Assistant Production Manager

Gilder Search Group; Spartanburg, Northern (SC, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Our client, an established Tier 1 automotive supplier in Upstate South Carolina, seeks an Assistant Production Manager to support daily manufacturing operations and lead the production team in safety, quality, cost, and productivity goals.

Ideal candidates have supervisory experience in automotive manufacturing, knowledge of Lean, TPM or Lean Six Sigma, and a proven ability to lead cross‑functional teams in a fast paced environment.

Qualifications

• Previous supervisory or management experience in an automotive manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated leadership of safety initiatives that support a zero-injury culture
• Strong understanding and application of continuous improvement principles and practices, including Lean Manufacturing, TPM, and/or Lean Six Sigma
• Experience building and leading high-performing teams
• Experience working with and influencing cross-functional teams
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to effectively communicate with employees at all levels of an organization
• Growth and continuous learning mindset

Responsibilities

• Manage daily production operations to achieve Safety, Quality, Cost, and Productivity goals
• Promote a safe work environment and ensure compliance with company safety policies and procedures
• Ensure quality process controls are in place and consistently followed
• Maintain production schedules to meet customer demand
• Conduct daily team meetings to communicate expectations, priorities, and production needs
• Maintain and enforce proper document control within the production area
• Provide hands‑on leadership and direction to production employees
• Drive a Lean Manufacturing culture
• Lead and participate in continuous improvement activities
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support production goals and operational performance

Skills

Supervisory experience

Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Safety culture

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Tools

Lean Manufacturing

TPM

Lean Six Sigma

Job description

Our client, an established Tier 1 automotive supplier in the Upstate South Carolina area, is seeking an Assistant Production Manager to support daily manufacturing operations. This position will help ensure Safety, Quality, Cost, and Productivity goals are achieved while providing hands‑on leadership to the production team.

The ideal candidate has previous supervisory or management experience in automotive manufacturing, a strong understanding of Metal Stamping, Lean Manufacturing principles, and experience leading teams in a fast‑paced production environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage daily production operations to achieve Safety, Quality, Cost, and Productivity goals
• Promote a safe work environment and ensure compliance with company safety policies and procedures
• Ensure quality process controls are in place and consistently followed
• Maintain production schedules to meet customer demand
• Conduct daily team meetings to communicate expectations, priorities, and production needs
• Maintain and enforce proper document control within the production area
• Provide hands‑on leadership and direction to production employees
• Drive a Lean Manufacturing culture
• Lead and participate in continuous improvement activities
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support production goals and operational performance

Qualifications

• Previous supervisory or management experience in an automotive manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated leadership of safety initiatives that support a zero‑injury culture
• Strong understanding and application of continuous improvement principles and practices, including Lean Manufacturing, TPM, and/or Lean Six Sigma
• Experience building and leading high‑performing teams
• Experience working with and influencing cross‑functional teams
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to effectively communicate with employees at all levels of an organization
• Growth and continuous learning mindset

Why Join ?

• Join an established Tier 1 automotive manufacturing operation
• Take on a hands‑on leadership role with direct impact on safety, quality, productivity, and customer delivery
• Help drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives
• Work closely with production and cross‑functional teams
• Opportunity to continue developing your manufacturing leadership experience