliability. Ensure production schedules, efficiency goals, quality standards, and customer demands are consistently achieved. Monitor and analyze operational metrics including productivity, downtime, scrap, labor utilization, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Maintain strong floor presence while providing hands‑on leadership and operational support within the manufacturing environment. Coordinate staffing, labor allocation, and production priorities to meet changing business needs and customer demands. Drive accountability and operational discipline throughout all production departments. Department Oversight Responsibilities Injection Molding Operations Oversee the production of plastic cutlery products including knives, forks, spoons, soup spoons, soda spoons, taster spoons, and sporks. Manage operations involving polystyrene and polypropylene resin materials. Support and optimize production performance across three injection molding machines. Partner with maintenance and engineering teams to improve machine uptime, process consistency, and overall production efficiency. Straw Manufacturing Operations Oversee the manufacturing of multiple straw product lines including Milk, Spike, Stirrer, Jumbo, Super Jumbo, Giant, Flex, and Colossal straws. Manage production operations involving both single‑head and dual‑head extrusion equipment. Oversee packaging processes including hand pack, handbag, auto‑bag, and chip pack operations. Ensure product quality, color consistency, and packaging accuracy for customer‑specific straw programs. Kitting & Packaging Operations Lead operations for automated and manual kitting and packaging processes supporting customer‑specific product kits. Oversee five robotic automated kitting lines supporting single‑wrap and 3‑piece cutlery kits. Manage four Intellifeed kitting machines along with manual, horizontal, and vertical kitting equipment. Coordinate production priorities to maximize robotic automation and Intellifeed machinery efficiencies while utilizing manual lines during peak demand periods. Oversee assembly of customized kits containing cutlery, condiments, straws, moist wipes, napkins, and other customer‑required components. Leadership & Team Development Coach, mentor, and develop shift supervisors and maintenance technicians to strengthen leadership capabilities and operational performance. Conduct performance evaluations, corrective actions, and employee development planning. Foster a culture focused on accountability, communication, teamwork, and employee engagement. Support employee retention initiatives and workforce development efforts. Partner with HR regarding staffing, attendance management, employee relations, and performance concerns. Safety & Compliance Promote and maintain a strong safety‑first culture throughout all manufacturing areas. Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, GMPs, food safety standards, and company policies. Conduct safety audits, incident investigations, and corrective action follow‑up. Ensure employees consistently follow safe work practices and PPE requirements. Quality & Continuous Improvement Partner with quality teams to ensure products meet customer specifications and food packaging standards. Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational efficiency, waste reduction, scrap reduction, and process optimization. Utilize Lean Manufacturing and problem‑solving methodologies to improve manufacturing performance. Support investigations related to quality concerns, customer complaints, and process deviations. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, or related field preferred. 7+ years of manufacturing leadership experience required. Previous experience managing supervisors and multiple production departments required. Experience in plastics manufacturing, food packaging, extrusion, injection molding, automated packaging, or related manufacturing environments strongly preferred. Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational metrics. Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and employee development experience. Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and decision‑making abilities. Excellent communication and organizational skills. Proficient in Microsoft Office and manufacturing/ERP systems. Preferred Skills & Experience Experience overseeing high‑speed manufacturing and automated production environments. Knowledge of food‑grade manufacturing and GMP compliance. Experience with extrusion equipment, robotic automation, and injection molding operations. Ability to improve production efficiency, reduce downtime, and minimize scrap. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred. Working Conditions Manufacturing plant environment with exposure to noise, moving machinery, heat, and production equipment. Frequent walking, standing, and movement throughout production areas. Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends or off‑shift support, based on operational needs. Benefits That Matter Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage 401k with company match Short and Long‑Term Disability (STD/LTD) Company‑paid Life Insurance FSA’s for Medical & Dependent Care Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – counseling, financial tools, legal help & more Wellness program Cancer Expert Now – access to expert consultations for cancer diagnosis and treatment guidance And more! #J-18808-Ljbffr