Production Manager

Index Search; DeKalb (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Index Search in DeKalb, IL is seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead a fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing facility.

You will oversee daily operations, drive safety and quality, mentor supervisors and hourly teams, ensure on-time customer delivery, and champion Lean improvements.

This role offers the opportunity to impact operational performance and develop a skilled workforce within a stable, growing organization.

Qualifications

• 3+ years as Production Manager or similar leadership role.
• 5-7+ years in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading production, maintenance, quality, and safety functions.
• Experience in metals manufacturing or similar high-volume processes.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent industry experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day manufacturing operations and meet production goals.
• Drive safety, quality, performance, and on-time delivery.
• Develop supervisors and hourly teams on the plant floor.
• Champion Lean and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor KPIs and partner with cross-functional teams to optimize plant performance.
• Foster accountability and teamwork across the operation.

Skills

Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Safety culture

Mentoring and development

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Manufacturing/Business

Job description

Must have worked in a continuous operations environment such as:

• Metals
• Extrusion
• Plastics
• Rubber
• Chemicals
• Paper
• Packaging
• other high-volume process manufacturing.

Are you a hands-on manufacturing leader who thrives in a fast-paced production environment? We are seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead operations within a high-volume manufacturing facility producing critical industrial products. This is an opportunity to join a stable, growing organization where you'll have a direct impact on safety, quality, productivity, and team development.

What You'll Do

As the Production Manager, you will oversee all day-to-day manufacturing operations within your facility, ensuring production goals are achieved while maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead production operations for a high-volume manufacturing facility.
• Drive performance across production, maintenance, quality, and safety.
• Develop and mentor supervisors and hourly production teams.
• Ensure production schedules and customer delivery commitments are met.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor KPIs and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and reduce waste.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and operational excellence.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to optimize plant performance.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a leader who enjoys being on the plant floor, developing people, solving problems, and driving operational results.

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience as a Production Manager, Operations Manager, or similar manufacturing leadership role.
• 5-7+ years of progressive experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading production, maintenance, quality, and safety functions.
• Strong leadership skills with a proven ability to build engaged, accountable teams.
• Experience in wire and cable manufacturing, aluminum or copper processing, or similar metals manufacturing environments.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent industry experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Preferred Qualifications

• Union manufacturing experience.
• Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement experience.

Why This Opportunity?

• Lead a facility with approximately 30-50 employees.
• Join an established manufacturing operation with multiple production facilities.
• Make a meaningful impact on operational performance and employee development.
• Opportunity to help drive continuous improvement within a growing manufacturing organization.