Senior Production Manager

At Gatekeeper Systems, we’re revolutionizing retail loss prevention and customer safety through a powerful combination of physical deterrents and cutting‑edge technology—including AI, computer vision, and facial recognition. As a global leader with over 25 years of industry excellence and a growing, diverse team of 500 employees across offices in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, we’re driven by innovation, integrity, and impact. Join us and be part of a mission‑focused team that's making a real difference in the future of retail, providing innovative solutions and services that redefine industry standards. Role Summary The Production Manager – Manufacturing & Warehouse Operations is responsible for leading all production and warehouse activities within a high‑growth, technology‑driven environment. This role drives operational excellence through data‑driven decision‑making, Lean Six Sigma methodologies, and disciplined execution across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people performance (SQDCP). The Production Manager owns throughput optimization, process stability, inventory accuracy, and labor efficiency while building scalable systems to support rapid business growth. This position partners cross‑functionally with Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain to reduce variation, improve product quality, and enhance customer outcomes. Success in this role requires strong analytical capability, high emotional intelligence, and the ability to translate operational data into actionable strategies while developing high‑performing teams. Essential Job Functions Lead and own end‑to‑end production and configuration operations, ensuring alignment to safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people (SQDCP) performance targets Establish, calculate, and manage key operational KPIs including efficiency, First Pass Yield (FPY), Defects per Unit (DPU), On‑Time In Full (OTIF), inventory turns, and labor utilization Ensure accuracy, integrity, and daily visibility of all operational performance data; drive accountability through disciplined KPI review cadence Analyze KPI trends and performance data to identify gaps, prioritize improvement activities, and drive measurable operational outcomes Conduct time studies and cycle time analysis to establish accurate labor standards, validate efficiencies, and identify capacity opportunities Continuously evaluate and improve cycle times, line balance, and throughput performance to optimize productivity and meet customer demand Assess and redesign manufacturing layouts, workstations, and material flow paths to improve efficiency, eliminate waste, and support scalable growth Align production operations to takt time and demand signals, ensuring balanced flow and minimal overproduction or waiting Lead structured root‑cause analysis using methodologies such as 5‑Why, Fishbone (Ishikawa), A3, and DMAIC to resolve operational and quality issues Identify process variation, system constraints, and inefficiencies; implement corrective and preventive actions that drive sustainable performance improvements Drive waste elimination across all areas of production and warehouse operations, including motion, waiting, defects, inventory, overproduction, and over‑processing Own inventory reduction initiatives through improved demand alignment, Kanban systems, and material flow optimization Monitor and improve inventory performance including days on hand, aging, excess, and obsolete materials Partner cross‑functionally with Materials, Quality, and Engineering to align supply, improve flow, and reduce operational constraints Develop and execute production schedules, labor plans, and sequencing strategies that align with customer demand and operational capacity Monitor daily production performance including output, downtime, and labor efficiency; adjust operations proactively to meet targets Ensure adherence to standardized work, process discipline, and operational controls to drive consistency and repeatability Own quality performance by driving improvements in FPY and DPU through process control, data analysis, and defect reduction initiatives Support new product introduction (NPI) through manufacturability analysis, pre‑production builds, and validation of process capability Promote and enforce a proactive safety culture with full accountability for safe work practices and continuous risk reduction Lead, coach, and develop supervisors and team members in Lean principles, problem‑solving methodologies, and data‑driven decision‑making Build a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement through strong leadership and high emotional intelligence Develop and implement scalable systems, standard work, and operational controls aligned with Lean and QMS principles Drive continuous improvement initiatives aligned with business objectives, focusing on throughput, cost reduction, and operational efficiency Improve operational visibility through the use of dashboards, reporting tools, and digital systems to enable real‑time decision‑making Qualification Requirements 5–8+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, warehouse, or production operations, with demonstrated ownership of operational performance outcomes Proven experience leading operations in a light manufacturing and warehouse environment, including production, material flow, inventory management, and facility operations Demonstrated application of Lean Manufacturing principles including 5S, line flow optimization, Kanban systems, standard work, and line balancing, with measurable improvements in efficiency and throughput Strong working knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies, including Lean Six Sigma principles and structured problem‑solving tools (5‑Why, Fishbone, A3, DMAIC) Proven ability to manage and improve operational