Production Manager

Amity Die & Stamping Co.; Lake Forest (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K with match

Health & dental insurance

Performance-based bonuses

Job summary

Amity Die & Stamping Co. in Lake Forest, IL, seeks a hands-on Production Manager to lead manufacturing operations on the shop floor.

You will directly oversee a 21-person team across production, quality and logistics, ensuring safety, efficiency and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate has deep technical expertise with mechanical punch presses, strong leadership and communication skills, and a track record of reducing downtime and improving processes.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years hands-on experience with setup/operation of mechanical punch presses.
• Deep knowledge of Wintress or Link Press Controls.
• Proven die protection device setup, programming and use.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for machinery and processes.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal abilities.

Responsibilities

• Directly manage a 21-member team across production, quality and logistics.
• Schedule daily production and monitor performance to meet delivery targets.
• Oversee preventive maintenance to minimize downtime.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives and cost reductions.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions for production issues.
• Maintain a zero-injury safety environment.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Troubleshooting

Communication

Education

5+ years hands-on press experience

Tools

Wintress

Link Press Controls

Die protection devices

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated, hands-on Production Manager to lead our manufacturing operations. In this role, you will directly oversee a 21-person team across production, quality, and logistics, ensuring safety, efficiency, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate blends deep technical expertise in mechanical punch presses with exceptional people skills to foster a collaborative, high-performing shop floor. We offer a competitive salary, 401K w/ match, health & dental insurance & performance-based bonuses.

Amity Die and Stamping, located in Lake Forest IL, founded in 1943, is a family-held, precision metal fabrication and stamping manufacturer that has built its business on quality products that exceed customer expectations. The company prides itself on innovative metal solutions using equipment and technologies to help our customers achieve their product requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Development

• Directly manage a 21-member team: 15 press room operators, 3 QA technicians, 2 shipping clerks, and 1 receiving clerk.
• Hire and train all production-related personnel to build a skilled, versatile workforce.
• Enforce company rules and safety protocols to maintain a zero-injury environment.
• Lead with strong interpersonal skills, maintaining a visible, accessible presence on the shop floor.

Operations & Scheduling

• Schedule and monitor daily production activities to meet delivery performance targets.
• Oversee preventive maintenance schedules for all production machinery to minimize downtime.
• Conduct monthly work-in-progress (WIP) inventory counts with high accuracy.

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Drive company initiatives focused on continuous improvement, cost reductions, and efficiency gains.
• Lead corrective actions for production-related issues to resolve root causes and prevent recurrence.
• Troubleshoot complex punch press and process problems alongside the team.

Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience in the setup and operation of mechanical punch presses.
• Technical Knowledge: Deep familiarity with Wintress or Link Press Controls.
• Die Protection: Proven expertise in the setup, programming, and use of die protection devices.
• Problem Solving: Strong technical troubleshooting skills for both machinery and manufacturing processes.

Leadership: Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Location

13870 West Polo Trail Drive

Lake Forest, IL 60045