Production Manager

Pregis; Sussex (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Pregis is hiring a Production Manager in Sussex, WI to lead our extrusion operations and drive safety, quality, and productivity. This hands-on leadership role shapes culture, develops frontline leaders, and influences the future of our manufacturing operation.

Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will guide a team of supervisors and professionals, emphasizing safety, quality, and engagement while collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet commitments and improve performance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of manufacturing leadership experience in a production, operations, or plant management environment.
• Experience leading supervisors and production teams in fast-paced manufacturing.
• Strong ability to drive safety, quality, and productivity initiatives.
• Proven coaching and team-building skills.
• Analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day extrusion manufacturing operations to meet safety, quality, and production goals.
• Coach and develop shift supervisors and production team members.
• Drive accountability, engagement, collaboration, and respect across the team.
• Partner with HR for staffing, employee relations, and development.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes and improve performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives and Lean data-driven decisions.

Skills

Manufacturing leadership

Coaching teams

Safety focus

Lean manufacturing

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Operations

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

We're Not Just in the Packaging Business–We're in the \"Wow\" Business

Pregis is in the packaging business to protect what matters. We are committed to providing our customers and employees sustainable growth through purpose-driven innovation and customer-centric packaging solutions. If you are looking for a company that is thriving across various high growth industries and is innovative, customer focused, high integrity, believes in strong teamwork and collaboration, Pregis is the company for you. Check out the Pregis Purpose to learn how sustainability and social responsibility is at the very core of our company DNA.

Pregis is Hiring!

Production Manager

Sussex, WI

Lead Operations at a World-Class Manufacturing Facility

Are you a hands-on manufacturing leader who thrives on developing people, driving continuous improvement, and delivering operational excellence?

Pregis is seeking a Production Manager to lead our Extrusion Operations at our state-of-the-art Sussex, Wisconsin facility. This is a high-impact leadership role where you'll have the opportunity to shape culture, improve performance, develop frontline leaders, and influence the future of our manufacturing operation.

Reporting to the Director of Operations, you'll lead a team of supervisors and production professionals while driving safety, quality, productivity, and employee engagement across the extrusion department.

If you're energized by solving complex operational challenges, leading high-performing teams, and creating a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Do

As Production Manager, you'll be responsible for the day-to-day leadership of our extrusion manufacturing operation, ensuring we consistently meet our commitments to safety, quality, customer service, and operational performance.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Coach, mentor, and develop shift supervisors and production team members
• Foster a culture built on accountability, engagement, collaboration, and respect
• Conduct performance evaluations and create development plans for employees
• Partner with Human Resources to support employee relations, staffing, and talent development
• Recognize achievements while addressing performance concerns in a timely and constructive manner

Drive Operational Excellence

• Lead daily production activities to ensure customer demands are met safely and efficiently
• Improve productivity, workflow, equipment utilization, and overall operational performance
• Collaborate closely with Production Control, Supply Chain, Logistics, Converting, and other support functions
• Monitor production schedules, inventory levels, raw materials, and work-in-process inventory to ensure uninterrupted operations

Champion Safety and Quality

• Be a visible leader in creating and sustaining a strong safety-first culture
• Conduct safety audits, inspections, training, and employee engagement activities
• Drive continuous improvement efforts focused on reducing scrap, improving quality, and eliminating waste
• Ensure compliance with operational standards, work procedures, and best practices

Lead Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to streamline processes and improve manufacturing performance
• Champion Lean Manufacturing initiatives and data-driven decision-making
• Implement operational strategies that support business goals, budget objectives, and profitability
• Utilize KPIs and operational data to drive sustainable improvements

What Success Looks Like

In This Role, You Will

• Build highly engaged and accountable teams
• Improve safety performance and strengthen the plant's safety culture
• Reduce scrap and improve product quality
• Increase operational efficiency and productivity
• Develop future leaders within the organization
• Help drive long-term growth and profitability for the facility

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of manufacturing leadership experience in a production, operations, or plant management environment
• Proven success leading supervisors and production teams in a fast-paced manufacturing setting
• Strong experience driving safety, quality, and productivity initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to coach employees and build high-performing teams
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field
• Experience in plastics, extrusion, packaging, film manufacturing, or other process-driven manufacturing environments
• Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or Six Sigma experience
• Experience with SAP and Microsoft Office applications

Why Join Pregis?

• Lead operations in a modern, highly automated manufacturing facility
• Make a direct impact on business results and operational strategy
• Work closely with senior leadership and influence key decisions
• Join a company committed to safety, innovation, sustainability, and employee development
• Opportunity to develop your career with a growing industry leader

Diversity and Inclusion

We believe in diversity of thought and bringing together other traits and characteristics that make an individual bring a unique experience to Pregis. We strive to foster an inclusive environment where behaviors and social norms ensure people are welcome.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement/Inclusion

We offer equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We support inclusion and believe in welcoming a collective sum of individual differences, thoughts, traits, and characteristics to represent Pregis’ culture and achievements.

Visit us at www.pregis.com for more information about Pregis LLC.