Production Manager - Manufacturing Operations

Production ManagerWe have an immediate opening for a Production Manager. The Production Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing daily manufacturing operations across three core production departments: Straws, Kitting & Packaging, and Injection Molding within a fast-paced food packaging and plastics manufacturing environment. This role provides direct leadership and oversight to four Shift Supervisors to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production operations across all shifts.The Production Manager will drive operational excellence by focusing on safety, productivity, quality, employee engagement, equipment reliability, and continuous improvement initiatives. This position plays a key role in achieving production goals, improving efficiencies, minimizing downtime and waste, and supporting a culture of accountability and teamwork throughout the facility. The role reports to the Plant Manager.Essential Duties & ResponsibilitiesOperational LeadershipLead and oversee daily manufacturing operations for the Straws, Kitting & Packaging, and Injection Molding departments across all shifts.Directly manage and support four Shift Supervisors and Maintenance Technicians to ensure operational effectiveness and equipment reliability.Ensure production schedules, efficiency goals, quality standards, and customer demands are consistently achieved.Monitor and analyze operational metrics including productivity, downtime, scrap, labor utilization, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).Maintain strong floor presence while providing hands-on leadership and operational support within the manufacturing environment.Coordinate staffing, labor allocation, and production priorities to meet changing business needs and customer demands.Drive accountability and operational discipline throughout all production departments.Department Oversight ResponsibilitiesInjection Molding OperationsOversee the production of plastic cutlery products including knives, forks, spoons, soup spoons, soda spoons, taster spoons, and sporks.Manage operations involving polystyrene and polypropylene resin materials.Support and optimize production performance across three injection molding machines.Partner with Maintenance and Engineering teams to improve machine uptime, process consistency, and overall production efficiency.Straw Manufacturing OperationsOversee the manufacturing of multiple straw product lines including Milk, Spike, Stirrer, Jumbo, Super Jumbo, Giant, Flex, and Colossal straws.Manage production operations involving both single-head and dual-head extrusion equipment.Oversee packaging processes including hand pack, handbag, auto-bag, and chip pack operations.Ensure product quality, color consistency, and packaging accuracy for customer-specific straw programs.Kitting & Packaging OperationsLead operations for automated and manual kitting and packaging processes supporting customer-specific product kits.Oversee five robotic automated kitting lines supporting single-wrap and 3-piece cutlery kits.Manage four Intellifeed kitting machines along with manual, horizontal, and vertical kitting equipment.Coordinate production priorities to maximize robotic automation and Intellifeed machine efficiencies while utilizing manual lines during peak demand periods.Oversee assembly of customized kits containing cutlery, condiments, straws, moist wipes, napkins, and other customer-required components.Leadership & Team DevelopmentCoach, mentor, and develop Shift Supervisors and Maintenance Technicians to strengthen leadership capabilities and operational performance.Conduct performance evaluations, corrective actions, and employee development planning.Foster a culture focused on accountability, communication, teamwork, and employee engagement.Support employee retention initiatives and workforce development efforts.Partner with HR regarding staffing, attendance management, employee relations, and performance concerns.Safety & CompliancePromote and maintain a strong safety-first culture throughout all manufacturing areas.Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, GMPs, food safety standards, and company policies.Conduct safety audits, incident investigations, and corrective action follow-up.Ensure employees consistently follow safe work practices and PPE requirements.Quality & Continuous ImprovementPartner with Quality teams to ensure products meet customer specifications and food packaging standards.Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational efficiency, waste reduction, scrap reduction, and process optimization.Utilize Lean Manufacturing and problem-solving methodologies to improve manufacturing performance.Support investigations related to quality concerns, customer complaints, and process deviations.QualificationsBachelor's degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, or related field preferred.7+ years of manufacturing leadership experience required.Previous experience managing supervisors and multiple production departments required.Experience in plastics manufacturing, food packaging, extrusion, injection molding, automated packaging, or related manufacturing environments strongly preferred.Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational metrics.Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and employee development experience.Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and decision-making abilities.Excellent communication and organizational skills.Proficient in Microsoft Office and manufacturing/ERP systems.Preferred Skills & ExperienceExperience overseeing high-speed manufacturing and automated production environments.Knowledge of food-grade manufacturing and GMP compliance.Experience with extrusion equipment, robotic automation, and injection molding operations.Ability to improve production efficiency, reduce downtime, and minimize scrap.Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.Working ConditionsManufacturing plant environment with exposure to noise, moving machinery, heat, and production equipment.Frequent walking, standing, and movement throughout production areas.Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends or off-shift support, based on operational needs.More than a job. Grow, belong, and make a difference.At D&W Fine Pack, we don't just make packaging, we build purpose, pride, and strong teams. Whether you're launching your career or bringing years of experience, this is a place where you can grow, be supported, and make a real impact. Our culture is built on four core values that guide everything we do:Dedicated to Excellence– We hold ourselves to high standards in safety, sustainability, quality, and service.Winning with Success– We keep improving to deliver more for our customers and community.Focused on Service– We listen, act fast, and support both our customers and each other.People with Purpose– We work as one team, showing respect, integrity, and care for all.Benefits That MatterTaking care of our team is a priority. Our benefits include:Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage401k with company matchShort and Long-Term Disability (STD/LTD)Company-paid Life InsuranceFSA's for Medical & Dependent CareEmployee Assistance Program (EAP) –counseling, financial tools, legal help & moreWellness programCancer Expert Now – access to expert consultations for cancer diagnosis and treatment guidanceAnd more!If this sounds like the kind of company and team you want to grow with, we'd love to hear from you.Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.