Production Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The Production Manager is responsible for leading daily manufacturing operations to ensure the safe, efficient, and cost-effective production of high-quality products. This position provides leadership to production supervisors and hourly employees while driving continuous improvement initiatives, achieving operational goals, and maintaining compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements. The Production Manager partners closely with Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Human Resources, and other departments to maximize productivity, improve performance, and support strategic business objectives

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (But not limited to the following)

• Lead and oversee daily production operations across assigned departments or shifts.
• Supervise, coach, mentor, and develop Production Supervisors and hourly employees.
• Ensure compliance with all safety policies, OSHA regulations, and company procedures while promoting a strong safety culture.
• Drive production performance by monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs), including safety, quality, productivity, scrap, efficiency, labor utilization, and on-time delivery.
• Follow production schedules and allocate resources to meet customer demands and business objectives.
• Collaborate with Planning, Engineering, Quality, and Maintenance to resolve production challenges and minimize downtime.
• Lead root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions for production and quality issues.
• Promote Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and industry standards, including AS9100 and NADCAP requirements where applicable.
• Monitor staffing levels and coordinate hiring, training, cross-training, and succession planning.
• Conduct performance evaluations, provide coaching, and administer corrective action when necessary.
• Manage labor costs, overtime, and departmental budgets while maintaining operational efficiency.
• Support new product introductions and process improvements.
• Maintain accurate production records and prepare operational reports for senior leadership.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, employee engagement, and continuous learning.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 7-10 years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• College degree highly preferred
• At least 3-5 years managing supervisors or multiple production departments.
• Aerospace, forging, machining, metal manufacturing, or highly regulated manufacturing experience preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong understanding of production planning, scheduling, inventory control, and capacity management.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and 5S methodologies highly preferred.
• Experience working within ISO 9001, AS9100, and/or NADCAP environments preferred.
• Excellent leadership, communication, conflict resolution, and organizational skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office applications.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and policies and procedures. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from employees, managers, and outside service providers.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to apply basic to moderate mathematical concepts such as sums and averages. Ability to creates graphs and charts.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Frequently walk throughout the manufacturing facility.
• Ability to stand for extended periods.
• Occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to noise, heat, machinery, and varying temperatures.
• Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:

Reports to the Plant Manager or Director of Operations.

Direct supervision of the Production Supervisors and indirect supervision of Team Leads, and hourly manufacturing personnel.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is moderate. The role requires a presence on the shop floor a minimum of 70% to be effective.