Production Manager

SSI Technologies; Janesville (WI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SSI Technologies, LLC is seeking a Production Manager to lead daily manufacturing operations in Janesville, WI. You will drive safety, quality, delivery, and productivity while coaching production supervisors and fostering a culture of continuous improvement on the factory floor.

Responsibilities include leading Gemba-focused problem solving, 5S and visual management, and cross-functional collaboration with Quality, Engineering, and Maintenance to meet customer requirements and quality targets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent manufacturing leadership experience.
• Experience leading production supervisors and hourly manufacturing employees.
• Demonstrated success improving quality, productivity, and operational performance.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• IATF 16949 experience. Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent, preferred.
• Knowledge of OEE, root cause analysis, and structured problem-solving methodologies, preferred.
• Five (5)+ years of manufacturing leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a strong and consistent presence on the manufacturing floor, supporting production operations, coaching supervisors, and resolving operational issues.
• Lead daily production activities to ensure safety, quality, delivery, and productivity goals.
• Conduct routine Gemba walks to identify operational issues and drive accountability.
• Ensure effective communication of production priorities, staffing requirements, and expectations across shifts.
• Lead, develop, coach, and evaluate Production Supervisors and frontline leaders.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Address performance concerns promptly and consistently while recognizing strong performance.
• Champion a quality-first culture and drive reduction of scrap, rework, and customer complaints.
• Own and sustain 5S standards and drive visual management throughout manufacturing areas.
• Monitor and improve KPIs (Safety, OEE, Labour, Scrap, Throughput) and lead continuous improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate with Maintenance to minimize downtime and improve equipment reliability.

Skills

Manufacturing Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

5S

Root Cause Analysis

Team Coaching

Cross Functional Collaboration

Quality Management

OEE

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent manufacturing leadership experience

Tools

Quality Management System (QMS)

Job description

Position Summary:

The Production Manager is responsible for the daily execution of manufacturing operations, ensuring the achievement of safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity objectives. This position provides visible leadership on the manufacturing floor, develops and coaches production supervisors, drives continuous improvement initiatives, and ensures compliance with quality standards, 5S requirements, and operational best practices.

Position Requirements:

1. Manufacturing Leadership
   • Maintain a strong and consistent presence on the manufacturing floor, spending the majority of time supporting production operations, coaching supervisors, and resolving operational issues.
   • Lead daily production activities to ensure attainment of safety, quality, delivery, and productivity goals.
   • Conduct routine Gemba walks to identify operational issues, reinforce standards, and drive accountability.
   • Ensure effective communication of production priorities, staffing requirements, and operational expectations across all shifts.
2. Supervisor & Employee Leadership
   • Lead, develop, coach, and evaluate Production Supervisors and frontline leaders.
   • Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, engagement, and continuous improvement.
   • Support employee development, succession planning, and workforce training initiatives.
   • Address performance concerns promptly and consistently while recognizing strong performance.
3. Quality Performance
   • Champion a quality-first culture throughout manufacturing operations.
   • Drive reduction of scrap, rework, customer complaints, and internal quality defects.
   • Lead containment activities and corrective action implementation for quality-related issues.
   • Partner with Quality and Engineering teams to improve process capability and manufacturing quality performance.
   • Utilize root cause analysis methodologies to identify and eliminate recurring problems.
4. 5S & Visual Management
   • Own and sustain 5S standards throughout all manufacturing areas.
   • Conduct regular 5S audits and ensure corrective actions are completed.
   • Drive workplace organization, visual controls, and housekeeping expectations.
   • Ensure manufacturing areas consistently meet established cleanliness and operational discipline standards.
5. Operational Excellence
   • Monitor and improve key performance indicators including: Safety Performance, OEE, Labor efficiency, Scrap, Rework, Throughput, Schedule attainment, Overtime
   • Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on waste elimination and productivity improvement.
   • Support implementation of new equipment, process improvements, and operational best practices.
   • Coordinate with Maintenance to minimize downtime and improve equipment reliability.
6. Labor Management
   • Manage staffing levels and labor utilization to support production demands.
   • Review overtime requirements and implement actions to optimize labor efficiency.
   • Ensure production resources are appropriately allocated to meet customer requirements.
   • Support workforce planning efforts in partnership with Human Resources.
7. Cross Functional Collaboration
   • Partner with Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Materials teams to achieve performance objectives.
   • Support production readiness for product launches, engineering changes, and customer requirements.
   • Participate in problem-solving activities related to production, quality, delivery, and cost performance.
8. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
9. Individuals directed by management to operate a vehicle for work purposes will observe the requirements of the Fleet Safety Program.
10. Support, promote, and perform in a manner consistent with continuous improvement goals and the values of SSI Technologies, LLC. which includes following the policies, procedures, and requirements of our Quality Management and IS0 14001 Environmental Management Systems.
11. All other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

Professional/Technical Experience, Skills and Education:

1. Bachelor's degree or equivalent manufacturing leadership experience, required.
2. Experience leading production supervisors and hourly manufacturing employees, required.
3. Demonstrated success improving quality, productivity, and operational performance, required.
4. Experience with Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and continuous improvement initiatives, required.
5. IATF 16949 experience. Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent, preferred.
6. Knowledge of OEE, root cause analysis, and structured problem-solving methodologies, preferred.
7. Five (5)+ years of manufacturing leadership experience, required.

Key Attributes:

• Has a high degree of latitude/minor oversight
• Handles the most complex of issues.
• Advanced level of knowledge.
• Acts as leader.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.