Production Lead - Safety, Lean, and Performance Excellence

Insight Global; Hickory (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Insight Global seeks a Production Manager to lead a manufacturing operations department with a focus on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity. The role provides strategic and day-to-day leadership to production teams, plans labor, equipment, and materials, and drives continuous improvement through data-driven problem solving and cross-functional collaboration.

Strong focus on coaching, performance management, and development of staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a technical discipline is required.
• Minimum 5 years of manufacturing or operations experience.
• Minimum 3–5 years of leadership or supervisory experience in manufacturing.
• Demonstrated leadership in manufacturing operations with a strong focus on safety and performance.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and motivate teams while delivering results.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills using data and metrics.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication across all levels.
• Strong organizational, planning, and execution skills.
• Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement experience.
• Experience supporting new product introduction, equipment start-up, or process transfers into manufacturing.
• Exposure to multiple equipment platforms or manufacturing processes.
• Coaching and talent development.
• Accountability and performance management.

Responsibilities

• Lead department operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity targets
• Foster and maintain a safe work environment, ensuring compliance with all safety, environmental, and company standards
• Provide leadership and direction to production teams and supervisors, including coaching, performance management, and development
• Plan and allocate labor, equipment, and materials to meet production demand and operational priorities
• Monitor and improve equipment and process performance, including uptime, yield, and overall equipment effectiveness
• Lead resolution of operational issues through data-driven problem solving and cross-functional collaboration
• Support new product introduction, equipment installation, and start-up activities to ensure successful transition into manufacturing
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, efficiency, and cost reduction
• Manage departmental budgets, spending, and resource utilization to meet financial and operational targets
• Communicate operational performance, priorities, and risks to plant leadership and key stakeholders
• Ensure workforce readiness, staffing alignment, and capability development to meet current and future business needs

Skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Data analysis

Communication

Organizational skills

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or technical discipline

Job description

Insight Global seeks a Production Manager to lead a manufacturing operations department with a focus on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity. The role provides strategic and day-to-day leadership to production teams, plans labor, equipment, and materials, and drives continuous improvement through data-driven problem solving and cross-functional collaboration.

Strong focus on coaching, performance management, and development of staff.