Production Manager

UPL; Kingstree (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

UPL is seeking a Production Manager to lead daily manufacturing operations, ensuring safety, efficiency and cost-effectiveness while meeting customer demand. You will oversee production plan execution, workforce management, process optimization, maintenance coordination, inventory accuracy and continuous improvement across the plant.

The role involves cross-functional teamwork, budgeting oversight, and driving performance metrics like OEE, throughput and cycle times to exceed plant objectives.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering.
• A minimum of five years’ experience in an operations supervisory or management role in a manufacturing environment.
• Excellent written & verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated excellence in collaboration, leadership and team development.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel/Word/Outlook/PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Execute daily, weekly, and monthly production plans aligned with customer demand and plant objectives.
• Collaborate closely with planners/schedulers to optimize production capacity and resource utilization.
• Adjust production schedules based on equipment breakdowns, material shortages, and priority changes.
• Ensure raw materials, packaging, and labor resources are available to meet schedule requirements.
• Drive schedule attainment while balancing safety, quality, cost, and service targets.
• Lead and develop supervisors, operators, and shift teams across production operations.
• Allocate manpower across production lines based on throughput and packaging requirements.
• Lead Lean / Continuous Improvement initiatives to improve productivity and reduce costs.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Team development

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The Production Manager directs supervisors and assigned personnel within the Production Department. The Production Manager is responsible for leading daily manufacturing operations that ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective production while meeting customer demand, quality standards, and plant objectives. The Production Manager oversees production plan execution, workforce management, process optimization, maintenance coordination, inventory accuracy, and continuous improvement initiatives across the manufacturing operation. The Production Manager also leads/participates in the plant special projects and is part of any cross-functional improvement team.

JOB RESPOSIBILITIES:

Production, Scheduling & Process Controls

• Execute daily, weekly, and monthly production plans aligned with customer demand and plant objectives.
• Collaborate closely with planners/schedulers to optimize production capacity and resource utilization.
• Adjust production schedules based on equipment breakdowns, material shortages, and priority changes.
• Ensure raw materials, packaging, and labor resources are available to meet schedule requirements.
• Drive schedule attainment while balancing safety, quality, cost, and service targets.
• Lead and develop supervisors, operators, and shift teams across production operations.
• Allocate manpower across production lines based on throughput and packaging requirements.

Workforce Management

• Lead and develop supervisors, operators, and shift teams across production operations.
• Allocate manpower across production lines based on throughput and packaging requirements.
• Manage staffing levels including temporary labor to achieve operational efficiency targets.
• Approve timecards and oversee attendance, disciplinary actions, grievances, and performance reviews.
• Train, coach, and develop workforce to improve technical and leadership capabilities.

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Lead and develop supervisors, operators, and shift teams across production operations.
• Allocate manpower across production lines based on throughput and packaging requirements.
• Manage staffing levels including temporary labor to achieve operational efficiency targets.
• Approve timecards and oversee attendance, disciplinary actions, grievances, and performance reviews.
• Train, coach, and develop workforce to improve technical and leadership capabilities.
• Responsible for safety & environmental performance of production staff & production area

Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Track and analyze KPIs including:
• Production Volume
• Throughput
• MH/KL
• Cost/KL
• OEE / Utilization
• Schedule Attainment
• Identify performance trends and improvement opportunities.
• Prepare operational reports for Plant Manager / Manufacturing Leadership.
• Monitor departmental budgets, spending, and forecast performance.

Maintenance Coordination

• Coordinate with Maintenance Manager on preventive and corrective maintenance planning.
• Support equipment shutdown planning and execution.
• Coordinate contractors and maintenance vendors during repair/upgrade activities.
• Ensure operational readiness of production equipment.

Inventory & Material Management

• Align raw material and packaging inventory with production requirements.
• Track material consumption vs standards and investigate variances.
• Support EOR / cycle count / inventory accuracy initiatives.
• Coordinate with Logistic Department for efficient material flow in and out of production.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify bottlenecks, waste, and inefficiencies in production processes.
• Lead Lean / Continuous Improvement initiatives to improve productivity and reduce costs.
• Improve cycle times, labor efficiency, and throughput.
• Support automation and process upgrade projects.

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering a
• A minimum of five years’ experience in an operations supervisory or management role in a manufacturing environment
• Excellent written & verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated excellence in collaboration, leadership and team development
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel/Word/Outlook/PowerPoint)

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of experience in a chemical manufacturing environment
• Two or more years of experience with chemical processing and packaging equipment
• Two or more years of experience in leading continuous improvement initiatives
• Two or more years of experience in implementing lean manufacturing concepts