Director of Manufacturing

Job Description

Job Description

About Firebolt Group

Firebolt Group isn’t just another company. We’re a global leader in brand illumination and smart print and signage solutions. From our full-scale manufacturing facility in Michigan, we design and build physical products that make brands shine — literally!

We partner with some of the world’s most recognized companies to create innovative LED signage and branded experiences that command attention, from eye-catching storefronts to iconic corporate landmarks. Our mission is simple yet powerful: to transform brand presence through design, engineering, and technology.

If you’re tenacious, curious, and driven, and you want to help shape how brands connect with the world, we want you on our team.

Company Size: $40M Annual Revenue | ~100 Plant Personnel | LED Signage

Position Summary

We are looking for an active, floor-visible Manufacturing Director to lead daily production operations, optimize throughput, and maximize output efficiency for a $40M LED signage plant in Michigan.

This role is 100% on-site and manages roughly 100 total facility personnel through departmental managers, translating revenue targets into efficient shop-floor execution while maintaining strict quality, lean, and safety standards.

Direct reports

• Production Manager
• Print Room Manager
• Production Assistant

Key Responsibilities

Production & Operational Efficiency

• Drive daily plant throughput to hit output, delivery, and quality KPIs across all shifts.
• Oversee master scheduling and workload balancing across assembly, print room, and engineering departments.
• Work directly on the production floor to identify bottlenecks, clear material/equipment blockers, and streamline assembly workflows.
• Monitor scrap rates, equipment uptime, and labor efficiency to reduce operating costs.

Continuous Improvement & Quality Control

• Drive active 5S and Lean Manufacturing practices across all floor workstations.
• Investigate defect root causes, component malfunctions, and assembly failures alongside Engineering.
• Standardize standard operating procedures (SOPs) and quality check-gates for LED assembly.

Team Leadership & Shop-Floor Management

• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate department managers and assembly supervisors.
• Manage workforce allocation, overtime planning, and headcount management for ~100 plant staff.
• Maintain a clean, safe work environment, ensuring compliance with all tools, equipment, and safety policies.
• Oversee end-of-shift operational protocols and plant security routines.

Requirements

Experience

• 10+ years in manufacturing/production environments, with 5+ years in shop-floor operational leadership.
• Proven track record in mid-to-high volume custom manufacturing (semi-automated assembly plants experience preferred).
• Experience managing facilities with $30M–$50M+ revenue and 75–100+ total headcount is preferred.
• General systems knowledge and computer proficiency are required; specific lean frameworks (e.g., 5S, Kanban, Kaizen) are useful but not mandatory.

Education

• Associate or Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Operations, or Engineering preferred.

Systems & Technical Proficiency

• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems
• Inventory and warehouse management software
• Project management and task-tracking platforms
• Workforce management, payroll, and HRIS systems
• Standard business desktop applications (spreadsheet, document, and presentation software)

Benefits

• Full medical, dental, and vision package
• 401(k) program + company match
• PTO + paid holidays