Position Summary

The Production Manager is responsible for providing exceptional leadership and direction for all manufacturing operations, ensuring a safe, productive, and accountable work environment while consistently meeting company objectives. This role oversees production, maintenance, inventory control, quality assurance, and continuous improvement initiatives while partnering closely with the Vice President of Operations.

Success in this position is measured not only by production results, but by the ability to build, develop, motivate, and hold accountable a high-performing team. The Production Manager must lead by example, establish clear expectations, foster collaboration, and create a culture focused on safety, quality, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Essential Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop supervisors, team leads, and production employees to maximize individual and team      performance.
• Create a culture of accountability by setting clear expectations, providing consistent feedback, and addressing performance      issues promptly and professionally.
• Inspire employees through positive leadership, effective communication, and visible engagement on the production floor.
• Build strong working relationships across all departments to encourage teamwork and collaboration.
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings, performance evaluations, coaching sessions, and employee development discussions.
• Identify high-potential employees and develop succession plans for future leadership roles.
• Make difficult personnel decisions when necessary while maintaining fairness, consistency, and professionalism.
• Promote employee engagement while maintaining high standards for attendance, productivity, quality, and workplace conduct.
• Lead by example in demonstrating integrity, professionalism, accountability, and a commitment to company values.
• Effectively manage conflict, resolve employee concerns, and promote a respectful and productive workplace.
• Foster a culture where safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement are everyone's responsibility.

Operational Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and direct daily manufacturing operations to meet production schedules and customer commitments.
• Ensure production goals are achieved while maintaining high standards of safety, quality, efficiency, and cost control.
• Monitor production metrics, labor efficiency, scrap rates, downtime, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Oversee inventory accuracy through proper inventory control procedures and cycle count programs.
• Ensure all products meet established quality standards and customer expectations.
• Work closely with Engineering, R&D, Purchasing, Warehouse, Maintenance, and Customer Service to support manufacturing      objectives.
• Collaborate with Engineering and R&D on new product development and manufacturing process improvements.
• Analyze manufacturing challenges and implement solutions that improve quality, efficiency, and profitability.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the operation.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and ensure compliance throughout the production team.
• Partner with the Maintenance department to maximize equipment uptime and production capacity.
• Support budgeting initiatives, labor planning, capital projects, and operational planning.
• Prepare production reports and communicate operational performance to executive leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Leadership Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Minimum of 3 years managing supervisors, team leads, or large production teams.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through change, motivate employees, improve morale, and drive organizational performance.
• Proven experience managing employee performance, coaching underperforming employees, and recognizing high performers.
• Strong decision-making skills with the confidence to make timely and difficult personnel decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust, gain employee respect, and establish credibility at every level of the organization.

Technical Experience

• Experience managing manufacturing operations, production scheduling, inventory control, and quality systems.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and production planning.
• Fiberglass manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• ERP experience (Acumatica preferred).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Exceptional leadership and people management skills.
• Ability to motivate employees while maintaining high expectations and accountability.
• Strong coaching, mentoring, and employee development abilities.
• Excellent conflict resolution and interpersonal skills.
• Outstanding communication skills with employees at all organizational levels.
• Strong organizational, planning, and project management skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency.
• Strong understanding of production metrics, inventory management, and quality systems.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and sound judgment.
• Ability to make independent decisions and accept responsibility for operational results.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent manufacturing leadership experience may be substituted for formal education.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to regularly stand and walk throughout the manufacturing facility.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to bend, kneel, climb stairs, and work around manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to work in varying temperatures, noise levels, and typical manufacturing conditions.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).

Core Leadership Expectations

The Production Manager is expected to be a highly visible leader who spends significant time on the production floor engaging with employees, identifying opportunities for improvement, and ensuring operational excellence. This position requires a leader who develops people, builds trust, promotes accountability, and creates a positive culture while consistently delivering measurable business results. The successful candidate will possess the confidence to make difficult decisions, the humility to listen, and the leadership ability to unite teams toward common goals.