Production Manager

Opportunity Snapshot
Position: Production Manager
Location: Hocking County, Ohio
Employment Type: Direct Hire
Status: Full-Time, Salaried
Industry: Manufacturing
Compensation: Competitive salary based on experience
Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package available

About the Opportunity
A well-established Hocking County manufacturer is seeking a hands-on, highly organized Production Manager to oversee daily operations across a busy pallet manufacturing facility. This leadership role is responsible for driving production efficiency, maintaining quality standards, ensuring workplace safety, managing personnel, coordinating maintenance activities, and supporting inventory and shipping operations.
The ideal candidate enjoys being actively involved on the production floor, leading by example, solving problems in real time, and motivating teams to achieve operational excellence. This is an excellent opportunity for a manufacturing professional who combines strong leadership abilities with a continuous improvement mindset.

What You'll Be Doing

Production & Quality Management

• Lead daily manufacturing operations while maintaining a safe and productive work environment.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and industry safety standards.
• Oversee product quality.
• Monitor dimensional accuracy, squareness, and material integrity throughout production.
• Verify proper machine setups during product changeovers, including resaws, assembly stations, jigs, fixtures, and nailing equipment.
• Monitor material specifications throughout the day and implement process adjustments as needed.
• Manage inventory.
• Oversee heat-treating operations and ensure compliance with ISPM-15 standards.
• Verify proper heat treatment temperatures, timing requirements, markings, documentation, and reporting.

• Ensure outbound shipments meet quality and accuracy requirements.
• Verify counts, packaging, markings, stack heights, and load securement.
• Coordinate closely with office personnel to support shipping documentation and customer fulfillment.
• Develop and communicate daily and weekly production schedules.
• Balance customer demands with inventory requirements and production capacity.
• Identify future material requirements and coordinate procurement efforts.
• Track and report production output and inventory activity.

• Train and develop employees on safe operating procedures and production expectations.
• Set daily goals and performance expectations for production teams.
• Monitor progress and provide ongoing coaching and feedback.
• Foster accountability through positive leadership and consistent communication.
• Promote teamwork, employee engagement, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Build a culture centered on safety, quality, productivity, and respect.

• Supervise maintenance activities supporting plant equipment, grounds, trucks, and trailers.
• Conduct routine facility inspections to identify equipment and safety concerns.
• Prioritize repair needs and coordinate corrective actions.
• Create and manage daily maintenance work lists.
• Monitor preventive maintenance schedules and completion records.

• Manage purchasing and inventory of production consumables and operating supplies.
• Order materials such as nails, staples, saw blades, saw teeth, lubricants, and related supplies.
• Coordinate ordering activities with maintenance personnel to avoid duplication.
• Ensure critical supplies remain available to support uninterrupted production operations.

• Maintain a visible and active presence throughout all production areas.
• Monitor operations across resawing, assembly, heat-treating, material handling, and shipping functions.
• Engage directly with operators and team members to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Drive efficiency, quality enhancements, and process consistency throughout the facility.

• Full-time position
• Salaried leadership role
• Standard manufacturing plant hours with flexibility as needed to support production operations
• Occasional extended hours may be required to meet production demands, customer schedules, or operational priorities

• Competitive salary
• Direct-hire opportunity
• Comprehensive benefits package

• Previous experience in manufacturing, industrial operations, wood products, pallet manufacturing, or a related production environment.
• Strong leadership skills with demonstrated success leading production teams.
• Knowledge of production scheduling, inventory management, quality control, and workplace safety programs.
• Ability to identify operational challenges and implement practical solutions.
• Experience coordinating maintenance activities and equipment support functions.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with production reporting and operational planning.

Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a proactive manufacturing leader who enjoys being on the floor and directly involved in operations. They are equally comfortable motivating employees, monitoring quality standards, creating production plans, and solving day-to-day operational challenges. They possess strong mechanical aptitude, excellent organizational skills, and a leadership style that balances accountability with team development.
Successful candidates will be safety-focused, quality-driven, highly visible throughout the operation, and committed to continuous improvement.

About the Hiring Type
This is a direct-hire placement, meaning the selected candidate will be hired directly by the employer as a permanent member of their leadership team from day one.