Manufacturing Manager

BIC; Milford (CT); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

BIC World is seeking a Manufacturing Manager to lead 3-shift production with a workforce of 100+, driving safety, quality and efficiency across the plant in Milford, CT. You will own budgets, coach leaders, and implement cost-reduction initiatives.

The role requires strong cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain, plus expertise in Lean and Six Sigma to improve OEE and meet business goals.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in high-volume consumer products manufacturing.
• Experience leading supervisors and multi-shift teams in organizations of 50+ employees preferred.
• Proven ability to develop frontline leaders, establish accountability, and drive measurable improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day manufacturing operations across a 3-shift environment with 100+ employees.
• Drive safety, quality, delivery, productivity, labor efficiency, and cost metrics.
• Own the production budget and monitor variances in labor, materials, overhead, and costs.
• Implement cost-reduction and productivity initiatives without compromising safety or quality.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to meet plant objectives.
• Lead Lean/Six Sigma initiatives to reduce waste and improve OEE.

Skills

Manufacturing leadership

Multi-shift operations

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Data analysis

Problem solving

Team development

Budget management

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field

Job description

Join BIC World, a community of brands dedicated to creating ingeniously simple and joyful products that have been part of hearts and homes for over 75 years. We are committed to growing our iconic and innovative brands by reimagining everyday essentials in new, sustainable, and responsible ways.

Our culture encourages a "roll up your sleeves and get the job done" mindset, ensuring self-starters, problem solvers, and innovative thinkers can truly thrive. At BIC World, you are empowered to take ownership of your career and use your unique perspective to make a meaningful, global impact on our mission.

Manufacturing Manager

We are seeking an experienced Manufacturing Manager to lead manufacturing operations across our 3-shift production environment. This role will provide leadership to production supervisors and departmental managers while overseeing a workforce of 100+ employees.

The Manufacturing Manager will be responsible for driving operational performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and employee engagement. This position will hold budgetary responsibility for production costs, labor efficiency, and capital projects and will play a pivotal role in planning, coordinating, and directing activities that directly impact the manufacturing of our Lighters.

This leader will also be responsible for developing a high-performing operations team, strengthening accountability at all levels, and partnering cross-functionally to continuously improve manufacturing performance.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day manufacturing operations across a 3-shift environment, providing direction and leadership to production supervisors, departmental managers, and a workforce of 100+ employees.
• Establish clear performance expectations and develop, coach, and hold manufacturing leaders accountable for achieving operational objectives.
• Drive performance across key manufacturing metrics, including safety, quality, delivery, productivity, labor efficiency, OEE, waste/scrap, and cost.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement throughout the manufacturing organization.
• Ensure products consistently meet or exceed established quality standards and customer expectations.
• Maintain compliance with applicable health, safety, quality, regulatory, and company requirements.
• Own the production budget and actively monitor and manage variances related to labor, materials, overhead, and other manufacturing costs.
• Identify and implement cost-reduction and productivity initiatives without compromising safety, quality, or product integrity.
• Utilize Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies to eliminate waste, improve OEE, increase capacity, and optimize manufacturing processes.
• Analyze production data and performance trends to identify opportunities, address operational constraints, and implement corrective actions.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective action efforts related to significant production, quality, safety, efficiency, and delivery issues.
• Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Human Resources, and other teams to achieve plant and business objectives.
• Collaborate with Engineering and technical teams to integrate new automated technologies, robotics, equipment, and data-driven systems into manufacturing operations.
• Effectively allocate labor, equipment, and other resources to optimize production capacity and meet business requirements.
• Support manufacturing strategies and initiatives aligned with broader plant and organizational objectives.
• Promote strong employee relations and effective leadership practices within a unionized manufacturing environment.
• Prepare, analyze, and present manufacturing performance, operational results, improvement initiatives, and business needs to senior management.
• Stay current on manufacturing technologies, operational best practices, and continuous improvement concepts that may enhance plant performance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment; consumer products manufacturing experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading supervisors and production teams within a multi-shift manufacturing operation; experience overseeing organizations of 50+ employees strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to develop frontline leaders, establish accountability, and drive measurable improvements in manufacturing performance.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, production management principles, and industry standards.
• Demonstrated experience managing operational KPIs such as safety, quality, delivery, productivity, labor efficiency, cost, and OEE.
• Experience with production budgeting, cost management, forecasting, and business planning.
• Demonstrated experience applying Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma principles to improve operational performance; formal certification preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience using production data to identify trends and drive corrective actions.
• Working knowledge of applicable health, safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong organizational, communication, decision-making, and leadership skills.
• Experience working in a unionized manufacturing environment is strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in business management, Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, or a related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require.

BIC World is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strongly commit to hiring people with different backgrounds and experiences to help us build better products, make better decisions, and better serve our customers. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability status, or similar characteristics. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.

BIC World is not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms for this employment opportunity. Regardless of past practice, all resumes submitted by search firms to any team member at BIC via email, or directly to a BIC team member in any form without a valid written search agreement in place for that position will be deemed the sole property of BIC, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by BIC as a result of the referral or through other means.