Production Manager

HR Connect Limited; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

HR Connect Limited in Hamilton, NZ, is seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead our day-to-day production operation. You will manage a team of 20-25 staff, supported by two Team Leaders, and work with the Resource Planning Manager to align schedules, resources and customer deadlines.

This role focuses on practical leadership in a stable manufacturing environment, balancing production, safety and quality while fostering teamwork across maintenance, customer services and sales.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Understanding of factory operations and balancing production, people and customer priorities.
• Calm, level-headed approach during production challenges.
• Ability to build strong relationships across all levels of the business.
• Fair, approachable and practical leadership style.
• Strong organisational and communication skills to keep people aligned.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a team of 20-25 staff through two Team Leaders.
• Partner with the Resource Planning Manager to ensure production runs efficiently and deadlines are met.
• Ensure products are manufactured safely, efficiently and to quality standards.
• Maintain an organised, productive and engaged factory environment.
• Collaborate with maintenance, customer services and sales to keep production moving.
• Manage performance, training and capability development across the production team.
• Contribute to business decisions as a member of the management team.

Skills

Leadership

Manufacturing experience

People management

Communication

Decision making

Job description

Are you an experienced Production Manager, Manufacturing Supervisor or Operations Leader who understands what it takes to keep a manufacturing operation running smoothly?

We're looking for a practical, people-focused leader to join our management team and take responsibility for the day-to-day operation of our production facility. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you'll lead a team of around 20-25 production staff, supported by two Team Leaders as your direct reports. You'll also work closely alongside the Resource Planning Manager, ensuring production schedules, resources and customer commitments are aligned to deliver quality outcomes. This role forms part of the Senior Leadership Team.

This isn't a heavily Lean or Continuous Improvement-focused environment. Instead, we're looking for someone with solid manufacturing experience who understands how production operations work, can make practical decisions, and enjoys leading people.

Job Description

About the Role

As Production Manager, you'll:

• Lead, coach and develop a team of 20-25 staff through two Team Leaders.
• Partner closely with the Resource Planning Manager to ensure production runs efficiently and customer deadlines are achieved.
• Ensure products are manufactured safely, efficiently and to the required quality standards.
• Maintain an organised, productive and engaged factory environment.
• Work collaboratively with maintenance, customer services and sales to keep production moving.
• Manage performance, training and capability development across the production team.
• Contribute to business decisions as a valued member of the management team.

Qualifications

About You

You'll bring:

• Proven leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
• A sound understanding of how a factory operates and the ability to balance production, people and customer priorities.
• A calm, level-headed approach, particularly when production challenges arise.
• The ability to build strong relationships across all levels of the business.
• A fair, approachable and practical leadership style.
• Strong organisational and communication skills, with the ability to keep people focused and working together.

Additional Information

Why Join Us?

• Monday to Friday role - 8-hour days with no shift work.
• Relaxed, down-to-earth culture where people enjoy coming to work.
• Genuine opportunity to influence the business as part of the management team.
• Join a stable manufacturing business where people are valued, decisions are practical, and teamwork comes first.

If you're an experienced manufacturing leader looking for a role where you can lead people, make decisions and be part of a collaborative leadership team, we'd love to hear from you.