Production Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Aerotek is hiring Production Managers/Manufacturing Managers for a manufacturing facility in Lexington, TN. These positions are direct hire opportunities paying $90,000-$130,000. Shifts listed below. If interested and qualified, please apply for immediate consideration.

1 2nd Shift Production Manager: 2:30PM-10:30PM Monday-Friday

1 3rd Shift Production Manager: 10:30PM-6:30AM Monday-Friday

1 POTENTIAL 1st Shift Production Manager: 6:30AM-2:30PM Monday-Friday

**This role is critical to the shift operations. Applicants should expect to work 50 hours per week - this may include 2 Saturdays per month (3-4 hours) to ensure their shift is performing well.**

Job Description

The Manufacturing Manager / Production Shift Manager oversees all manufacturing operations on an assigned shift, providing direct leadership to supervisors across Welding, CNC Machining, Paint, Assembly, and other production areas. This role carries full accountability for shift performance, safety, quality, delivery, and cost metrics, while managing a workforce of approximately 50–70 employees. The position requires a hands-on leader who spends most of their time on the production floor, driving operational excellence, coaching supervisors and teams, and using data-driven insights to improve key performance indicators.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction for manufacturing operations during the assigned shift, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality production.
• Lead and develop departmental supervisors overseeing Welding, CNC Machining, Paint, Assembly, Fabrication, and other production operations.
• Manage and support a workforce of approximately 50–70 employees, fostering a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor and improve key operational KPIs, including on-time delivery, scrap reduction, labor efficiency, safety performance, and customer quality metrics.
• Oversee production planning and shift execution to meet daily, weekly, and monthly output and delivery targets.
• Collaborate closely with Production, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Materials, and Supply Chain teams to resolve issues and optimize processes.
• Use Microsoft Excel for data analysis, KPI tracking, pivot tables, charts, and operational reporting to support data-driven decision-making.
• Develop and deliver clear, concise presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint for plant leadership reviews, operational updates, and business presentations.
• Leverage Microsoft Power BI to analyze manufacturing performance, build dashboards, visualize trends, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, and cost, using problem-solving and root-cause analysis methods.
• Coach, mentor, and develop supervisors, team leads, and production employees to build high-performing teams.
• Ensure adherence to safety policies and procedures, including proper use of personal protective equipment and safe work practices.
• Identify and address production bottlenecks, equipment issues, and process inefficiencies to maintain smooth operations.
• Communicate shift performance, challenges, and action plans to leadership and cross-functional partners in a clear and timely manner.
• Maintain a strong presence on the production floor (approximately 80–90% of time), actively engaging with operators and supervisors.
• Support expansion efforts, including integration of additional CNC workstations and welding bays, while maintaining production standards.
• Work the required hours to support shift operations, including occasional Saturday work, to ensure shift performance and stability.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 5 years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Previous experience leading supervisors, team leads, or large production teams.
• Experience supporting multiple manufacturing processes such as welding, machining, CNC operations, paint, assembly, fabrication, or similar operations.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing KPI management and production planning.
• Proven experience driving improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost metrics.
• Demonstrated success managing and improving operational KPIs such as on-time delivery, scrap reduction, labor efficiency, safety performance, and customer quality metrics.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills with a focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Strong communication, coaching, and team-building abilities.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data analysis, KPI tracking, pivot tables, charts, and operational reporting.
• Strong experience developing and delivering presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint for leadership reviews and operational updates.
• Experience utilizing Microsoft Power BI to analyze manufacturing performance, create dashboards, visualize trends, and support data-driven decision-making.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and manufacturing reporting systems.
• Hands-on leadership style with the ability to be present on the production floor and engage directly with teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in superintendent or similar shift leadership roles within complex manufacturing environments.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including Production, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Materials, and Supply Chain.
• Strong leadership presence with a demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and develop supervisors and employees.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, complex manufacturing environment with multiple processes and expanding capacity.
• Ability to create and interpret operational reports, charts, and dashboards to guide performance improvements.

Why Work Here?

Employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that supports health, financial security, and personal well-being, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with employer matching, paid time off, and access to an Employee Assistance Program. The organization invests in professional growth through tuition reimbursement and offers employee discounts and access to fitness facilities. Additional benefits such as life insurance and flexible spending accounts provide further flexibility and protection, while the culture emphasizes continuous improvement, safety, and support for employees both on and off the job.

Work Environment

This role is based in a large, non–temperature-controlled manufacturing plant with expansive production areas, including more than 20 CNC workstations and over 40 welding bays, with further expansion planned. The position is highly floor-focused, with approximately 80–90% of time spent on the production floor and about 10% in an office setting; it is not a desk-only role. Because this role is critical to shift operations, you should expect to work around 50 hours per week, which may include 2 Saturdays per month for 3–4 hours to ensure shift performance. Work attire includes jeans or work pants with short- or long-sleeve shirts, with steel-toe footwear required for safety. Hearing and eye protection are required in all manufacturing departments. The facility can become hot during summer months; to support comfort, the company provides cold drinks and popsicles, along with large fans at each workstation, and there are plans in place to fully air-condition the plant within the next year.