Production Manager - 3DP

Protolabs; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401k with company match

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Paid time off

Wellness programs

Job summary

Protolabs in Raleigh, NC is seeking a Production Manager for our 3DP service line to oversee additive manufacturing operations and drive on-time delivery, quality and cost performance. You will lead staffing, capacity planning, scheduling, inventory and continuous improvement initiatives, coach supervisors, and collaborate with finance to improve forecasting and operational tools.

On-site role with competitive salary and total rewards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or engineering, or equivalent.
• At least 4 years supervisory experience in manufacturing.
• At least 8 years in manufacturing/operations roles.
• Significant people management experience.
• Experience with Kaizen and Lean manufacturing.
• Experience in Continuous Improvement environments.
• Prior 50+ person team management.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing operations including staffing, capacity planning, scheduling, inventory, safety, quality and cost management.
• Direct, coach and develop supervisors and high-potential employees.
• Assess capacity needs and implement staffing strategies.
• Manage labor efficiency and backlog to meet delivery and financial goals.
• Develop manufacturing processes, safety programs and training.
• Oversee budgeting, inventory control and cost accounting.
• Collaborate with finance to improve forecasting and operational tools.
• Support deployment of technology solutions to improve operations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and capital investments when needed.
• Communicate updates and priorities to supervisors and stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Kaizen & Lean

Continuous improvement

Team leadership

Additive manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or an engineering discipline, or equivalent

Job description

Join our team as a Production Manager (3DP)

Be yourself at Protolabs

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. We are an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a diverse team that feels they are valued in the workplace. So do you feel you do not meet every single requirement but still intrigued? You can help make our company even better. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, mental or physical ability, or any way you represent yourself. We strongly believe diversity makes for more successful teams.

We are the leaders in digital manufacturing. We hire doers, makers, and creative thinkers who tackle our roles with an entrepreneurial spirit. Our culture is centered around meaningful work that brings new and innovative products to market at unprecedented speeds. We are a diverse team that comes from all walks of life and take pride in our team who is smart, genuine, humble, and passionate about what we do. It’s our people who fuel our creativity and make our culture feel like home.

ONSITE role based on Raleigh, NC.

The Production Manager for the 3DP service line plans, directs, and coordinates additive manufacturing operations across a designated technology group to achieve Protolabs’ operating objectives. Owning the end-to-end value stream, this role ensures effective pre-build execution— including scheduling and analysis, build preparation, and schedule adherence— and leads all post-build activities— including build processing, final finishing, secondary operations, and inspection. The manager drives on-time delivery, quality, safety, and cost performance while overseeing supporting processes such as material management and non-production equipment to ensure successful completion of customer orders.

• Lead manufacturing operations, including staffing, capacity planning, scheduling, inventory, purchasing, safety, quality, maintenance, and cost management.
• Direct, coach, and develop supervisors and high-potential employees to build a strong, engaged workforce.
• Assess capacity needs and implement staffing strategies to attract, retain, and optimize talent.
• Manage labor efficiency, resource allocation, workload, and backlog to meet delivery and financial goals.
• Develop and implement manufacturing processes, quality standards, safety programs, and training initiatives that support operational excellence.
• Oversee budgeting, planning, inventory control, and cost accounting activities within assigned areas.
• Partner with finance and other functions to improve forecasting, planning, and operational performance tools.
• Support the deployment and enhancement of technology solutions that improve manufacturing operations and customer value.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including Proto Excellence, process optimization, quality, cost, and delivery performance.
• Recommend capital investments to support operational growth and efficiency.
• Communicate key operational updates and priorities to supervisors and stakeholders.

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or an engineering discipline, or equivilant
• At least 4 years supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment, leading a large team
• At least 8 years’ experience in manufacturing/operations roles
• Significant people management experience
• Able to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented work environment
• Prior experience with 3D Printing or Additive Manufacturing preferred
• Prior experience managing a team of 50+
• Experience with Kaizen and Lean Manufacturing techniques
• Experience working in a Continuous Improvement environment

Proto Labs maintains ITAR-compliant operations in all of our United States based facilities. Due to ITAR regulations, this role is only open to U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders) or foreign nationals granted refugee or asylee status. Individuals with temporary visas (e.g. E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, TN or OPT) are not eligible for hire in this role.

Proto Labs, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

• We offer a competitive salary and total rewards package
• We offer amazing benefits including but not limited to:
• Health Insurance: Traditional OR High Deductible plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account (including employer contributions)
• Dental and Vision
• Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Paid caregiver leave
• You will receive at least 3 weeks of PTO + Wellness + Holiday Pay + Volunteer Hours
• 401k with company match and immediate vest
• Employee Stock Purchase Program at a discounted rate
• Matching grants through Protolabs foundation
• And More!

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use a computer keyboard, monitor and mouse, telephone and printer; reach with hands, and arms, talk, see and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop or kneel and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Indoors (A/C); nonsmoking; the majority of this job function is performed in an office setting requiring normal safety precautions. However, there may be job duties that require the employee to spend time in the manufacturing areas exposed to machinery and noise; eye protection occasionally required. Occasionally works in outside weather conditions. Occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.