Production Manager
Job Summary
The Production Manager oversees and leads all production processes and operations ensuring efficiency and compliance with schedules. They are responsible for resource allocation, cost control, quality standards, and team leadership. The role requires collaboration with multiple departments to resolve issues and drive continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
- Oversee and lead production processes and operations
- Troubleshoot production, equipment, and process issues
- Lead, develop, and mentor production supervisors and teams
- Plan production operations and establish schedules
- Manage department budgets and prepare salary plans
- Enforce quality standards and compliance with safety regulations
Required Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering or related discipline
- Minimum 10 years of manufacturing production experience
- 8-10 years of supervisory or people management experience
- Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills
- Familiarity with SAP, ERP, and manufacturing systems
- ISO 13485 training and FDA-regulated manufacturing experience
Job Details
The Production Manager oversees and leads all production processes and operations ensuring that they run reliably, efficiently and in accordance with the build schedules that have been set to meet the demand for finished products. Requires a close working relationship with planning, QC, manufacturing engineering, marketing and R&D management. Responsible for allocation of resources, adhering to cost, quality and budgetary constraints and standards.
How You’ll Make an Impact:
- Troubleshoots production, equipment, and process issues identified through operating reports and daily floor operations, applying root-cause analysis to resolve problems quickly and minimize cost, downtime, and quality risk.
- Serves as an escalation point for technical and process challenges raised by the team, applying hands-on troubleshooting expertise across mechanical, electrical, and process systems to diagnose issues and implement effective, lasting solutions.
- Leads, develops, mentors, and manages production supervisors and their teams, including represented and non-represented assembly and/or process personnel; resolves or supports resolution of employee relations matters.
- Plans production operations, establishing schedules, priorities, and sequencing across product lines to meet demand.
- Develops, revises, and enforces standard operating procedures, work practices, and quality standards for new and existing products.
- Prepares department budgets, salary plans, and capacity plans; manages a department budget of up to $2M (USD or local currency equivalent).
- Develops and revises assembly/process layouts to support production schedules and new product introductions, ensuring products transition smoothly into production.
- Improves product cost structure and executes cost reduction plans by improving the utilization and efficiency of labor and equipment.
- Develops and implements strategic plans with other manufacturing sites, including product/production transfers and end-of-life/obsolescence planning.
- Provides clear operational direction, sets team priorities, and communicates effectively across organizational levels and functions.
- Responds effectively to new demands and challenges, removing obstacles and proposing solutions to support business continuity.
- Enforces quality standards for new product releases into manufacturing.
- Recommends and implements capital equipment improvements to enhance production productivity.
- Maintains compliance with the handling, use, and storage of hazardous materials and controlled substances in accordance with applicable local and national regulatory requirements.
- Demonstrates strong understanding of internal and external customer needs to guide production and quality decisions.
Qualifications & Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Minimum of 10 years of manufacturing production experience, preferably in a regulated environment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 8–10 years of supervisory or people management experience.
- Experience working with hand tools, automated tooling, and inspection gauges.
- Proven ability to troubleshoot production equipment, process deviations, and quality issues within a regulated manufacturing environment.
- Familiarity with SAP and other manufacturing materials management systems.
- Strong and effective communication skills.
- Proficient PC skills, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, database software, internet tools, and manufacturing software.
- Knowledge of, and experience with, chemical, instrument, or facility production processes and related process equipment.
- Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills across mechanical, electrical, and process systems, with the ability to quickly diagnose issues and implement sustainable corrective actions.
- Knowledge of Lean Six Sigma is desirable; Green Belt certification is preferred.
- Experience leading small group activities for Lean Six Sigma projects, quality improvement initiatives, root-cause analysis, and kaizen activities.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and people management skills.
- Knowledge of SAP or other ERP systems.
- ISO 13485 training and experience managing an FDA-regulated product manufacturing line.