Production Manager (1156859)

The Judge Group; Springfield (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Health, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

The Judge Group seeks a Production Manager in Springfield, IL with deep experience in plastics extrusion or blow molding to lead daily manufacturing operations.

You will drive continuous improvement, reduce scrap, maximize uptime, and foster a safety-first culture across shifts. The role requires hands-on leadership, process optimization, and cross-functional collaboration for operational excellence.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of plastics manufacturing leadership in extrusion or blow molding.
• Experience leading change management and improving plant culture.
• Hands-on Lean, 5S, TPM, RCA experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Business Operations.
• Strong resin/process understanding, tooling, cycle times.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily production on extrusion and/or blow molding lines to hit output, profitability, on-time delivery, and quality.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, 5S, Kaizen, Six Sigma) to modernize processes and reduce waste.
• Mentor shift supervisors, technicians, and operators; set KPIs and drive accountability.
• Optimize plastics processing parameters and troubleshoot issues.
• Enforce safety and quality systems (OSHA, ISO, SQF, GMP) for a compliant environment.
• Partner with Maintenance, Quality, and Supply Chain to minimize downtime and manage scrap.

Skills

Leadership

Change management

Continuous improvement

Team development

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

IQMS

SAP

Job description

Location: Springfield, IL

Salary: $100,000.00 USD Annually - $150,000.00 USD Annually

Description

Industry leading manufacturer in the Springfield, IL area is seeking a high-impact Production Manager with deep technical expertise in plastics extrusion or blow molding to lead their daily manufacturing operations. The ideal candidate combines hands-on processing knowledge with transformative leadership to drive cultural change, build high-performing teams, and execute continuous improvement initiatives. You will be responsible for driving operational excellence, reducing scrap, maximizing uptime, and building an accountable, safety-first workplace culture.

Responsibilities

• Operations Leadership: Oversee daily production on extrusion and/or blow molding lines to hit target output, profitability, on-time delivery, and quality standards.
• Drive Organizational Change: Champion continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, 5S, Kaizen, Six Sigma) to modernize processes, eliminate waste, and transform plant culture.
• Team Development & Coaching: Lead, mentor, and empower shift supervisors, technicians, and operators; set performance KPIs, resolve conflicts, and drive accountability across all shifts.
• Technical Process Optimization: Act as the subject matter expert in plastics processing (resin behavior, tooling, cycle times, wall thickness) to optimize parameters and troubleshoot complex issues.
• Safety & Compliance: Enforce strict adherence to safety (OSHA, EHS) regulations and quality management systems (ISO, SQF, or GMP) to ensure a safe, compliant work environment.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Maintenance, Quality, and Supply Chain to minimize unplanned downtime, implement preventive maintenance, and manage scrap rates.

Qualifications

• Experience: 5+ years of leadership/management experience in a plastics manufacturing facility, specifically with profile/sheet extrusion or extrusion/injection blow molding.
• Change Leadership: Proven track record of leading change management, improving employee engagement, and transforming plant culture.
• Continuous Improvement: Demonstrated hands‑on experience applying Lean Manufacturing, 5S, TPM, and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) methodologies.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Plastics, Mechanical, Industrial) or Business Operations, or an equivalent combination of technical training and hands‑on manufacturing leadership.
• Technical & Business Acumen: Strong understanding of resin characteristics, machinery troubleshooting, labor management, operational budgeting, and ERP/MES software (e.g., IQMS, SAP).

Benefits

• Compensation: Competitive base salary with an annual performance-based bonus incentive.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage starting on day one.
• Financial Security: 401(k) retirement plan with generous company matching, plus life and disability insurance.
• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO policy, paid sick leave, and company-paid holidays.
• Growth & Development: Tuition reimbursement programs, continuous technical training, and clear pathways for executive leadership advancement.