Production Manager

Job Title: Production Manager

Job Description

As an integral member of our team, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring efficient factory operations on a day-to-day basis. You will embody a mindset focused on Zero Injury, Zero Defect, Zero Downtime, and Zero Lates through visible leadership and continuous improvements. This role requires you to coordinate between different support functions for collaborative decision-making and balance business priorities. As a Team Manager, you will have future development opportunities and must be prepared to work beyond standard hours, adapting to dynamic business cycles.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily safety inspections and weekly audits to drive continuous improvements in PPE and machinery.
• Identify HSE hazards and partner with safety teams to implement factory-wide improvements.
• Champion daily 5S routines to maintain and sustain high workplace organization standards.
• Spend 80-90% of your time on the factory floor to achieve "4Z" goals: Zero Injury, Defect, Downtime, and Lates.
• Analyze ERP transactions to identify and resolve root-cause deviations.
• Monitor equipment downtime to trigger and lead performance improvement activities.
• Oversee a team of around 40 operators across 1st and 2nd shifts, maintaining strong communication and hands-on management.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering.
• 1-2 years of experience in managing within production or manufacturing.
• Ability to interpret drawings, blueprints, and machine reports.
• Advanced skills in ERP systems, MS Office, AutoCAD, and data analysis.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Lean or Six Sigma certification is preferred.
• Experience in engineering, mechanical engineering, and project management.
• Proficiency in process improvement and production management.

Work Environment

The work environment is a manufacturing and assembly factory, which is climate-controlled. The role involves mainly desk work with remote support, but also requires 15-25% site visits to potentially challenging environments such as meat processing facilities and wastewater treatment plants. The standard schedule is split to oversee both shifts, typically from 10 or 11 AM to 7 or 8 PM. The position is very hands-on and requires strong communication skills and a proactive, self-starting attitude.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Richmond, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $95000.00 - $100000.00/yr.

ENVIRONMENT: Alfa Laval is a manufacturing and assembly factory environment. It"s climate-controlled. This person will mainly work behind a desk and do remote support, but there will be 15-25% site visits, which could be very dirty, unpleasant environments (i.e., meat processing facilities, wastewater treatment plants, etc.)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Richmond,VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 11, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.