Production Manager

Versique Executive, Professional & Interim Recruiting; New Brighton (MN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

401(k) with Employer Match

Paid Time Off & Holidays

Job summary

A leading recruiting firm is seeking a production operations leader in New Brighton, MN. This role involves managing a team of 5-20, ensuring operational excellence through lean methodologies, and implementing quality controls. Candidates should have over 5 years of experience in production management within manufacturing. The position offers a competitive base salary and is committed to creating a diverse work environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of production or operations management in manufacturing.
• Proven experience leading production teams of 5-20 people.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and comfort learning new equipment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the production team through training and performance management.
• Own daily production scheduling and capacity planning.
• Establish quality control checkpoints across print and finishing phases.

Skills

Production management

Lean manufacturing

Cross-functional communication

Data-driven mindset

Job description

Our client is looking for a leader—equal parts operator, builder, and coach—who can step into an existing operation, learn how it runs, and own it. Someone who brings lean thinking, builds systems, and frees our CEO to focus on growth. This role directly leads a production team with accountability for culture, performance, and execution at every touchpoint.

Location

NE Minneapolis, MN, on-site

Salary Range

$75K to $105k/yr. base salary

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance
• 401(k) with Employer Match
• Paid Time Off & Holidays

Roles & Responsibilities

Production Scheduling & Workflow

• Build and manage a resource-based scheduling system, aligning machine capacity, labor hours, and material availability across diverse concurrent job types.
• Develop data‑driven production calendars that account for lead times, job complexity, throughput targets, and handoff timing with the install team.
• Own daily production scheduling, capacity planning, and workflow management across printing, finishing, lamination, and substrate prep.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Implement lean tools — 5S, value stream mapping, visual management, standard work — to reduce waste, minimize downtime, and improve throughput.
• Monitor and reduce waste and spoilage through proactive process design, not reactive correction.
• Build and present cost‑benefit analyses and ROI summaries for capital investments and process changes.

Quality Control

• Establish and maintain structured quality control checkpoints across print and finishing phases.
• Inspect output, maintain color consistency, and ensure every job meets brand standards before it ships.
• Bridge the gap between morning planning and measurable end‑of‑day results.

Inventory, Equipment & Vendor Management

• Own the full supply chain and inventory strategy, including material forecasting, vendor ordering, and cash‑flow optimization.
• Manage equipment maintenance schedules and material inventory.
• Manage vendor relationships.

KPI Tracking & Reporting

• Define, track, and report on key operational metrics: throughput (jobs completed per period), waste & spoilage %, on‑time completion rate (OTC), and labor utilization vs. capacity.
• Translate operational data into clear, team‑level action.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop the production team — training, performance management, and accountability.
• Conduct regular 1:1s and performance reviews, fostering a culture of excellence and ownership.
• Model and sustain the company standard of excellence.
• Coordinate cross‑functionally with sales, design, and project management to ensure accurate specs, realistic timelines, and smooth handoffs.

Required Skills & Experience

• 5+ years of production or operations management in manufacturing (printing, packaging, plastics, food production, contract manufacturing, or similar).
• Proven experience leading production teams of 5+–20 people with measurable results.
• Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience — demonstrated practice matters more than certification.
• ISO, or SGP‑certified environment.
• Strong mechanical aptitude; comfortable learning new equipment and processes quickly.
• Data‑driven mindset: you track metrics, identify trends, and make decisions based on evidence.
• Strong cross‑functional communicator — comfortable working with sales, design, and leadership.
• Experience within the printing industry, with a preferred experience in wide‑format expertise.
• Background in Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Familiarity with shop management or MIS software (job tracking, scheduling, estimating).
• Experience scaling a production team through a growth phase.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Versique is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse workforce. We consider all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.