Manufacturing Production Operations Manager

Description

Our most important asset is our people. Who we are, what we do, how we do it and why we are passionate are all centerpieces of why we succeed.

We are proud to be recognized:

• Among America’s Best Midsize Employers by Forbes in 2021, 2022 and 2024
• As a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace for four consecutive years (2021-2025)

Role Summary

As the Production and Operations Manager , you will be responsible for the alignment and execution of supply chain, production operations, and inventory management. This role integrates demand planning, procurement, manufacturing execution, and logistics to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations while meeting customer delivery commitments.

The position provides direct leadership across production planning and execution, and serves as a key operational leader ensuring coordination between manufacturing, supply chain, and supporting functions.

In This Role, You Will Focus On….

Supply Chain, Production Planning & Material Flow

• Develop and execute integrated supply chain, production planning, and material flow strategies for Bankers Box aligned with business, customer service, operational, and cost objectives.
• Own and maintain the Master Production Schedule (MPS), balancing customer demand, material availability, labor, machine capacity, and production constraints.
• Align demand forecasts with production capacity to develop achievable, optimized schedules that support service levels and operational efficiency.
• Lead capacity planning to balance demand, workforce requirements, equipment utilization, and inventory availability while minimizing shortage and disruption risks.
• Optimize production sequencing, batch sizes, and changeovers to improve line efficiency, reduce downtime, and maximize output.
• Set and manage safety stock levels for raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods to support production continuity and customer service.
• Improve inventory turns and reduce excess, slow-moving, and obsolete inventory through disciplined planning and material management.

Manufacturing Operations Leadership

• Provide leadership and oversight of daily production operations to ensure schedule attainment, operational efficiency, quality compliance, and safety performance.
• Partner with Production Supervisors and cross-functional teams to execute production plans and resolve real-time constraints, including labor availability, downtime, material shortages, and equipment limitations.
• Drive manufacturing performance improvements in throughput, OEE, scrap reduction, labor productivity, plant waste, and overall operational effectiveness.
• Lead escalation and resolution of production issues impacting delivery, quality, safety, or cost.
• Ensure adherence to safety, quality, environmental, and operational standards across manufacturing operations.
• Promote lean manufacturing principles, standard work, and continuous improvement initiatives, including Advantage Fellowes.

Procurement & Supplier Management

• Lead sourcing, supplier selection, and supplier performance management to support cost, quality, delivery, and production requirements.
• Negotiate supplier pricing, contracts, and terms to support business objectives and operational needs.
• Partner with suppliers to ensure continuity of supply, responsiveness to changing production demand, and proactive issue resolution.
• Drive supplier improvement initiatives and mitigate risks related to supply availability, lead times, cost, quality, and delivery performance.

Cost Control, Continuous Improvement & Operational Performance

• Analyze costs across supply chain and manufacturing operations to identify savings opportunities and improve profitability.
• Lead cross-functional cost reduction and process improvement initiatives across material, labor, conversion cost, logistics, sourcing, and production operations.
• Monitor and drive performance against key operational KPIs, including:
• Production efficiency and OEE
• Inventory turns
• Bankers Box service level
• Plant waste
• Safety performance
• Schedule attainment
• Cost reduction and productivity improvements
• Utilize root cause analysis and corrective action processes to address recurring production, supply, inventory, quality, and operational issues.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Business Alignment

• Collaborate closely with Production, Quality, Engineering, Finance, Demand Planning, Procurement, Maintenance, and Warehousing teams to ensure operational alignment.
• Communicate production constraints, supply risks, recovery plans, and service impacts clearly across the organization.
• Support new product introductions by ensuring production readiness, material availability, supplier alignment, and process capability.
• Develop and maintain business continuity plans for supply chain or production disruptions.

Systems, Data & Operational Execution

• Ensure accurate and consistent use of Oracle ERP/MRP systems across supply chain, production, inventory, and manufacturing transactions.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for manufacturing transactions, including WIP, job management, inventory movements, and material flow.
• Maintain data integrity between system transactions and physical operations.
• Troubleshoot system and inventory discrepancies and drive alignment between physical and system flows.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, coach, and develop teams across production, planning, procurement, scheduling, maintenance, materials, inventory, and warehousing.
• Build a culture of accountability, safety, operational discipline, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Provide coaching, training, and development on operational excellence, system processes, and standard work.
• Develop cross-functional coverage and backup support for key roles across planning, inventory, materials, and production execution.

What You Bring to the Team

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; degree in Operations Management, Materials Management, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• 10+ years of supply chain management experience, including strategy, supplier management, planning, procurement, and inventory management within a manufacturing and/or sourcing environment.
• Experience in consumer products is strongly preferred.
• 7+ years of experience working directly with suppliers, including domestic travel within the U.S.
• 5+ years of experience in supply chain capacity planning or related supply chain operations.
• Proven experience leading teams and managing individuals from diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise.
• Experience supporting or leading cross-functional New Product Development processes.
• Knowledge of Total Quality Management, Lean principles, and continuous improvement practices.
• Experience with sustainability management is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of Oracle manufacturing and distribution applications is strongly preferred; experience with other ERP and/or materials management systems will also be considered.

The hiring range for this position in Itasca is $155,000 - $165,000 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills and experience, among other factors. An annual incentive may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered. An overview of our benefits offering is available here: Fellowes Benefits Overview.

Fellowes Brands - A Family Business Since 1917
For over a century, Fellowes has been committed to positively impacting people through our culture, relationships and solutions. We have evolved toward relevance with each decade and generation, responding to a constantly changing world. Today, we are on an ambitious journey to grow our influence and impact in enhancing and maximizing work experiences worldwide. We are a “Brand on the Move” and remain committed to finding new ways to help people work better and feel better.

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All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Fellowes, Inc. does not accept unsolicited resumes from any agencies that have not signed a mutual service agreement. All unsolicited resumes will be considered Fellowes' property, and Fellowes will not be obligated to pay a referral fee. This includes resumes submitted directly to hiring managers without contacting the Talent Acquisition Department