Production Leader: Safety, Lean & Team Growth

Sonoco; College Heights (SC); On-site; USD 106,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan with company 0%

Wellbeing tools and Employee Assoc.

Job summary

Sonoco in College Heights, SC is seeking a Production Manager to lead daily manufacturing operations, ensure safety and regulatory compliance, and drive world‑class performance in safety, quality, productivity, and cost control.

You will empower production teams through coaching and training, coordinate staffing and scheduling, manage Lean, Six Sigma, 5S, and Kaizen improvements, oversee budgeting and capital projects, and partner with HR to sustain an engaged, high‑performing work environment.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Business, Safety, or a related field.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of manufacturing experience, including at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Demonstrated experience leading production teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S, or similar methodologies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with employees from diverse cultural, educational, and language backgrounds.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and ethical leadership.
• Ability to obtain Red Cross First Aid and CPR/AED certification.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule and support multiple shifts as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily manufacturing operations to meet goals and schedules.
• Enforce safety culture and regulatory compliance (OSHA/EPA).
• Develop and coach supervisors and production staff to maximize performance.
• Plan, schedule, and optimize staffing and material use across shifts.
• Drive continuous improvement through Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S initiatives.
• Ensure quality inspections and document corrective actions.
• Manage department budget and capital projects.

Skills

Leadership experience

Safety leadership

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Team development

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Associate degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Business, Safety, or a related field

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

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Job description

Sonoco in College Heights, SC is seeking a Production Manager to lead daily manufacturing operations, ensure safety and regulatory compliance, and drive world‑class performance in safety, quality, productivity, and cost control.

You will empower production teams through coaching and training, coordinate staffing and scheduling, manage Lean, Six Sigma, 5S, and Kaizen improvements, oversee budgeting and capital projects, and partner with HR to sustain an engaged, high‑performing work environment.