Production Manager

Excellart; Olathe (KS); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A manufacturing company in Olathe is seeking a Production Manager to lead day-to-day operations. Responsibilities include planning and scheduling production, managing workflow, and leading continuous improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of manufacturing experience, strong problem-solving skills, and a hands-on leadership style. The role requires strong engagement on the shop floor and the ability to optimize workflow and procedures. This position necessitates physical stamina due to the manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of manufacturing or production leadership experience.
• Ability to lead teams in a fast-paced production environment.
• Strong understanding of workflow optimization.

Responsibilities

• Plan, schedule, and execute daily and weekly production.
• Manage production flow across all operations.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Manufacturing leadership

Production scheduling

Problem-solving

Labor planning

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Reporting directly to the VP of Operations,the Production Manager is responsible for leading day‑to‑day manufacturing operations to ensure safe, efficient, and on‑time production of Excellart products. This role oversees production planning, labor management, quality, and continuous improvement while driving production optimization and scalable plant operations.

This is a hands‑on leadership role that balances strong floor presence with planning, problem‑solving, and cross‑functional coordination.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

Production & Operations

• Plan, schedule, and execute daily and weekly production to meet customer orders, lead times, and quality standards
• Manage production flow across cutting, fabrication, kitting, assembly, and packaging operations
• Identify and resolve bottlenecks, labor constraints, and material availability issues
• Ensure accurate work orders, routings, and production reporting
• Lead daily production across fabrication, kitting, and assembly
• Actively support production by stepping into hands‑on roles as needed
• Own key production performance metrics including throughput, labor efficiency, scrap, rework, and on‑time delivery
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on cycle time reduction, labor optimization, and workflow efficiency
• Develop and maintain standard work, production metrics, and visual management tools
• Optimize plant layout, material flow, and work sequencing to reduce waste and non‑value‑added activity
• Partner with leadership on capacity planning, equipment utilization, and future growth needs
• Support capital planning and equipment justification tied to production efficiency and scalability
• Lead, coach, and develop production supervisors and hourly manufacturing staff
• Set clear expectations for safety, quality, productivity, and accountability
• Support hiring, onboarding, training, and performance management
• Foster a culture of ownership, teamwork, and continuous improvement

Quality & Safety

• Maintain high standards of workmanship and product consistency
• Partner with Quality and Engineering to address defects, rework, and root‑cause issues
• Enforce safety policies and safe work practices across all production areas

Cross‑Functional Coordination

• Work closely with Customer Response and Sales to align production priorities with customer commitments
• Coordinate with Purchasing and Supply Chain to ensure material readiness
• Provide manufacturability feedback to Engineering and Product Development
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as identified or assigned to support business needs

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• 5+ years of manufacturing or production leadership experience
• Proven ability to lead hourly teams in a fast‑paced production environment
• Strong understanding of production scheduling, labor planning, and workflow optimization
• Hands‑on leadership style with strong shop‑floor engagement
• Solid problem‑solving and root‑cause analysis skills

Preferred

• Experience in metal fabrication, aluminum extrusions, or sign manufacturing
• Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience
• ERP or production tracking system experience

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Manufacturing floor environment
• Standing, walking, and lifting up to 50lbs required

DISCLAIMER

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.