Operations Manager

Safariland, LLC; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off (PTO)

Tuition assistance

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Safariland, LLC is looking for a Production Manager in Jacksonville, Florida. This role will lead day-to-day manufacturing operations within a ballistic armor production facility, focusing on effective Operations deployment, quality assurance, and timely delivery. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related fields and 5+ years of leadership experience in manufacturing. The position offers a range of benefits including medical insurance and a wellness program.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience improving on time delivery and finished goods quality.
• Proven problem-solving skills in a production environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily production execution across assigned lines.
• Own performance to the production plan for safety and quality.
• Partner with Quality to investigate non-conformances.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing principles

Problem solving

Communication

Results-driven

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, or related field

Job description

TOGETHER, WE SAVE LIVES

Summary

The Production Manager is responsible for leading day-to-day manufacturing operations within a ballistic and hard armor production facility. This role is accountable for effective Operating Model deployment, finished goods quality, and on time delivery. The Production Manager partners with Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and EHS to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient operations while driving continuous improvement and team accountability.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily production execution across assigned lines, cells, or value streams.
• Own performance to the production plan, including safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity targets.
• Provide direct leadership, coaching, and development to Production Supervisors.
• Ensure consistent deployment of the Operating Model, including standard work, visual management, tiered daily meetings, and structured problem solving.
• Partner with Quality to investigate non conformances and drive root cause corrective actions.
• Maintain compliance with applicable customer requirements, industry standards (e.g., NIJ or equivalent), and internal quality systems.
• Promote and sustain a strong safety culture through visible leadership, audits, and corrective actions.
• Ensure on time delivery through effective scheduling, labor planning, and capacity management.
• Identify and manage constraints, bottlenecks, and material availability risks.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain and Engineering to resolve shortages, changes, and production disruptions.
• Use metrics and data to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead Kaizen events and improvement projects focused on throughput, quality, labor efficiency, and waste reduction.
• Set performance expectations and hold team accountable for results.
• Partner with HR on hiring, onboarding, training, performance management, and employee relations.
• Foster collaboration, accountability, and clear communication across production teams and functional partners.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing environment, including direct leadership of supervisors.
• Demonstrated experience improving on time delivery and finished goods quality.
• Strong working knowledge of Operating Model / Lean manufacturing principles.
• Proven problem solving and decision making skills in a production environment.
• Experience in ballistic armor, composites, defense, aerospace, or similarly regulated manufacturing preferred.
• Experience working in environments with strict quality, traceability, and customer compliance requirements.

Key Competencies

• Resultsdriven and executionfocused
• Strong people leadership and coaching skills
• Clear, direct communicator
• Comfort operating in fastpaced, deadline driven environments
• Continuous improvement mindset

Physical & Work Environment

• Regular presence on the manufacturing floor.
• Ability to work around industrial equipment, materials, and PPE requirements.
• Occasional extended hours or offshift support based on production needs.

Benefits

• Medical, dental & vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Employer paid life insurance and AD&D
• Employer paid disability
• Wellness program
• Adoption assistance
• Tuition assistance
• Employee assistance program
• Work life balance
• Paid time off (PTO), sick leave and paid holidays throughout the calendar year (consistent with relevant state law and company policies)

The Safariland Group believes in the benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to equal opportunity and affirmative actions. We pride ourselves on hiring and developing the best people, without regard to age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic characteristics, race, color, creed, religion, ethnicity, national origin, alienage, citizenship, disability, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or any other legally recognized protected basis prohibited by applicable law.

For those applicants with disabilities, if you require reasonable accommodation in searching for a job opening or submitting an application, please contact us by calling 888-469-6455.

All employment decisions are solely based on the applicant's qualifications as they relate to the requirements of the position.