Production Manager

Talently; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership opportunities

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Talently is seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead multiple production areas in a growing manufacturing organization in Lincoln, NE. You will develop frontline leaders, ensure safe and efficient operations, and drive continuous improvement to deliver high quality and customer satisfaction.

The ideal candidate balances strategic thinking with hands-on execution, excels at people development, process improvement, and building a culture of accountability and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Operations Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field (equivalent experience considered).
• 5+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Experience leading supervisors, production managers, or multiple production departments.
• Strong understanding of production operations, workforce management, quality systems, and manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated success improving operational performance through data-driven decision making.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems; experience with Epicor is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop Production Area Managers, supervisors, team leads, and production employees.
• Foster a culture of engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct performance reviews, workforce planning, succession planning, and leadership development activities.
• Partner with Human Resources to support employee relations, training initiatives, and talent development programs.
• Direct daily manufacturing operations to ensure production schedules, quality standards, and customer delivery commitments are achieved.
• Monitor and improve KPIs including safety, productivity, quality, labor efficiency, scrap, on-time delivery, and OEE.
• Manage staffing levels and production resources to meet changing customer demand and business objectives.
• Lead daily production reviews and communication processes to ensure alignment across departments.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the operation.
• Identify opportunities to improve throughput, reduce waste, increase efficiency, and lower production costs.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action efforts related to quality, production, and process issues.
• Drive implementation of process improvements, automation initiatives, and best manufacturing practices.
• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture through compliance with company policies, OSHA requirements, and environmental standards.
• Ensure production activities meet established quality standards and customer expectations.
• Partner with Quality teams to drive corrective actions and continuous improvement efforts.
• Support internal and external audits and ensure compliance with quality management systems.
• Work closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Maintenance, Customer Service, and other functional teams to support operational goals.
• Support new product introductions, process development, and manufacturing transfers as required.
• Participate in strategic planning and execution of capital projects, equipment investments, and facility improvements.
• Partner with leadership to support long-term operational growth and capacity planning.

Skills

Leadership

Data-driven decisions

Communication

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Operations Management, Engineering, or Business

Tools

Epicor ERP

Job description

Are you an experienced manufacturing leader who thrives on building high-performing teams and driving operational excellence?

We are seeking a Production Manager to lead multiple production areas within a growing manufacturing organization. This role is responsible for developing frontline leaders, ensuring safe and efficient operations, and driving continuous improvement while delivering exceptional quality and customer satisfaction.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who can balance strategic thinking with day-to-day operational execution. They are passionate about developing people, improving processes, and building a culture of accountability, safety, and teamwork.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop Production Area Managers, supervisors, team leads, and production employees.
• Foster a culture of engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct performance reviews, workforce planning, succession planning, and leadership development activities.
• Partner with Human Resources to support employee relations, training initiatives, and talent development programs.

Production & Operational Excellence

• Direct daily manufacturing operations to ensure production schedules, quality standards, and customer delivery commitments are achieved.
• Monitor and improve key performance indicators (KPIs) including safety, productivity, quality, labor efficiency, scrap, on-time delivery, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Manage staffing levels and production resources to meet changing customer demand and business objectives.
• Lead daily production reviews and communication processes to ensure alignment across departments.

Continuous Improvement

• Champion Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the operation.
• Identify opportunities to improve throughput, reduce waste, increase efficiency, and lower production costs.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action efforts related to quality, production, and process issues.
• Drive implementation of process improvements, automation initiatives, and best manufacturing practices.

Safety & Quality

• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture through compliance with company policies, OSHA requirements, and environmental standards.
• Ensure production activities meet established quality standards and customer expectations.
• Partner with Quality teams to drive corrective actions and continuous improvement efforts.
• Support internal and external audits and ensure compliance with quality management systems.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Maintenance, Customer Service, and other functional teams to support operational goals.
• Support new product introductions, process development, and manufacturing transfers as required.
• Participate in strategic planning and execution of capital projects, equipment investments, and facility improvements.
• Partner with leadership to support long-term operational growth and capacity planning.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Operations Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field; equivalent experience will be considered.
• 5+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Experience leading supervisors, production managers, or multiple production departments.
• Strong understanding of production operations, workforce management, quality systems, and manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated success improving operational performance through data-driven decision making.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems; experience with Epicor is a plus.

Preferred

• Experience in electrical assembly, electronics manufacturing, industrial equipment, electromechanical products, or related manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience implementing automation or advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification preferred.
• Experience managing capital improvement projects and equipment installations.

What We're Looking For

• A strong people leader who develops and empowers teams.
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Skilled at using data and metrics to drive performance improvements.
• Comfortable leading change and implementing new processes.
• Collaborative, practical, and focused on delivering results.

Why Join Us?

• Positive, collaborative, and down-to-earth culture.
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunity to make a visible impact within a growing manufacturing organization.
• Stable business environment with long-term growth potential.
• Direct involvement in automation and operational improvement initiatives.
• High level of exposure to senior leadership and key decision-makers.
• Leadership team that values initiative, accountability, and practical problem-solving.
• Employee ownership opportunities and the ability to share in the company's success.

If you're passionate about developing people, improving manufacturing operations, and making a measurable impact, we'd love to hear from you. Join a team where your leadership, expertise, and ideas will help shape the future of our operations.