Production Manager

Kooks Custom Headers, Inc.; Statesville (NC); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonus

Health benefits

Paid vacation and holidays

Retirement plan

Long-term growth opportunities

Job summary

Kooks Custom Headers, Inc. is seeking a Production Manager to lead daily manufacturing operations, driving quality, safety, and efficiency on the shop floor.

You will manage department leaders across welding, tube laser, bending, fabrication, prep, shipping, receiving, and maintenance, while partnering with Ops, Eng, Sales, and Purchasing to hit production goals. The successful candidate will have strong leadership, excellent communication, and a track record of Lean continuous improvement in

Qualifications

• 7+ years leading manufacturing operations.
• Experience managing supervisors and production teams.
• Background in metal fabrication, welding, automotive, or similar manufacturing.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• Ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
• Passion for developing people and building winning teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead all daily manufacturing operations with a culture of quality, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee department leaders responsible for Welding, Tube Laser, Tube Bending, Fabrication, Prep, Shipping, Receiving, Maintenance.
• Collaborate with Technical Operations Manager, Engineering, Sales, and Purchasing to meet production goals.

Skills

Manufacturing leadership

Team leadership

Communication

Lean Manufacturing

Continuous Improvement

Decision making

People development

Job description

Description

This Is Not Just Another Production Manager Position

We are an established, growing American manufacturer of premium performance automotive exhaust systems and headers. Our products are trusted by enthusiasts, racers, and industry professionals across the country because we refuse to compromise on quality.

We’re looking for an exceptional Production Manager who wants to build something special—not someone who’s simply looking for their next job.

If you thrive on accountability, enjoy leading people, solving problems, improving processes, and being on the shop floor every day, we’d like to talk with you.

Your Mission

You will be responsible for leading all daily manufacturing operations while building a culture focused on quality, teamwork, efficiency, safety, and continuous improvement.

You will oversee department leaders responsible for:

• Welding
• Tube Laser
• Tube Bending
• Fabrication
• Prep
• Shipping
• Receiving
• Maintenance

You will work closely with our Technical Operations Manager, Engineering, Sales, and Purchasing to ensure production goals are consistently achieved.

What Success Looks Like

• Production schedules are consistently met.
• On-time delivery exceeds customer expectations.
• Quality continues to improve.
• Employees are engaged, coached, and held accountable.
• Waste, downtime, and rework are reduced.
• The shop operates safely, efficiently, and professionally.
• Department leaders become stronger under your leadership.

Requirements

The ideal candidate has:

• 7+ years leading manufacturing operations.
• Experience managing supervisors and production teams.
• A background in metal fabrication, welding, automotive, aerospace, or similar manufacturing.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• The ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
• A passion for developing people and building winning teams.

Compensation:

• Competitive salary: based on experience
• Performance bonus
• Health benefits
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Retirement plan
• Long-term growth opportunity

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to join a financially stable, growing manufacturer with a strong reputation and loyal customer base. You’ll have the autonomy to lead, improve operations, develop people, and make a lasting impact on the future of the company. If you’re looking for a place where your leadership will matter every day—and where excellence is expected,we’d like to hear from you.