Production Manager

Confidential Jobs; Waterloo (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Jobs in Waterloo, IA is seeking a Production Manager to lead and oversee operations, safety, quality, and productivity in a fast-paced industrial environment. You will drive staffing, training, and performance, while partnering with HR and site leadership to achieve targets.

The role requires hands-on leadership, strong communication, and a focus on safety, quality, and customer service. This position reports to Operations Leadership and entails shift oversight on the 2nd shift.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing, production, warehousing, logistics, or distribution.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; additional education preferred.
• Experience leading a team in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Knowledge of safety practices and regulations; able to analyze productivity data.

Responsibilities

• Monitor safety performance and implement improvement strategies.
• Track operational and performance metrics.
• Lead safety investigations and corrective actions.
• Enforce safety policies and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain clean, organized, efficient work areas.
• Ensure areas meet quality, productivity, and service standards.
• Assist with hiring, training, and performance management with HR.
• Maintain attendance and timekeeping records.
• Coach and develop employees and manage staffing.
• Adjust staffing and workflows to changing demands.
• Monitor labor utilization and overtime.
• Promote positive employee relations and morale.
• Operate material-handling equipment as trained.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Communication

Organizational skills

Time management

Problem solving

Safety awareness

Team motivation

Decision making

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Additional education preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Timekeeping systems

Inventory systems

Job description

The Production Manager will provide leadership and operational oversight for one or more designated areas within a fast-paced industrial environment. This role involves supporting safety, employee performance, staffing, effective management of personnel, customer service, and overall operational efficiency.

The successful candidate will be a hands-on leader capable of effectively managing teams, monitoring performance, addressing operational challenges, and maintaining a strong emphasis on safety, quality, and productivity.

Location: Waterloo – Cedar Falls Area

Shift: 2nd Shift

Reports To: Operations Leadership

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Monitor and communicate the department's safety performance and support strategies for improvement.
• Track and report key operational and performance metrics.
• Conduct or participate in safety investigations, meetings, and corrective improvement strategies.
• Enforce established safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient work environment.
• Ensure assigned areas consistently meet established quality, productivity, and service expectations.
• Address operational concerns and work collaboratively with others to resolve issues.
• Monitor department costs, waste, productivity, and other operational expenses.
• Assist with hiring, training, performance management, and other employee-related activities in partnership with Human Resources and site leadership.
• Maintain accurate employee attendance and timekeeping records.
• Communicate and consistently enforce company policies and procedures.
• Provide coaching, feedback, and development to improve employee performance.
• Lead and direct employees to meet daily operational requirements.
• Adjust staffing, workflows, and processes as needed to meet changing business demands.
• Monitor staffing levels, labor utilization, and overtime within assigned areas.
• Promote positive employee relations, teamwork, engagement, and accountability.
• Maintain a strong focus on employee morale, quality, safety, and productivity.
• Operate material-handling equipment as needed and when properly trained.
• Support continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.

Core Competencies

• Strong leadership and people-management skills
• Effective verbal and written communication
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities
• Adaptability in a changing work environment
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to analyze and communicate operational data
• Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Ability to develop and maintain positive employee relationships
• Ability to motivate and hold team members accountable

Physical Demands

The physical demands described are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.

The position requires regular communication, listening, standing, walking, and use of hands for handling materials and equipment. The employee may occasionally be required to lift or move items weighing up to approximately 50 pounds. Proper assistance or material-handling equipment should be used when handling heavier items.

The position may require the ability to perform tasks involving close, distance, peripheral, and depth vision.

This position operates primarily in an industrial work environment that may include production areas, warehouses, equipment, machinery, and material-handling activities.

Working conditions may vary based on the assigned area and may include exposure to varying temperatures, noise, and other typical industrial conditions.

Employees are required to follow all applicable safety procedures and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.

Work responsibilities may be divided between administrative areas and operational work areas.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent is required; additional education is preferred.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in manufacturing, production, warehousing, logistics, distribution, or a related field is required.
• Working knowledge of workplace safety practices and relevant regulations.
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience over a team is required.
• Experience using operational, inventory, workforce management, or timekeeping systems is required.
• Ability to understand and analyze productivity, labor, quality, and operational data.
• Must have experience in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and general computer applications.
• Familiarity with quality systems and continuous improvement practices is preferred.