Production Manager

Dakotaland Manufacturing; Watertown (SD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Dakotaland Manufacturing in Watertown, SD, seeks a hands‑on Production Manager to lead machining, fabrication, assembly, and logistics. You will translate demand into clear production plans, remove obstacles, and strengthen frontline leadership to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

You will coach supervisors, drive Lean initiatives, ensure ISO 9001 compliance, and partner with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Maintenance to sustain peak performance.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of manufacturing experience.
• Two or more years in a supervisory or management role.
• Strong knowledge of machining and fabrication.
• Experience with ISO 9001, root‑cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Proven success leading Lean or Kaizen initiatives.
• Proficiency with ERP or MRP systems and production scheduling.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily production across machining, fabrication, assembly, and logistics.
• Build and manage schedules that meet customer commitments and inventory goals.
• Monitor throughput, work‑in‑process, downtime, staffing, and bottlenecks.
• Drive ISO 9001 compliance, root‑cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Lead Lean initiatives, including Kaizen, 5S, SMED, and value‑stream mapping.
• Improve OEE, setup time, scrap, rework, uptime, and on‑time delivery.
• Coach and develop supervisors and shop‑floor teams.
• Strengthen accountability, cross‑training, succession planning, and employee engagement.
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Maintenance, Purchasing, and Program Management.
• Support new product introductions, production changes, and customer updates.
• Oversee preventive maintenance, tooling needs, and equipment reliability.
• Lead daily and weekly performance reviews to resolve issues and maintain focus.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Communication

Lean/Kaizen

ERP/MRP proficiency

Production scheduling

Machining knowledge

ISO 9001 knowledge

Team coaching

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate or bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Business

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Lead the floor. Develop strong teams. Drive measurable results.

Dakotaland Manufacturing is seeking a hands‑on, results‑driven Production Manager to lead machining, fabrication, assembly, and logistics operations.

Reporting to the Plant Manager, you will turn customer demand into clear production plans, remove obstacles, strengthen frontline leadership, and improve performance across safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

What You’ll Own

• Lead daily production across machining, fabrication, assembly, and logistics.
• Build and manage schedules that meet customer commitments and inventory goals.
• Monitor throughput, work‑in‑process, downtime, staffing, and bottlenecks.
• Drive ISO 9001 compliance, root‑cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Lead Lean initiatives, including Kaizen, 5S, SMED, and value‑stream mapping.
• Improve OEE, setup time, scrap, rework, uptime, and on‑time delivery.
• Coach and develop supervisors and shop‑floor teams.
• Strengthen accountability, cross‑training, succession planning, and employee engagement.
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Maintenance, Purchasing, and Program Management.
• Support new product introductions, production changes, and customer updates.
• Oversee preventive maintenance, tooling needs, and equipment reliability.
• Lead daily and weekly performance reviews to resolve issues and maintain focus.

What Success Looks Like

• Safety performance
• On‑time delivery
• Equipment uptime and OEE
• Scrap and rework
• Setup and changeover time
• Material flow and inventory accuracy
• Employee engagement and retention

What You Bring

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Five or more years of manufacturing experience
• Two or more years in a supervisory or management role
• Strong knowledge of machining and fabrication
• Experience with ISO 9001, root‑cause analysis, and corrective actions
• Proven success leading Lean or Kaizen initiatives
• Proficiency with ERP or MRP systems and production scheduling
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills

Preferred

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Business, or a related field
• Experience in aerospace, automotive, medical‑device, or heavy‑equipment manufacturing
• Knowledge of AWS or ASME welding standards
• Familiarity with CNC programming
• Exposure to automation and robotics

The Leader We’re Looking For

You are visible, decisive, and comfortable leading close to the work. You set clear expectations, solve problems quickly, and hold teams accountable without losing sight of development and engagement.

You do more than manage production—you build stronger people, better systems, and sustainable results.

Position Details

• Employment Type: Full-time
• Classification: Exempt
• Reports To: Plant Manager

Join Dakotaland Manufacturing

This is an opportunity to make a direct impact on performance, culture, and customer success.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Dakotaland Manufacturing is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.