Production Manager (Final Operations)

Description

The Production Manager plays a critical leadership role in overseeing and guiding multiple production teams to achieve excellence in safety, quality, cost, delivery, and continuous improvement. The Production Manager acts as a key liaison between frontline operations and leadership, helping drive strategic execution, resolve systemic issues, and mentor Production Supervisors and Line Leaders. This role requires strong leadership, a deep understanding of lean manufacturing principles, and the ability to drive performance across shifts and departments in a collaborative and fast-paced manufacturing environment. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Leads daily Level 3 DMS (Daily Management System) meetings, facilitating escalation and cross-functional alignment.
• Oversees execution of production plans across multiple lines/shifts to ensure performance targets (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, OEE, and KPS) are met or exceeded.
• Serves as mentor, coach, and escalation point for Production Team Leaders and Line Leaders; provides guidance on problem-solving, shift coverage, training gaps, and personnel development.
• Analyzes production data and KPIs to identify trends and drive corrective actions through structured problem-solving.
• Leads cross-shift coordination to ensure smooth handoffs, consistent processes, and seamless flow of information.
• Champions continuous improvement initiatives, kaizen events, and 5S audits in partnership with Engineering, Maintenance, and Quality.
• Collaborates with Value Stream Leaders on workforce planning, production strategy, and execution of improvement roadmaps.
• Ensures consistent application of standardized work, visual controls, and best practices across all teams and shifts.
• Supports onboarding, skills development, and cross-training to build high-performing, flexible teams.
• Drives accountability and ownership for safety practices, housekeeping, and employee engagement.
• Coordinates manpower across departments and shifts to ensure optimal coverage and minimize downtime.
• Provides performance feedback, coaching, and disciplinary support for PTLs and frontline team members in collaboration with HR.
• Acts as a key contributor in hiring decisions, employee reviews, and departmental development planning.
• Promotes and leads with the organization’s core values and vision, inspiring a culture of collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Performs other duties as assigned, including interim coverage for other plant leadership roles.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Strategic Leadership: Guides multiple teams with a future-focused mindset; able to align daily execution with broader business objectives.
• Action oriented: Demonstrates ownership in solving process and compliance issues
• Mentorship & Development: Coaches, develops, and evaluates PTLs and other leaders, supporting growth and succession planning.
• Accountability: Demonstrates ability to take responsibility and maintains sense of ownership and follow through on commitments. Sets high standards of performance.  
• Resilience & Adaptability: Maintains poise under pressure, adapts to change, and inspires others to follow.
• Communication: Demonstrates ability to convey and distribute information effectively and encompass strong speaking, presentation, written and listening skills. Ability to create an environment for open communication and communicates clearly across departments. Effectively cascades information, facilitates two-way dialogue, and ensures alignment across shifts and functions.
• Teamwork: Demonstrates ability to work well with others to accomplish common goals and build a positive climate and trusting relationships within teams.
• Leadership: Demonstrates ability to give direction, motivate, manage and reward performance, provide constructive feedback and foster individual professional development. Trains and guides operators to follow standard operating procedures and compliance guidelines
• Reliability: Demonstrates dependability, accountability and trust. Follows processes and meets commitments. Delivers consistent process performance and regulatory documentation
• Decision-making: Demonstrates ability to discover opportunities in challenges, seek profit and sustainable growth. Balances short-term priorities with long-term improvements; uses data to make sound and timely decisions.

WORKING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

• May be exposed to moderate heat, light dust, fumes, extreme temperatures, noise and hazards such as electrical shock or gases. Some outside assignments could involve exposure to adverse weather conditions. Adequate hearing protection is required for 85 decibels and above.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• This position has direct supervisory responsibilities.

SCHEDULE:

• This management position supports Production Supervisors and teams working Sunday through Thursday night shifts and Monday through Friday day shifts.  The incumbent may adjust their schedule to best suit production targets and needs of their teams. 

The demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Associate degree or higher preferred; High School Diploma/GED and extensive supervisory manufacturing experience accepted 
• Minimum 3–5 years of leadership experience in a manufacturing or production environment, including direct supervision of teams 
• Demonstrated success in leading team-based manufacturing operations 
• Strong working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams) 
• Experience with performance reviews, employee development plans, and interviewing/hiring Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills 
• Willingness to work flexible hours and weekends as required to support production needs 
• In-depth knowledge of manufacturing operations, production planning, and workflow optimization 
• Knowledge of safety and environmental regulations and best practices 
• Understanding of OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) and DMS (Daily Management Systems) 
• Basic understanding of statistical analysis and problem-solving tools (e.g., root cause analysis, 5 Whys, Ishikawa) 
• Strong leadership, coaching, and conflict-resolution skills 
• Effective communication skills (written, verbal, and presentation) for all organizational levels 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams); ERP/MES system knowledge is a plus 
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; ability to handle multiple priorities 
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills in fast-paced environments 
• Ability to lead, develop, and inspire high-performing teams 
• Ability to analyze data, draw conclusions, and make sound decisions under pressure 
• Ability to work extended hours or varying shifts as needed 
• Ability to maintain composure in high-stress situations and drive a positive team culture 
• Ability to identify, report, and act on quality or safety issues proactively