performance using KPIs, metrics, and data‑driven decision‑making Experience calculating and analyzing key operational metrics, including efficiency, cycle time, First Pass Yield (FPY), Defects per Unit (DPU), On‑Time In Full (OTIF), and inventory performance Demonstrated experience conducting time studies, cycle time analysis, and labor modeling to establish standards and improve productivity Strong understanding of production flow, capacity planning, bottleneck identification, and throughput optimization Experience managing production and warehouse teams, including supervisors and frontline employees, with responsibility for performance, engagement, and development Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and the ability to extract, analyze, and interpret operational data Working knowledge of manufacturing, warehousing, plant housekeeping, and facility maintenance operations Other duties as assigned Education, Experience, & Specializations Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations management, supply chain, mathematics, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum of 5 years of experience in manufacturing or warehouse operations leadership. Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher preferred) or demonstrated equivalent experience applying structured continuous improvement methodologies. Experience in light manufacturing within a warehouse environment strongly preferred. Specialized Skills Strong analytical thinking with the ability to translate data into actionable operational improvement. High emotional intelligence with the ability to influence, coach, and develop individuals and teams. Advanced problem‑solving capability using structured methodologies such as 8D, 5‑Why, and root cause analysis. Effective communication skills across all levels of the organization, including frontline teams and senior leadership. Strong business acumen with understanding of cost drivers, labor efficiency, and operational performance. Language Skills Ability to read, analyze and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally across all levels of the organization. Mathematical Skills Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent and to draw and effectively utilize graphical analysis. Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including the ability to calculate and interpret operational KPIs and performance metrics. Ability to analyze cycle times, efficiency, utilization, and throughput data to drive operational decisions. Proficiency in Excel and data analysis tools to support modeling, reporting, and performance tracking. Reasoning Ability Ability to solve complex operational problems involving multiple variables, constraints, and interdependencies. Capability to translate data insights into actionable and sustainable process improvements. Strong systems‑thinking approach, understanding the relationships between production, materials, and quality. Ability to evaluate situations, identify root causes, and implement effective corrective and preventive actions. Other Skills And Abilities Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and ERP/MRP systems, with the ability to analyze data, generate reports, and support data‑driven decision‑making. Demonstrates a high level of professionalism, accountability, and leadership presence in all aspects of day‑to‑day responsibilities. Communicates effectively with clarity, respect, and emotional intelligence when interacting with internal and external stakeholders. Builds strong working relationships across functions and levels of the organization, fostering collaboration and alignment. Demonstrates high self‑awareness and actively seeks feedback to improve leadership effectiveness and team performance. Leads with a positive, solutions‑oriented mindset while maintaining high standards for performance, accountability, and results. Operates with integrity and respect for organizational structure, communication protocols, and company policies. Consistently drives continuous improvement in personal performance, team effectiveness, and overall operational results. Promotes a culture of extreme ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement across teams. Aligns daily actions and decisions with company goals, operational priorities, and long‑term business objectives. Physical Demands Ability to work in both office and warehouse/manufacturing environments, requiring regular use of computers, phones, and standard office equipment. Ability to perform repetitive motions and tasks associated with computer use, data entry, and operational reporting. Ability to stand, walk, sit, and move throughout the facility for extended periods while conducting production oversight, team engagement, and operational reviews. Ability to visually observe operations, inspect processes, and assess work areas to ensure safety, quality, and performance standards are met. Ability to communicate effectively, including speaking, hearing, and interacting with team members in both office and production floor environments. Ability to use hands and fingers to operate tools, equipment, keyboards, and controls as required in both administrative and operational tasks. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the team member occasionally works near moving mechanical parts inside the warehouse environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. It includes office equipment, such as phones, computers, and printer/copy machines. Disclaimer This Job Description is a general overview of the requirements for the position. It is not designed to contain, nor should it be interpreted as being all inclusive of every task which may be assigned or required. It is subject to change, in alignment with company/department needs and priorities. Presence of the job description or role does not guarantee employment. #J-18808-Ljbffr