Job Description

Production Manager

Position Summary:

The Production Manager will lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the facility, ensuring that production, safety, quality, and cultural transformation objectives are met. This role requires a hands-on, inspirational leader capable of driving both operational excellence and a significant turnaround in plant culture.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee production planning and ensure product quality, safety, and cost control.
• Resolve production issues promptly while maintaining a focus on cultural engagement and team morale.
• Act as a liaison between operations and other departments such as sales, engineering, and customer service.
• Lead Lean and 5S initiatives with a strong emphasis on sustainable behavior change and continuous improvement.
• Mentor and develop line leaders and group leaders, fostering a culture of accountability, ownership, and inspiration.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and lead the development and delivery of safety training programs.
• Drive cultural transformation by addressing negative attitudes and building a positive, engaged workforce.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Expertise:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred with a minimum of 5 years of manufacturing management experience, ideally including experience leading turnarounds in challenging or less mature environments.
• Proven success in reforming plant culture and leading inspirational change management efforts.
• Strong safety leadership experience, including development and implementation of safety programs in environments lacking formal training.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel (pivot tables, conditional formatting, graphs).
• Experience with structural environment setup and turnaround projects.
• Knowledge of schematics, blueprint reading, and AutoCAD.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing principles and ability to lead multi-functional projects and teams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a high degree of emotional intelligence.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, inspire teams, and manage difficult conversations effectively.
• Self-directed with strong ownership of outcomes and the ability to prioritize in a high-pressure, dynamic environment.

Key Competencies:

• People-Centered Leadership: Inspirational leadership that transforms culture, builds trust, and turns around negative views.
• Safety Focus: Proven track record of improving safety metrics and leading safety initiatives in complex environments.
• Decisiveness and Data-Driven Insight: Ability to analyze metrics and make timely, well-informed decisions.
• Adaptability and Innovation: Willingness to challenge the status quo and implement new approaches to drive turnaround success.
• Accountability: Clear expectation setting, feedback provision, and ownership of results.
• Communication: Effective verbal and written communication skills to engage and motivate diverse teams.
• Stress Tolerance: Ability to remain calm and focused under pressure.
• Organizational Awareness: Deep understanding of the company’s mission, culture, and operational challenges.
• Workforce Planning: Knowledge of HR concepts related to workload and competency alignment.

Code of Ethics:

The Production Manager must uphold the highest standards of ethics in all business dealings and ensure compliance with company policies.

Safety:

Safety is paramount. The Production Manager must enforce safety policies rigorously, lead by example, and never overlook unsafe acts. This role requires developing and delivering safety training in an environment currently lacking formal programs.

Physical Requirements:

This role operates in a manufacturing plant environment and requires the ability to work in a non-climate-controlled setting. Regular activities include standing, walking, talking, hearing, and using hands to handle or feel objects.

Additional Notes:

This role is not just about managing operations and metrics but requires a transformational leader who can inspire and lead a cultural turnaround in a challenging environment. Candidates should be prepared to lead through influence, demonstrate resilience during downturns, and take ownership of all aspects of the plant’s performance and culture.

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