Production Manager

Job Overview

As a Production Manager, you’ll keep manufacturing operations moving safely, efficiently, and consistently. You’ll coordinate people, equipment, and production schedules while monitoring quality and addressing issues as they arise. This hands-on role calls for clear communication, sound judgment, and a commitment to following safety standards and applicable Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

Summary: The Production Manager is accountable for safe, efficient, consistent execution of manufacturing operations across all three shifts at the Michigan facility. Reporting directly to the Plant Manager, this role directs Production Supervisors and is responsible for daily production decisions, delivery performance, labor efficiency, staffing, shift coordination, and execution of corrective actions. The role works across Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Materials, and Human Resources while respecting their functional authority.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Other duties may be assigned.

Production Operations and Delivery

· Direct daily production activities across shifts and manufacturing departments to achieve approved schedules and customer commitments.

· Prioritize production orders, coordinate capacity and staffing, resolve constraints, and manage disruptions and recovery plans.

· Ensure accurate production reporting, effective shift handoffs, and timely escalation of risks affecting safety, quality, delivery, or cost.

Supervision and Leadership Development

· Direct, coach, evaluate, and hold Production Supervisors accountable for performance and execution across all three shifts.

· Conduct Supervisor performance reviews; document deficiencies; recommend corrective or disciplinary action in coordination with HR and the Plant Manager.

· Set consistent expectations for Manufacturing Specialists and Team Leaders through the supervisory structure; support training, succession planning, and leadership development.

· Participate in hiring, onboarding, staffing decisions, and personnel recommendations within delegated authority.

Efficiency, Data, and Performance Management

· Monitor standard versus actual labor hours, labor efficiency, production output, downtime, overtime, scrap, rework, and schedule attainment.

· Analyze variances and recurring losses, establish root causes with relevant departments, and drive measurable corrective actions.

· Ensure reliable KPI reporting and actionable dashboards; direct assigned reporting or analytical support personnel when provided.

· Maintain documented owners, deadlines, verification of results, and follow-up for outstanding improvement actions.

Cross-Functional Coordination and Communication

· Lead daily production reviews and recurring cross-functional meetings with clear agendas, documented decisions, assigned actions, and due dates.

· Coordinate with Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Materials, and HR to resolve production issues without replacing those departments’ decision authority.

· Provide the Plant Manager with concise exception-based updates, proposed solutions, operational risks, and decisions requiring escalation.

Workforce Planning and Training

· Plan labor deployment based on production demand, attendance, qualifications, and available skills across departments and shifts.

· Coordinate overtime within approved limits, cross-training, onboarding, and workforce flexibility initiatives.

· Work with HR and Supervisors on attendance, employee relations, training compliance, and staffing needs.

Safety, Quality, and Continuous Improvement

· Ensure adherence to safety requirements, quality standards, work instructions, and company policies; promptly address unsafe conditions.

· Coordinate containment and corrective actions for defects, rework, scrap, and recurring process deviations with the responsible functions.

· Lead standardized work, waste reduction, productivity improvements, and verification that corrective actions remain effective.

Work Schedule and Three-Shift Coverage

· Work primarily first shift with flexibility to arrive approximately one hour early when needed to communicate with third-shift leadership and review overnight results.

· Adjust start or end times periodically to overlap with second-shift leadership and ensure consistent priorities and accountability.

· Establish standardized written shift handoffs so routine communication does not depend on personally attending every shift change.

· Remain reasonably accessible for significant operational issues outside normal hours, consistent with company expectations.

Decision-Making Authority

May direct daily production operations through Supervisors; establish priorities; allocate labor; approve production-related overtime within authorized limits; evaluate Supervisors; and initiate operational corrective actions. Hiring, termination, compensation changes, and formal disciplinary decisions remain subject to company policy and required HR / Plant Manager approvals. The Production Manager does not replace the functional authority of Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Materials, or HR.

Requirements:

· Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field desired OR with equivalent work experience; minimum five years of production management experience required.

· Eight or more years of manufacturing experience, including supervision of employees.

· Strong, diverse technical background in manufacturing processes, tooling, equipment, materials, and quality; injection molding processing experience desirable where applicable to the facility.

· Working knowledge of Purchasing, Sales, Financial Analysis, and Accounting as they relate to manufacturing operations.

· Proficient computer skills for everyday business applications, including Microsoft Excel and production reporting systems.

· Demonstrated superior written and verbal communication, teamwork, leadership, and organizational skills.

· Knowledge of SPC, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, APQP, and ISO/IATF 16949 requirements; sound understanding of business mathematics and its applications.

· Self-starter capable of working with limited direction, demonstrating sound judgment and a high level of self-motivation.

· Experience directing Supervisors across multiple shifts and managing production schedules, labor efficiency, safety, and quality compliance.

Pay: $78,000.00 - $98,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) 5% Match
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person