Production Manager

The Production Manager is responsible for leading daily manufacturing operations and ensuring the safe, efficient, and predictable execution of production across assigned value streams.

This role is accountable for delivering production schedules while meeting safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost objectives. The Production Manager provides leadership to supervisors and team leaders, drives operational discipline through standard work and daily management systems, and fosters a culture of accountability, problem solving, and continuous improvement.

Working closely with Materials, Planning, Manufacturing Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Safety, and Continuous Improvement, this position ensures production readiness, resolves operational challenges, and develops frontline leadership capabilities.

Essential Responsibilities

Production Operations

• Lead daily manufacturing operations across assigned production areas and shifts.
• Execute the production schedule while meeting safety, quality, delivery, and productivity goals.
• Monitor schedule attainment, throughput, capacity utilization, and on-time delivery.
• Develop and execute recovery plans when production targets are not achieved.
• Ensure efficient production flow while maintaining compliance with company standards.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, team leaders, and production personnel.
• Establish a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct performance reviews, coaching sessions, and development planning.
• Address performance concerns in a timely and constructive manner.
• Develop succession plans and strengthen frontline leadership capabilities.

Daily Management & Operational Excellence

• Lead daily production meetings and Tier accountability reviews.
• Monitor key performance indicators including Safety, Quality, Delivery, Productivity, and Cost.
• Ensure leader standard work and visual management systems are consistently followed.
• Escalate operational issues promptly and ensure corrective actions are implemented and sustained.
• Promote disciplined execution through standard work and production control processes.

Production Planning & Material Coordination

• Partner with Materials and Planning to ensure production readiness and material availability.
• Support schedule stability by proactively identifying production risks.
• Monitor production priorities and coordinate recovery plans when disruptions occur.
• Maintain accurate production reporting and ERP transactions.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead structured problem-solving initiatives using Lean Manufacturing principles and root cause analysis.
• Drive improvements in productivity, quality, equipment utilization, and workflow.
• Eliminate waste through Kaizen events, process optimization, and standardization.
• Ensure corrective actions are verified and sustained.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner closely with:

• Materials & Planning – production readiness, inventory, scheduling, and shortage resolution
• Manufacturing Engineering – process improvements, capacity planning, and standard work
• Maintenance – equipment reliability, TPM, and downtime reduction
• Quality – first-pass yield, corrective actions, and customer quality issues
• Continuous Improvement – Lean initiatives, Kaizen activities, and operational excellence
• Safety & Environmental – regulatory compliance, investigations, and safety culture

Safety & Compliance

• Promote a safe, compliant, and engaged work environment.
• Ensure adherence to company policies, OSHA, ISO, and environmental requirements.
• Lead investigations involving safety, quality, or operational incidents.
• Drive employee participation in safety initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.

Leadership Competencies

Successful candidates demonstrate:

• Operational Leadership
• Accountability & Ownership
• Coaching & Talent Development
• Data-Driven Problem Solving
• Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement
• Communication & Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Execution Discipline
• Decision Making

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Seven (7) or more years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• Three (3) or more years leading supervisors in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in fabrication, machining, assembly, or industrial manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of production scheduling, manufacturing execution, and production control.
• Experience leading Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems (SAP preferred).
• Excellent leadership, coaching, organizational, and communication skills.

Preferred

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher.
• Experience implementing Tier Management and Daily Management Systems.
• Knowledge of TPM, visual management, and standard work.
• Experience leading manufacturing transformation or operational improvement initiatives.

Success Profile

The successful Production Manager will:

• Build a culture of accountability and operational excellence.
• Develop supervisors into confident, high-performing leaders.
• Execute production schedules consistently and predictably.
• Improve schedule attainment, throughput, and on-time delivery.
• Reduce downtime and production losses through structured problem solving.
• Drive Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Foster a safe, engaged, and collaborative manufacturing environment.