Production Manager

Clutch Canada; Mississauga; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive startup is seeking an Automotive Production Manager in Mississauga to lead lean production initiatives. The role involves driving operational excellence, supporting team leads, and ensuring quality standards in vehicle reconditioning. Ideal candidates have 5-7 years in lean manufacturing and strong leadership skills, with opportunities for professional growth in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Autonomy & Ownership

Competitive Wages

Health & Dental Benefits

Generous Time Off Program

Qualifications

• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in Lean manufacturing operations.
• At least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Proven success in a lean production environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the vision for the reconditioning department.
• Lead lean production efforts, championing standardized work practices.
• Identify and eliminate waste to improve quality and efficiency.
• Establish and monitor KPIs and production metrics.

Skills

Lean manufacturing operations

Leadership experience

Data-driven decision-making

Excellent communication skills

Job description

About Clutch:

We’re on a mission to reinvent the way people buy, sell, and own cars. Are you game?

>Clutch is Canada’s largest online used car retailer, delivering a seamless, hassle‑free car‑buying experience to drivers everywhere. Customers can browse hundreds of cars from the comfort of their home, get the right one delivered to their door, and enjoy peace of mind with our 10‑Day Money‑Back Guarantee… and that’s just the beginning.

Named two years in a row to the Globe & Mail’s list of the Top Growing Companies in Canada and also awarded spots on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50® and Fast 500® lists, we’re looking to add curious, hard‑working, and driven individuals to our growing team. Headquartered in Toronto, Clutch was founded in 2017 and currently services Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, and Prince Edward Island. Clutch is backed by a number of world‑class investors, including D1 Capital, Canaan, Real Ventures, BrandProject, and Upper90. To learn more, visit clutch.ca.

About the Role

We are seeking a strategic and inspiring Automotive Production Manager to lead our lean production facility, driving efficiency, quality, and operational excellence in our reconditioning operations. In this role, you’ll focus on standardized work, 5S methodology, and waste elimination to create a streamlined process that supports our company’s growth and commitment to customer satisfaction.

As a people‑first leader, you will guide and mentor team leads, who oversee technicians and detailers, while you focus on planning, decision‑making, and continuous improvement initiatives. Your leadership will ensure that every vehicle we recondition meets the highest standards while optimizing productivity and reducing operational costs.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and execute the vision for the reconditioning department, aligning with company sales and production goals.
• Lead the facility’s lean production efforts, championing standardized work practices, 5S methodology, and continuous improvement.
• Identify and eliminate waste in processes to improve quality, reduce cycle times, and increase overall efficiency.
• Establish and monitor KPIs and production metrics, using data to drive decision‑making and proactively address performance gaps.
• Partner with leadership to implement scalable systems and processes that support future growth.
• Lead, coach, and develop team leads, empowering them to manage frontline staff with confidence and accountability.
• Build a high‑performance culture rooted in collaboration, safety, and personal ownership of results.
• Provide clear communication, guidance, and recognition to engage and inspire team members.
• Develop succession plans and training programs focused on lean principles, quality, and safety.
• Oversee all reconditioning processes, ensuring vehicles are completed on time, to quality specifications, and with minimal waste.
• Implement and maintain standardized work processes to ensure consistent outcomes and reduce variability.
• Lead the charge on 5S workplace organization, ensuring a safe, efficient, and visually managed facility.
• Manage department budgets, resource allocation, and equipment maintenance to support production needs.
• Collaborate with sales, logistics, and other departments to align production schedules with customer demand.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience:
  • Minimum 5–7 years of experience in Lean manufacturing operations.
  • At least 3 years in a leadership role, preferably managing team leads or supervisors.
• Proven success in a lean production environment, with hands‑on experience implementing 5S, standardized work, and waste reduction initiatives.
• Knowledge of automotive repair, detailing, inspection, and quality control processes is an asset.
• Exceptional leadership skills, with the ability to develop leaders and hold them accountable for performance.
• Data‑driven decision‑maker with experience using metrics to optimize efficiency.
• Excellent communication, organization, and time‑management skills.
• Flexible availability, including weekends and overtime, as needed.

Why you’ll love it at Clutch:

• Autonomy & Ownership – create your own path, and own your work
• Competitive Wages
• Health & Dental Benefits
• Generous Time Off Program
• Opportunity to work for an ambitious and fast‑moving startup

Clutch is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all individuals have an opportunity to succeed. If you require accommodation at any stage of the interview process, please email [e-mail].