Under the direction of the Operations Manager, the Production Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing daily production operations to ensure the safe, efficient, and consistent delivery of high-quality products in accordance with company standards and customer requirements. This position provides leadership and direction to production personnel, manages production schedules, monitors key performance indicators, and collaborates with cross-functional departments to achieve operational objectives. The Production Manager is accountable for driving productivity, optimizing labor and resources, maintaining compliance with safety and quality standards, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives. This role is instrumental in fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, employee engagement, and operational excellence while supporting the organization's goals for cost efficiency, customer satisfaction, and overall business performance.

The Production Manager is expected to inspire and lead their teams by setting the example and driving the 5 C’s (Care, Commit, Connect, Communicate, & Celebrate)

**This role will support a C-Crew work schedule (Friday & Saturday: 6am - 6pm and Sunday & Monday: 6pm - 6am) but will need to be flexible to work other shifts.**

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Production Operations and Performance

• Direct and oversee daily production operations to ensure the safe, efficient, and timely manufacture of products in accordance with customer requirements and company standards.
• Establish, communicate, and monitor daily, weekly, and monthly production goals, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), including production efficiency, labor utilization, downtime, scrap, quality, attendance, and productivity, and implement corrective actions when performance falls below expectations.
• Ensure production schedules are executed effectively while maintaining appropriate staffing levels, material availability, and equipment readiness.
• Partner with Production Supervisors to determine manpower requirements, manage staffing assignments, and optimize labor resources.
• Ensure employees consistently follow standardized work instructions, established production processes, and job rotation schedules.
• Identify potential production risks, operational constraints, and resource limitations, and implement contingency plans to minimize disruptions.
• Collaborate with Materials, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, Human Resources, and other departments to resolve production challenges and support operational objectives.
• Track, analyze, and report daily production results, identifying trends and opportunities for improved performance.
• Support cost-control initiatives by managing overtime, labor efficiency, scrap, and other controllable production expenses.

2. Leadership and Employee Development

• Provide effective leadership, coaching, and direction to Production Supervisors and production employees to promote accountability, teamwork, and high performance.
• Foster a positive, respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment that encourages employee engagement and open communication.
• Establish clear performance expectations and hold direct reports accountable for achieving departmental goals and complying with company policies.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, provide timely and constructive feedback, and develop performance improvement plans when necessary.
• Identify employee development opportunities and support training, cross-training, succession planning, and career advancement initiatives.
• Ensure new and transferred employees receive appropriate training on job responsibilities, standardized work, quality expectations, and safety procedures.
• Conduct regular production meetings and employee communications to discuss performance, operational priorities, safety, quality concerns, and organizational objectives.
• Demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, integrity, and a willingness to receive and apply constructive feedback.
• Promote company values and lead by example through consistent, fair, and respectful leadership practices.

3. Employee Relations and Labor Relations

• Ensure consistent administration and enforcement of company policies, workplace expectations, and established operating procedures.
• Partner with Human Resources in addressing employee relations matters, including attendance, performance concerns, workplace conduct, and disciplinary actions.
• Ensure disciplinary recommendations are supported by appropriate documentation, fact-finding, and review in accordance with established Human Resources procedures.
• Support compliance with applicable collective bargaining agreements, labor relations procedures, and company policies.
• Collaborate with Human Resources and Labor Relations representatives in addressing employee concerns, grievances, and workplace issues.
• Maintain accurate and timely employee attendance, overtime, and time-off records in accordance with company procedures.
• Ensure employee time-off requests and supporting documentation are submitted and processed accurately and within established timelines.
• Promote fair and consistent treatment of employees while maintaining appropriate confidentiality and professionalism.
• Escalate employee relations concerns to Human Resources in a timely manner to ensure appropriate review and resolution.

4. Quality and Continuous Improvement

• Ensure production processes consistently meet established quality standards, customer specifications, and applicable manufacturing requirements.
• Collaborate with the Quality Department to identify recurring defects, analyze root causes, and implement sustainable corrective and preventive actions.
• Lead and participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, quality, waste reduction, ergonomics, and operational efficiency.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement through employee involvement, problem-solving, and process standardization.
• Monitor first-time quality performance and implement improvement strategies to reduce rework, scrap, and repeat defects.
• Support lean manufacturing principles, standardized work, and other operational improvement methodologies.
• Ensure production employees understand and follow applicable quality procedures and customer requirements.
• Participate in operational audits, corrective action reviews, and customer-related quality improvement activities as required.

