Production Manager

Wahl Refractory Solutions; Fremont (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Wahl Refractory Solutions in Fremont, Ohio, is seeking a Production Manager to oversee all manufacturing operations, including RPD, Small Shapes, SIFCA/Hardcast, Forms/Turnkey, Ovens, and Packaging. This role provides leadership to Supervisors, Leads, and production personnel to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production execution across all manufacturing areas.

You will lead teams to achieve safety, quality, and productivity targets, coordinate staffing and workflow, and drive

Qualifications

• Minimum 5-7 years in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Minimum 3-5 years of supervisory or leadership experience.
• Fluency in English; strong communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee daily manufacturing operations across all production departments.
• Lead and support supervisors to ensure coverage of daily production schedules.
• Ensure safety, quality, and productivity targets are met and reported.
• Coordinate staffing, workflow, and material requirements to meet deliveries.
• Partner with Quality, Maintenance, Purchasing, Engineering, Shipping, and Operations.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

ERP experience

Lean manufacturing

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical certification / associate degree preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Wahl Refractory Solutions is an industry-leading provider of innovative precast refractory solutions serving the Steel, Nonferrous, and Minerals Processing industries. Wahl develops proprietary refractory formulations that are manufactured at its facility in Fremont, Ohio. The company has a long history of delivering groundbreaking refractory technologies that have been adopted by customers worldwide.

Job Summary

The Production Manager is responsible for overseeing all manufacturing operations within the facility, including RPD, Small Shapes, SIFCA/Hardcast, Forms/Turnkey, Ovens, and Packaging operations. This position provides leadership and direction to Supervisors, Leads, and production personnel to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production execution across all manufacturing areas.

The Production Manager is accountable for achieving organizational goals related to safety, quality, productivity, delivery performance, cost control, employee development, and continuous improvement. This role coordinates production scheduling, staffing, materials, equipment readiness, and workflow management to ensure production plans are executed effectively and customer expectations are met.

The Production Manager works closely with Quality, Maintenance, Purchasing, Engineering, Shipping, and Operations leadership to support operational performance and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the facility.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following is an outline of the basic duties and responsibilities of the above-titled position. It describes the duties and responsibilities in the broad scope, and is not intended to be all-inclusive, and does not constitute a contract of employment. Individual(s) in this position may from time-to-time be assigned other duties as appropriate.

A. Leadership and Operational Management

• Direct and oversee daily manufacturing operations across all production departments.
• Lead and support Supervisors and Leads to ensure effective execution of daily production schedules.
• Ensure production targets are achieved safely, efficiently, and in accordance with quality standards.
• Coordinate staffing, workflow, labor allocation, and production sequencing across departments.
• Review production schedules and prioritize work orders to meet customer delivery requirements.
• Monitor operational performance and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Respond to production issues, emergency orders, and shifting operational priorities.
• Ensure departments maintain proper organization, housekeeping, and material flow.
• Ensure all production areas are properly staffed with qualified personnel.
• Monitor and coordinate interdepartmental workflow between production areas.

B. Safety and Compliance

• Promote and enforce all company safety policies, procedures, and safe work practices.
• Ensure required safety checks, inspections, and training are completed and documented.
• Ensure proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Investigate incidents, injuries, near misses, and safety concerns and participate in corrective action implementation.
• Maintain compliance with all applicable OSHA, environmental, ISO, and company standards.
• Foster a culture of safety accountability throughout the manufacturing operation.

C. Quality Assurance

• Ensure adherence to all quality standards, manufacturing procedures, and customer specifications.
• Partner with Quality Assurance to address product quality concerns and implement corrective actions.
• Monitor production processes and identify opportunities to improve product consistency and process capability.
• Support implementation and compliance with Wahl’s Quality Management System.
• Ensure production documentation and records are completed accurately and timely.

D. Equipment, Materials, and Facility Coordination

• Coordinate with Maintenance to ensure equipment reliability and minimize downtime.
• Monitor facility and equipment conditions and elevate repair needs as appropriate.
• Coordinate with Purchasing and Inventory teams to ensure raw materials and production supplies are available.
• Ensure tools, machinery, measurement devices, forklifts, cranes, and testing equipment are maintained properly.
• Oversee housekeeping standards and proper storage of materials and supplies throughout the facility.

E. Team Leadership and Employee Development

• Provide leadership, coaching, and support to Supervisors, Leads, and production employees.
• Conduct shift meetings, safety discussions, and operational planning meetings.
• Support employee development through training, coaching, cross-training, and performance feedback.
• Address employee performance, attendance, and behavioral concerns in accordance with company policies.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, promotions, disciplinary actions, and employee evaluations.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, and positive employee relations throughout the manufacturing operation.

F. Continuous Improvement and Process Optimization

• Identify and implement process improvements that enhance safety, quality, productivity, and cost efficiency.
• Support lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Analyze operational performance metrics and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Assist with implementation of new processes, equipment, technologies, and operational procedures.
• Participate in cross-functional improvement initiatives and operational planning activities.

G. Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintain confidentiality of proprietary company information, formulas, specifications, and trade secrets.
• Complete production reports, labor tracking, operational documentation, and performance metrics accurately and timely.
• Utilize ERP systems and production tracking tools to support operational management.
• Communicate effectively with management, supervisors, maintenance, quality, purchasing, shipping, and production personnel.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the education, training, knowledge, experience, skill, and/or ability required.

A. Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Technical certification, associate degree, or relevant college coursework preferred.
• Minimum 5 - 7 years of experience in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Minimum 3 – 5 years of prior supervisory, team lead, or leadership experience.
• Strong communication, leadership, and conflict resolution skills.
• Working knowledge of workplace safety practices and quality standards.
• Experience with ERP systems or production tracking software preferred.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.).

B. Language & Communication Skills

• Fluency in English required.
• Ability to read procedures, technical drawings and prints, manuals/specifications and other documents in English.

C. Physical Demands

The physical demands described here represent those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands to handle tools or materials.
• Frequent reaching, bending, and manual handling.
• Ability to lift up to 65 pounds as needed.
• Work is performed primarily in a manufacturing environment.
• Exposure to airborne particles, dust, and industrial materials may occur.
• Noise levels may range from moderate to occasionally loud due to operating equipment.
• Regular exposure to varying temperatures, including heat and cold typical of industrial production facilities.