Production Manager

Lucas James Talent Partners; New Castle (PA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Lucas James Talent Partners is seeking a Production Manager to lead day-to-day manufacturing operations in a multi-shift environment. The role ensures safety, quality, and timely production while driving continuous improvement initiatives and cost controls.

The ideal candidate will have strong leadership and communication skills, experience with ERP systems, and a track record of improving productivity and performance across departments.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience in manufacturing.
• Proven ability to manage production planning, workflow and labor management.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day production operations to achieve safety, quality, productivity, cost and delivery goals.
• Establish and monitor production performance metrics.
• Provide leadership and direction to Production Supervisors and employees.
• Plan staffing based on production schedules and business needs.
• Coordinate labor and resources to meet customer requirements while controlling costs.
• Monitor schedules and address issues impacting output.
• Ensure compliance with work instructions, safety standards, and company policies.
• Collaborate with HR on performance, attendance and development.
• Identify training needs and ensure training is completed.
• Promote accountability and a collaborative work environment.
• Ensure production reporting is accurate and timely.
• Partner with Quality and Maintenance on improvements and equipment downtime.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean/Six Sigma methodologies.

Skills

Leadership

Manufacturing Operations

Production Planning

Problem Solving

Communication

ERP Systems

Lean/Six Sigma

Multi-shift Supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

The Production Manager is responsible for leading and managing day-to-day manufacturing

operations to ensure production objectives are achieved safely, efficiently, and in accordance

with quality, cost, and delivery expectations. This position provides leadership and direction to

Production Supervisors and employees, manages staffing and production resources, monitors

performance, and drives continuous improvement throughout the manufacturing operation.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead day-to-day production operations to achieve established safety, quality, productivity, cost, and delivery objectives.
• Establish, monitor, and communicate production performance expectations and key performance indicators.
• Provide leadership, coaching, development, and direction to Production Supervisors and
• Plan and evaluate staffing requirements based on production schedules, business needs, employee availability, and operational priorities.
• Coordinate labor and production resources to meet customer and production requirements while controlling overtime and other operating costs.
• Monitor production schedules and proactively address issues that may impact output,
• Ensure production employees follow established work instructions, operating procedures, quality requirements, safety standards, and company policies.
• Partner with Human Resources and Production Supervisors regarding employee performance, attendance, development, training, and other employee-related matters.
• Identify employee training and development needs and ensure appropriate training is completed.
• Promote a positive, accountable, and collaborative work environment focused on employee engagement and operational excellence.
• Ensure production documentation and reporting are completed accurately and in a timely manner.
• Partner with Quality to address product quality concerns, non-conformances, corrective actions, and opportunities for improvement.
• Partner with Maintenance to prioritize equipment issues, minimize downtime, and support preventative maintenance activities.
• Evaluate production processes, equipment utilization, staffing, workflow, and work methods to identify opportunities to improve efficiency and performance.
• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other applicable methodologies.
• Participate in the evaluation and implementation of equipment, tooling, processes, and operational improvements necessary to support business objectives.
• Monitor and manage production-related expenses within established budgets and identify opportunities to improve cost performance.
• Support capital projects and equipment installations impacting production operations as required.
• Investigate production issues, determine root causes, and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with applicable workplace health and safety requirements and company safety programs.
• Maintain a visible presence on the production floor and actively engage with supervisors and employees across shifts.
• Coordinate production activities with other departments to ensure business objectives are accomplished in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide direct leadership and development to Production Supervisors.
• Establish clear performance expectations and hold the production team accountable for results.
• Conduct and/or participate in performance evaluations, coaching, corrective action, and employee development activities in partnership with Human Resources.
• Build supervisor capability and promote consistent application of company policies, procedures, and performance expectations across shifts.
• Foster effective communication, teamwork, accountability, and positive working relationships throughout the manufacturing operation.

REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, production planning, workflow, labor management, and continuous improvement.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, time-management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to analyze production data and use performance metrics to identify trends and drive improvement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to coach, develop, and hold employees and leaders accountable.
• Ability to work effectively across departments and levels of the organization.
• Ability to make sound decisions and effectively manage competing priorities in a fastpaced manufacturing environment.
• Strong commitment to workplace safety, product quality, customer service, and
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and experience working with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or manufacturing systems.
• Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement
• Ability to work a flexible schedule and provide leadership support outside regular business hours when operational needs require.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education and progressive manufacturing experience will be considered.
• Minimum of 5–8 years of progressive manufacturing experience, including significant supervisory or production leadership responsibility.
• Experience leading production operations in a multi-shift manufacturing environment strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience improving safety, quality, productivity, cost, and employee performance.
• Experience in plastics or a related manufacturing environment is an asset.
• Evidence of continued professional development and training is preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Regularly works in both an office setting and an active manufacturing/production
• Requires regular presence on the production floor, including walking and standing for periods of time to observe operations, engage with employees, and respond to production needs.
• Must be able to safely navigate manufacturing areas, including around operating equipment and machinery.
• May occasionally be required to bend, reach, climb stairs, or move throughout various areas of the facility in the performance of job duties.
• May occasionally be required to lift, carry, push, or pull items weighing up to 25 pounds (approximately 11 kg).
• Regular use of a computer, telephone, and other standard office equipment is required.
• The manufacturing environment may include exposure to noise, moving mechanical equipment, varying temperatures, and other conditions typical of an industrial facility.
• Required personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn in designated areas, and all applicable health and safety procedures must be followed.
• Must be able to respond to operational needs across shifts and may occasionally be required to work outside normal business hours.
• Reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with applicable law to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential duties of the position