Production Manager

Polyethylene Containers, Inc.; El Dorado (AR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Polyethylene Containers, Inc. is seeking a Production Manager to lead a team of Shift Supervisors and Machine Operators in our Arkansas plant.

You will drive safety culture, optimize production, and oversee continuous improvement and lean initiatives while ensuring quality, delivery, and cost goals. The role requires a strong understanding of injection molding processes and production management systems, with hands-on leadership, coaching, and strategic planning to meet daily targets and build a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, manufacturing, or related field preferred.
• Experience in manufacturing plastics is a plus.
• Strong leadership and team management experience.
• Knowledge of safety regulations and practices.
• Proficiency with production software and related technology.

Responsibilities

• Check production machines daily to meet or exceed standard production efficiencies on all production lines.
• Cascade communication to Shift Supervisors on daily/weekly/monthly objectives.
• Lead daily production operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery and efficiency targets.
• Manage and develop production teams with coaching and performance feedback.
• Ensure a safe and compliant workplace, enforcing OSHA standards and safety audits.
• Monitor throughput, downtime, waste, cycle times and other KPIs.
• Maintain product quality, partner with Quality to resolve deviations and implement actions.
• Coordinate with Maintenance for reliability, PM schedules and repairs.
• Oversee material usage and inventory with Supply Chain to minimize waste.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean/5S to boost efficiency.
• Prepare production reports highlighting performance and risks to plant leadership.
• Foster a positive culture with accountability, teamwork and engagement.
• Create production packets per the daily schedule and verify output to specs.
• Complete ISF Audit at shift start and provide confirmed ISFs to Scheduler.
• Perform daily inventory checks to ensure orders are ready for delivery dates.
• Support scrap analysis and improvement efforts.
• Detect issues in efficiency and suggest improvements.
• Assist Shift Supervisors with administrative needs and documentation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Production management

Leadership

Problem solving

Safety compliance

Organizational skills

Inventory management

Production software

Education

Bachelor's degree in industrial engineering/manufacturing or related field

Job description

The Production Manager is responsible for directing a team of Shift Supervisors and their Machine Operators. You will direct all daily activities within the plant including leading a zero-injury work culture, production functions, driving continuous improvement, plant organization, housekeeping and other duties as required. You will have a strong understanding of the injection molding process and any production management systems.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Check production machines daily to meet or exceed standard production efficiencies on all production lines.
• Cascade communication down to Shift Supervisors on daily٫ weekly and monthly objectives provided by Plant Manager.
• Lead daily production operations to ensure targets for safety, quality, delivery, and efficiency are achieved.
• Manage and develop production teams, providing coaching, direction, and performance feedback to supervisors and hourly employees.
• Ensure a safe and compliant workplace, enforcing OSHA standards, conducting safety audits, and leading incident investigations.
• Monitor and improve production performance, including throughput, downtime, waste, cycle times, and other KPIs.
• Maintain product quality, partnering with Quality to resolve deviations, implement corrective actions, and uphold specifications.
• Coordinate with Maintenance to support equipment reliability, preventive maintenance schedules, and timely repairs.
• Oversee material usage and inventory, collaborating with Supply Chain to ensure availability of raw materials and minimize waste.
• Drive continuous improvement, applying Lean/5S principles to streamline processes and improve operational efficiency.
• Prepare and communicate production reports, highlighting performance, risks, and resource needs to plant leadership.
• Foster a positive work culture, promoting accountability, teamwork, communication, and employee engagement.
• Create production packets per the production schedule daily.
• Perform verification of production output according to specifications.
• Complete ISF Audit at the beginning of each shift and provide confirmed ISFs to Production Scheduler.
• Complete daily inventory check to ensure orders with inventory pull will be ready and in-full at anticipated delivery date.
• Support continuous improvement and scrap analysis to include reduction.
• Detect issues in efficiency and suggest improvements.
• Support Shift Supervisors with all administrative needs, including documentation (write-ups, terminations, timecard edits/approvals, PTO, etc.).
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Production and operations management skills, including process optimization and workflow efficiency improvement.
• Leadership and team management experience to effectively oversee production staff and ensure accountability.
• Strong critical thinking problem-solving and corrective action planning, decision-making skills to address production challenges and improve processes.
• Knowledge of safety regulations and practices within an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with attention to detail.
• Experience in resource and inventory management.
• Proficiency in production software and related technology.
• Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, manufacturing, or a related field preferred.
• Prior experience in manufacturing plastics is a plus.