Manufacturing Manager

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Manufacturing Manager to lead extrusion manufacturing operations. This role is responsible for optimizing extrusion processes, driving operational efficiency, ensuring product quality, coordinating maintenance activities, and supporting new product development initiatives.

The ideal candidate will bring strong technical expertise in manufacturing, leadership experience in a manufacturing environment, and the ability to work cross-functionally with production, maintenance, quality, engineering, and scheduling teams to achieve operational goals.

This is a high-impact leadership role for a motivated professional who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and is passionate about continuous improvement, process optimization, and team development.

Key Responsibilities Extrusion Operations & Process Optimization

• Lead daily operations for extrusion lines to ensure safety, quality, productivity, and efficiency goals are achieved.
• Optimize extrusion processes to improve throughput, reduce scrap, minimize downtime, and maintain product consistency.
• Develop, document, and maintain process parameters, setup procedures, and operating standards.
• Troubleshoot extrusion-related issues including dimensional variation, surface defects, tooling performance, and material flow challenges.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational excellence, cost reduction, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and training to production personnel and setup technicians.

Maintenance & Equipment Reliability

• Partner with maintenance teams to coordinate preventive and corrective maintenance activities.
• Support troubleshooting of mechanical, electrical, tooling, and process-related equipment issues.
• Recommend and implement preventive maintenance strategies for extrusion lines, tooling, calibration systems, and auxiliary equipment.
• Assist with installation, startup, validation, and qualification of new extrusion equipment and tooling.
• Work to improve equipment uptime, reliability, and overall line performance.

Production Planning & Scheduling

• Collaborate with production scheduling to maximize line utilization and ensure on-time delivery performance.
• Support efficient changeovers and production readiness activities.
• Assist in prioritizing production schedules based on customer demand, operational efficiency, and business objectives.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure all products meet customer specifications and internal quality standards.
• Partner with Quality Assurance teams to investigate non-conformances, perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
• Monitor dimensional inspections, SPC data, and process capability metrics.
• Maintain accurate process documentation, inspection records, and production data.
• Participate in ISO compliance activities, internal audits, and quality improvement programs.

New Product Development & Process Validation

• Lead new product sampling, trial runs, and process development activities.
• Coordinate tooling trials, product validation, and startup activities for new profiles and materials.
• Collaborate with engineering, sales, and customers to support successful product launches.
• Establish and document standard processing parameters for new products and materials.
• Approve production readiness for new products and process changes.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in plastic extrusion manufacturing, preferably profile extrusion.
• Prior leadership or supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.
• Strong knowledge of thermoplastics, extrusion tooling, calibration systems, downstream equipment, and extrusion processing.
• Experience managing or overseeing multiple extrusion lines.
• Knowledge of quality systems, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ERP/MRP systems preferred.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene, ABS, and engineered thermoplastic profiles.
• Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement experience.
• Ability to analyze production metrics and implement process improvements.
• Project management and cross-functional leadership experience.