Production Manager

Production Manager

The Production Manager is responsible for leading all production operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement objectives. This role provides strategic and day-to-day leadership to production teams, ensuring efficient manufacturing processes, continuous improvement, and a culture of accountability and operational excellence. The Production Manager partners closely with Quality, Maintenance, Safety, Human Resources, and Supply Chain teams to drive business results while developing a highly engaged workforce.

Key Responsibilities

Production Leadership

• Direct and oversee daily manufacturing operations to ensure production schedules, customer requirements, and productivity targets are consistently achieved.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to safety, quality, efficiency, scrap, downtime, and labor utilization.
• Identify and implement process improvements to increase productivity, reduce operating costs, and improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Lead capacity planning and resource allocation to support current and future business demands.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and operational standards.

Quality Management

• Champion a culture of quality throughout the operation, ensuring adherence to customer specifications and internal quality standards.
• Partner with Quality teams to investigate defects, customer complaints, and non-conformances while developing sustainable corrective actions.
• Utilize data and root cause analysis tools to drive continuous reduction in scrap, rework, and defects.
• Support audits, quality certifications, and compliance initiatives.
• Promote proactive quality ownership across all production employees.

Employee Engagement & Leadership

• Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performance work environment built on trust, accountability, and teamwork.
• Coach, mentor, and develop supervisors and hourly team members to maximize performance and career growth.
• Conduct regular employee communication meetings, shift huddles, and feedback sessions.
• Lead employee engagement initiatives focused on retention, recognition, safety, and development.
• Drive performance management processes, including goal setting, coaching, and corrective action when necessary.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, and waste reduction.
• Utilize problem-solving methodologies such as Six Sigma, Root Cause Analysis, 5 Why, and Kaizen events.
• Establish action plans to achieve operational and financial performance goals.
• Support implementation of new processes, equipment, and technology improvements.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all production activities are conducted in accordance with safety regulations and company policies.
• Promote a safety-first culture through visible leadership, accountability, and employee involvement.
• Investigate incidents and near misses, implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Maintain compliance with OSHA regulations and environmental requirements.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Business, or related field preferred.
• Equivalent manufacturing leadership experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirements.

Experience

• 7+ years of manufacturing leadership experience, preferably within extrusion, plastics, metals, or related manufacturing environments.
• 3+ years managing supervisors and production teams in a high-volume manufacturing setting.
• Demonstrated success improving quality performance, productivity, employee engagement, and operational efficiency.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong leadership and employee development skills.
• Proven ability to build high-performing and engaged teams.
• Comprehensive understanding of quality systems, process improvement, and manufacturing operations.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and conflict resolution skills.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and manufacturing reporting tools.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Safety performance (TRIR, near-miss reporting, incident reduction)
• On-time delivery performance
• First-pass yield and quality metrics
• Scrap and rework reduction
• Labor productivity and efficiency
• Equipment uptime/OEE
• Employee engagement and retention
• Continuous improvement project completion
• Customer complaint reduction

Leadership Competencies

• People Development
• Accountability
• Strategic Thinking
• Operational Excellence
• Quality Focus
• Customer Orientation
• Change Management
• Effective Communication
• Team Building
• Results Driven