Production Manager

ZF Group; Gray Court (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Incentive Plan

Paid Vacation

Personal Time

401k Plan

Health Care Benefits

Paid Holidays

Employee Groups & Outreach

Job summary

ZF Group in Gray Court, SC, is seeking a Production Manager to lead all production operations within the assigned area, driving high-level process improvements and strategic planning to meet plant objectives and corporate standards. This role requires extensive experience in operations management, lean methods, and cross-functional collaboration to optimize safety, quality, and efficiency.

The successful candidate will oversee production personnel, monitor results against plans, and partner with

Qualifications

• 8-10+ years of advanced experience in operations management within the durable manufacturing industry.
• 6+ years in operations management, supply chain, maintenance, manufacturing/industrial engineering, or business planning.
• 4+ years of project management or supervisory experience in manufacturing.
• 2+ years of managing/directing others and training programs.

Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee production personnel and activities to meet safety, quality, delivery, quantity, and cost targets.
• Monitor department operating results against the business plan.
• Plan, design, and implement manufacturing methods through continuous improvement and lean manufacturing; monitor processes for compliance and effectiveness.
• Identify internal process issues and work with internal and external teams to develop and implement solutions; document corrective actions for nonconformances.
• Collaborate with internal groups (manufacturing, purchasing, engineering, quality, etc.) and outside suppliers/contractors to support business development, capacity, and continuity.
• Identify tools/equipment needs and skill gaps; implement strategy to close gaps and strengthen equipment efficiency (OEE); review performance and provide necessary support.
• Lead resolution of manufacturing problems with senior management, engineering, and quality leadership; recommend improvements to machines/equipment.
• Lead continuous improvement programs and support team efforts to increase OEE.
• Ensure compliance with IATF-16949 and ISO-14001, and corporate policies; develop new procedures if necessary.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Lean methodologies

Continuous improvement

Operations management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a technical field

Job description

Reporting to the Senior Operations Manager, the Production Manager is responsible for managing the production operations within the assigned area of manufacturing through high-level process improvements and strategic planning methods surrounding the operational output and processes in order to support and fulfill the objectives of the plant, all while ensuring local adherence to global objectives and corporate standards.

What you can look forward to as a Production Manager:

• Manage and oversee all production personnel and related activities (i.e. ZF Production System management) to ensure the satisfaction of targets related to safety, quality, delivery, quantity, and cost; responsible for managing the production area by establishing targets with the overall aim of optimizing processes as well as minimizing bottlenecks and downtime.
• Monitor and evaluate department operating results in comparison to business plan.
• Plan, select, design, and implement manufacturing methods and processes through continuous improvement and lean manufacturing techniques, monitor and audit processes for compliance and effectiveness.
• Identify internal process issues and work with internal and external teams to develop and implement solutions; ensure corrective actions are documented and implemented for any applicable nonconformance.
• Work with internal groups (e.g. manufacturing, purchasing, engineering, program/launch management, quality, etc.), in addition to outside suppliers/contractors to support business development, capacity, and continuity.
• Identify tools/equipment needs and organizational skill requirements, assess gaps in key skill areas and capacity, implement strategy to close the gaps and strengthen the organization and overall equipment efficiency (OEE); review performance of personnel and provide tools for direct reports to achieve goals and receive plant support (in terms of personnel, equipment, training, deviations signoff, etc.).
• Confer with senior management in addition to engineering and quality leadership personnel to lead the resolution of manufacturing problems; recommend measures to improve OEE and performance of machines/equipment (i.e. replacements, upgrades, software enhancements, etc.).
• Lead continuous improvement programs and provide support to team efforts to increase OEE.
• Ensure departmental compliance with all IATF-16949 and ISO-14001 requirements, ZF corporate policies, and divisional directives; initiate and support the development of new procedures if necessary.

Your Profile as Production Manager:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a technical field
• 8-10+ years of advanced experience in operations management within the durable manufacturing industry
• 6+ years of experience encompassing most the following areas: operations management, supply chain management, maintenance, manufacturing/industrial engineering, and/or business planning
• 4+ years of project management and/or supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment
• 2+ years of managing/directing others in addition to delegating/tracking independent work assignments and training programs
• Proven leader with strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Expert in manufacturing operations, plant management, and lean methodologies.
• Deep operational knowledge of machining, assembly, and heat treatment processes.

What We Offer:

• A supportive collaborative team environment
• Annual Incentive Plan
• Paid Vacation
• Personal Time
• 401k Plan
• Health Care Benefits
• Paid Holidays
• Supportive Employee Groups and community outreach activities

Additional Information

ZF does not offer visa sponsorship for this role (e.g., H-1B, TN), and candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. without requiring sponsorship by ZF now or in the future. This role also does not include any immigration-related support, including—but not limited to—being listed on government forms, providing documentation for work authorization, coordinating with universities, or participating in training plans or other procedures related to visa status (e.g., H-1B, TN, F-1 OPT/CPT, J-1, O-1, L-1, E-3, and any other status requiring employer sponsorship or immigration-related support). IF YOU REQUIRE ANY FORM OF VISA SPONSORSHIP OR ANY IMMIGRATION SUPPORT NOW OR IN THE FUTURE, PLEASE DO NOT APPLY.