5. Health, Safety, and Environmental Compliance

• Promote a safety-first culture by ensuring employees consistently comply with company safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure compliance with applicable OSHA, MIOSHA, and environmental regulations and company health and safety standards.
• Conduct regular workplace inspections to identify potential hazards, unsafe behaviors, and conditions requiring corrective action.
• Ensure work areas maintain appropriate housekeeping standards and remain safe, organized, and free of preventable hazards.
• Promptly report, respond to, and support investigations involving workplace injuries, accidents, illnesses, near misses, and property damage.
• Partner with Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) personnel to implement corrective actions and prevent recurrence of safety incidents.
• Ensure employees receive appropriate safety training and consistently utilize required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Participate in safety meetings, inspections, audits, and initiatives designed to achieve or exceed established safety performance objectives.
• Hold employees and supervisors accountable for promptly reporting unsafe conditions and following established safety procedures.
• Ensure corrective actions resulting from safety inspections and incident investigations are completed within established deadlines.

6. Operational Planning and Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with plant leadership to develop and execute operational strategies that support business objectives and customer requirements.
• Coordinate with Maintenance, Materials, Engineering, and Quality to ensure production readiness and minimize operational disruptions.
• Support new product launches, engineering changes, process improvements, and production transitions.
• Participate in workforce planning, capacity reviews, and operational discussions to support current and future production demands.
• Identify opportunities to improve resource utilization, reduce operating costs, and strengthen overall plant performance.
• Prepare and submit accurate operational reports, performance updates, and other required documentation within established deadlines.
• Communicate production concerns, potential risks, and corrective action plans to plant leadership in a timely manner.
• Support customer requirements and participate in customer meetings, operational reviews, and audits as directed.

7. Accountability and Company Standards

• Demonstrate ownership and accountability for production performance, employee development, safety, quality, and operational results.
• Consistently communicate and reinforce company goals, policies, procedures, and leadership expectations.
• Maintain a professional presence on the production floor, actively engaging with supervisors and employees to identify and resolve operational concerns.
• Ensure effective communication between shifts to maintain operational continuity and accountability.
• Support company initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, retention, organizational culture, and operational excellence.
• Attend required leadership meetings, training sessions, and professional development activities.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned by management.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify job responsibilities based on business and operational needs, consistent with applicable laws and company policies.

Note: If there is reason to believe that any equipment, or physical condition of the workplace is likely to endanger the employee or co-worker, or is in contravention of OSHA and MISOHA, notify management immediately. If there is any reason to believe that any equipment, physical condition of the workplace or assigned task is likely to jeopardize customer’s requirements, internal requirements or the quality of tests results and/or equipment build, notify management immediately. Authorities as detailed in our Quality System for ISO/TS16949 2009 including but not limited to Corrective and Preventative Actions, Control of Documents, Control of Records, Internal Audits and Control of Nonconforming Product.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability and/or physical demands required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (manufacturing, engineering, or similar) preferred or equivalent experience 

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of five (5) years of production supervisory/managerial experience or a minimum of five (5) years of leadership experience in an automotive manufacturing facility.
• JIT experience preferred

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Team oriented, communicates well with others, and able to interact with people at all levels and departments
• Excellent problem solving and leadership skills
• Detail oriented and excellent documentation skills
• Working knowledge of safety standards and OSHA guidelines
• Working knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and various manufacturing software; a must.
• Understanding of automotive industry business practices

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

Work performed in an office and manufacturing plant environments. Normal mobility to move around an office environment, able to conduct normal amount of work at a computer. Continuously walks and stands. Frequently performs fine finger movements, grips/grasps, push/pulls, bends/stops, and lifts and carries parts up to thirty (30) lbs. Must be available to work any shift as well as weekends and holidays as needed.

Training Requirements:

Orientation Sign-off

LM Compliance Policies

Safety Training

Department Training Requirements:

Training Checklist