Production Manager

Production Manager – Paint & Body

The Production Manager – Paint & Body is responsible for leading and managing all operations within the Paint & Body department, overseeing approximately 30 technicians and 2 team leads in a fast-paced, high-production environment.

This role is heavily focused on leadership, accountability, production flow, process development, scheduling, and team performance. The ideal candidate brings a strong manufacturing or production management background with proven experience building processes, improving operational efficiency, developing employees, and driving results in demanding environments.

While automotive paint and body experience is a plus, we are willing to train the right leader on the technical side of the business. We are seeking someone who understands how to lead people, improve systems, manage production pressure, and create accountability across a large department.

This is a high-stress, high-responsibility position requiring long hours, strong communication, decisive leadership, and the ability to maintain morale and operational consistency under pressure. The successful candidate must be highly organized, resilient, adaptable, and capable of managing constant change while maintaining production targets and quality standards.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and mentor approximately 30 Paint & Body technicians and 2 team leads.
• Create a culture of accountability, urgency, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Develop employees through coaching, performance management, training, and leadership development.
• Foster department morale and maintain a positive, performance-driven work environment despite demanding production schedules.
• Conduct regular team meetings to communicate expectations, production goals, and operational updates.
• Interview, hire, onboard, and performance manage department personnel.
• Address employee performance concerns promptly and professionally.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the Paint & Body department to ensure vehicles move efficiently through production stages.
• Build, improve, and maintain scalable production processes and workflows.
• Develop and manage production schedules to ensure vehicles are completed on time while minimizing bottlenecks and downtime.
• Coordinate closely with Assembly, Metal Fabrication, Upholstery, Parts, and Quality Control departments to maintain workflow efficiency.
• Monitor department throughput, labor utilization, and production efficiency daily.
• Identify operational issues quickly and implement corrective actions to maintain schedule performance.
• Drive process standardization and operational consistency across all production stages.
• Ensure warranty and rework items are prioritized and completed in a timely manner.
• Continuously evaluate department operations for opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, communication, and throughput.
• Implement lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives where applicable.
• Establish measurable KPIs and accountability systems for technicians and team leads.
• Improve shop organization, workflow layout, scheduling systems, and production visibility.
• Collaborate with leadership to improve production forecasting, staffing strategies, and capacity planning.
• Help create systems that support long-term scalability as the company continues to grow.
• Track and report departmental KPIs including labor hours, efficiency, productivity, quality, and schedule performance.
• Maintain accurate production reports and scorecards for executive leadership review.
• Review and approve employee time punches and payroll reporting.
• Monitor overtime usage and staffing efficiency while balancing production demands.
• Hold team leads and technicians accountable to department expectations and performance standards.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and compliant work environment.
• Enforce safety standards, PPE requirements, and operational procedures.
• Work closely with Quality Control to ensure vehicles meet Velocity standards before advancing through production.
• Address quality concerns proactively and implement corrective actions to reduce rework.
• Maintain strong communication with leadership and cross-functional departments.
• Must be available evenings and weekends to respond to production-related calls, texts, and urgent operational issues.
• Willingness to work extended hours as needed to support production demands and departmental goals. This is not a standard 40-hour-per-week position.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Strong manufacturing, production, or operations management background required.
• Proven experience leading large teams in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and employee development skills.
• Demonstrated success building processes, improving efficiency, and driving accountability.
• Strong scheduling, planning, and organizational abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt quickly to changing production needs.
• Experience implementing or improving production systems and workflows.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven mindset.
• Ability to maintain composure and lead effectively under pressure.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies preferred.
• Automotive, collision, paint & body, restoration, or custom vehicle experience is a plus, but not required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and production scheduling systems.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.
• Background check and pre-employment drug screening required.

Education Background and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor's degree in management, manufacturing, engineering, operations, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience in manufacturing, production, operations, or similar environments.
• Experience managing large teams and complex production schedules required.
• Prior experience in automotive manufacturing, collision repair, restoration, aerospace, heavy equipment, or related industries preferred.

Key Performance Indicators (Performance will be tracked by the following data metrics)

• Production schedule adherence
• Department throughput and cycle times
• Labor efficiency and productivity
• Reduction in rework and quality issues
• Overtime management
• Employee retention and team development
• Process improvement implementation
• Department morale and accountability
• On-time vehicle delivery performance

Physical Demands (To include but not limited to)

• Prolonged periods of standing or walking around the workspace.
• Frequently lifting heavy objects, such as tools, parts, or equipment, weighing up to 50-75 pounds.
• Regularly bending, stooping, or crouching to work on vehicles at different heights.
• Moving large or heavy equipment, carts, or vehicles within the shop.
• Precise manipulation of tools, small parts, and diagnostic equipment.
• Frequent use of fingers and hands for typing, writing, and operating a computer.
• Using telephones, printers, copiers, and other office tools.
• Frequent need to focus on printed or digital material.
• Reviewing documents, schedules, or customer data with accuracy.
• Exposure to loud noises from power tools and machinery.
• Working in non-climate-controlled environments, leading to exposure to heat or cold.
• Potential exposure to dust, fumes, and chemicals like solvents, oils, and paints. Proper PPE is often required.
• Analyzing and troubleshooting mechanical or structural issues.
• Frequent reaching above the shoulders or below the waist.
• Maintaining physical activity throughout the day without fatigue.
• Adherence to safety protocols to avoid injuries from sharp tools, heavy objects, or moving vehicles.
• Safely operate a motor vehicle.

Benefits Include

• Compensation: Pay is based on experience and qualifications
• Health & Wellness: Health/Dental/Vision/Life/Disability/Aflac available after 60 days
• Retirement: 401(k) with company match after 6 months at next enrollment period
• Paid Time Off: Paid time off and paid holidays
• Additional Perks: Company sponsored events, tool program, merchandise discounts, friendly team environment

Job duties,