Production Manager

Guided Search Partners; United States; On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Guided Search Partners is seeking a Production Manager for a manufacturing operation in Indiana. The ideal candidate will lead day-to-day production across safety and quality, oversee approximately 110 employees through five Shift Supervisors, and drive continuous improvement while managing operational execution.

This role requires a strong manufacturing leader with 7–10 years of relevant experience and a 4-year degree preferred. Familiarity with SPC and lean principles is essential, alongside strong communication skills. The position involves up to 10% travel.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7–10 years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading in a production setting focused on safety, quality, and productivity.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills required.

Responsibilities

• Lead production personnel and oversee daily execution focusing on safety and quality.
• Integrate engineering projects and respond to production issues.
• Monitor production reports and support budget preparation.

Skills

Leadership in manufacturing

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Understanding of SPC principles

Lean manufacturing

Team management

Excel and MS Office proficiency

Education

4-year degree in Operations Management, Business Management, or Engineering

Tools

MS Project

BPCS or AS400 manufacturing software

Job description

Guided Search Partners (GSP)

Guided Search Partners is an Executive Search firm built on Trust, Transparency, Specialization, and Long-term Relationships.

We connect high-performing professionals with organizations that value people, performance, and growth—helping leaders find roles where they can make an impact and build meaningful careers.

About the Opportunity

We’re partnering with a manufacturing operation in Indiana seeking a Production Manager to lead day-to-day production performance across safety, quality, productivity, and waste reduction. This is a high-impact operations role for a leader who can manage through shift supervision, stay close to the plant floor, and help keep production moving in a safe and efficient way. The position reports to the Plant Manager and carries broad responsibility across the Production Department and Die Crew. It is a strong fit for someone who enjoys balancing people leadership, operational execution, and continuous improvement while working across functions to meet customer requirements and support plant performance.

What You’ll Do

Lead production personnel directly and through five Shift Supervisors, with responsibility for approximately 110 hourly employees. You’ll oversee daily execution with a focus on safety, quality, productivity, waste reduction, staffing, training, and employee development. This role works closely with quality, planning, warehouse, engineering, and maintenance to support customer requirements, projects, and smooth material and product flow. You’ll help integrate engineering projects into normal operations, revise schedules and priorities as needed, and respond to issues involving raw materials, equipment, demand, personnel, or other unforeseen events. You’ll also monitor production reports to track financial, safety, quality, and on‑time delivery goals, while helping drive cost and lead‑time reduction efforts. Budget support is part of the role, including working with the Controller on operating budgets. Continuous improvement is another key area, from implementing CI programs and projects to identifying opportunities for site and technology improvements.

Who You Are

You are a hands‑on manufacturing leader who knows how to manage performance through people, process, and follow‑through. You can lead in a fast‑moving environment, stay organized across multiple priorities, and communicate effectively with employees and leaders at all levels of the organization. You are also someone who brings structure, flexibility, and a problem‑solving mindset to the floor. You know how to coach teams, hold standards, and work across departments to keep operations aligned. This role is a strong fit for a detail‑oriented leader who is comfortable being a change agent while supporting day‑to‑day production needs.

Preferred Experience & Attributes

• 4‑year degree preferred, ideally in Operations Management, Business Management, or Engineering
• 7–10 years of experience in a manufacturing environment
• Understanding of SPC and lean manufacturing principles
• Team problem‑solving and facilitation skills
• Experience leading in a production setting with responsibility for safety, quality, and productivity
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Proficiency in Excel and MS Office
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects at the same time
• Discrete manufacturing experience preferred, including paper, paperboard, or molded‑fiber food packaging
• MS Project or other project management software is a plus
• BPCS or AS400 manufacturing software knowledge is desirable
• Up to 10% travel required

Why This Role Matters

This role is central to plant performance. The Production Manager helps ensure the operation meets critical goals around safety, quality, delivery, cost, and efficiency while supporting the people and processes behind daily output. It is also a visible leadership opportunity with broad reach across the plant. From leading supervisors and hourly teams to partnering with engineering, maintenance, planning, and quality, this position plays a direct role in how the facility performs today and how it improves over time.