Production Manager

Bradley Professional, A Division of the Bradley Group; Hickory (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Bradley Professional, a division of the Bradley Group, is seeking a Production Manager for a manufacturing client in Conover, NC. You will lead all manufacturing operations to meet safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets, and own production KPIs.

You will develop the team, oversee staffing and training, collaborate with maintenance, quality, sales and logistics, and drive continuous improvement through root cause analysis and corrective actions to achieve operational excellence.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years in a manufacturing or production environment with supervisory experience.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and decision-making skills.
• Understanding of production planning, scheduling, and manufacturing processes.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office; data-driven.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for all KPI’s in production, analyzing KPIs to identify opportunities across People, Processes, and Machines.
• Manage staffing and employee development to ensure qualified, high-performing employees.
• Participate in root cause analysis of CARs and coordinate with other departments to implement improvements.
• Collaborate with maintenance, quality, logistics, and sales to meet requirements and respond to needs of other departments.
• Coordinate with purchasing to ensure availability of nonconsumables and tools for production.
• Provide feedback to optimize scheduling and ensure WO packets are accurate and available to the team.
• Maintain floor presence and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Skills

KPI-driven operations

People leadership

Data analysis

Communication

Problem-solving

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Bradley Professional is currently seeking a Production Manager for their manufacturing client located in Conover, NC

The Production Manager is responsible for leading all manufacturing operations to ensure safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives are consistently achieved. This role drives performance through ownership of all production KPIs, analyzing results by line, shift, and individual performance to identify opportunities across People, Processes, and Machines.

The position oversees workforce development, staffing, and training to ensure a fully qualified and high-performing production team. It includes coaching, performance management, and succession development, particularly developing Process Leads and Assistant Production Managers into leadership roles.

Additionally, the position supports production planning and scheduling, ensures work order accuracy, maintains strong floor presence, and drives continuous improvement through root cause analysis and corrective actions.

Overall, the role is accountable for operational performance, team development, and execution excellence.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for all KPI’s in production department, analyzing KPIs to identify opportunities for improvement in the area of People, Processes, and Machines. Analyzing by Line, by Shift, and by individual performance. Create Key Focus assignments, coaching sessions or meetings as needed for Process Leads. (23%)
• Manage all employee development efforts in the Production dept. Ensure staffing levels are maintained with adequately trained and qualified employees. Handle all personnel requirements-needs from production department (5%)
• Participate in root cause analysis of all CARs including both customers driven and internal. Coordinate with other departments to implement all action items (improvements) necessary to meet requirements. (5%)
• Collaborate with other departments as needed to meet all requirements including maintenance, sales, quality, and logistics, while effectively communicating needs from production department as well respond effectively to the needs of other depts. (5%)
• Work in coordination with purchasing and materials management to ensure the necessary nonconsumable items and tools (supplies) for production department including needles, blades, etc., are available. (1%)
• Participate in production planning and scheduling as well as provide feedback to optimize scheduling to positively impact productivity, considering availability of raw materials. Ensure that the WO packets are prepared, accurate, complete and available to the production team. Issue daily communication notes to the production team (20%)
• Manage time spent on the floor to be effective and focused. (20%)
• Have coaching or disciplinary sessions with individuals / also coordinate with HR if there is a need. (1% or as needed)
• Plan, coordinate and monitor all activities under the APM’s responsibility including training and development of Process leads and Machine Operators to maximize operational effectiveness. Oversee development of APM into a management role. (20%)

Qualifications / Requirements:

Experience

3-5+ years in a manufacturing or production environment, including experience supervising or managing teams. Experience with KPI-driven operations and process improvement is preferred.

Leadership Skills

Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop employees and supervisors. Strong decision-making and conflict resolution skills.

Operational Knowledge

Understanding of production planning, scheduling, and manufacturing processes. Familiarity with root cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Technical Skills

Ability to analyze performance metrics and make data-driven decisions. Proficiency with production management systems, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word), and ERP/MRP systems.

Communication Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to collaborate across multiple departments effectively.

Problem-Solving

Strong analytical skills to identify operational gaps and implement effective solutions.

Work Ethic

Ability to maintain floor presence, manage multiple priorities, and work in a fast-paced environment.

Other Requirements

Flexibility to work varied shifts if required and commitment to safety and quality standards.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred but not required. Candidates with significant manufacturing leadership experience and demonstrated operational success will be strongly considered in lieu of formal education.