Production Manager, Finishing & Special Processes

Goodwin Recruiting; Elk Grove Village (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Goodwin Recruiting is seeking a Production Manager for Finishing & Special Processes to own daily production performance across deburring, assembly, grinding, EDM, brazing, and other finishing operations. You will lead supervisors, develop teams, and ensure safety, quality, and on-time delivery in a precision manufacturing environment.

The role requires a hands-on leader with 7+ years in manufacturing, preferred experience in aerospace/defense, and familiarity with AS9100 or similar standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; technical degree or equivalent preferred.
• 7+ years manufacturing leadership with multiple functions.
• Experience leading supervisors and driving performance across multiple functions.
• Background in precision manufacturing, aerospace/defense preferred.
• Experience with finishing, grinding, EDM, brazing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily production across deburring, assembly, grinding, EDM, brazing.
• Lead, coach, and develop department supervisors with clear safety, quality, productivity expectations.
• Execute production schedules, balance labor resources, monitor throughput and equipment utilization.
• Identify bottlenecks and capacity constraints; implement practical solutions to meet delivery goals.
• Ensure processes follow procedures, specifications, and customer requirements; maintain traceability.
• Collaborate with Process Engineering to resolve technical challenges and improve process capability.

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Cross-functional

Process improvement

GD&T

Production scheduling

ERP/MRP

Quality focus

Education

High school diploma

Technical degree

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

ERP/MRP

Production reporting tools

Job description

Join a growing precision manufacturer as a Production Manager, Finishing & Special Processes and take ownership of daily production performance across multiple specialized manufacturing departments. You will lead supervisors and their teams responsible for deburring, assembly, precision grinding, EDM, brazing, and other finishing operations, ensuring the safe, efficient, and consistent production of high-quality components.

This role is ideal for a hands‑on manufacturing leader with a strong technical or engineering background who enjoys developing supervisors, solving complex production challenges, and improving processes in a precision manufacturing environment. You'll have the opportunity to lead specialized operations supporting demanding aerospace and defense customers while building a foundation for continued leadership growth.

Production Manager, Finishing & Special Processes | What You Will Do

• Oversee daily production operations across deburring, assembly, grinding, EDM, brazing, and other assigned special-process departments
• Lead, coach, and develop department supervisors while establishing clear expectations for safety, quality, productivity, and accountability
• Execute production schedules, balance labor resources, and monitor throughput, work-in-process, equipment utilization, and departmental performance
• Identify production bottlenecks, capacity constraints, and workflow inefficiencies, implementing practical solutions to maintain delivery commitments
• Ensure specialized manufacturing processes follow approved procedures, technical specifications, operator qualifications, and customer requirements
• Partner with Process Engineering to resolve technical challenges, improve process capability, and implement approved manufacturing improvements
• Maintain strong quality standards involving workmanship, traceability, inspection requirements, and controlled manufacturing processes
• Collaborate with Quality to address nonconformances, corrective actions, recurring defects, and customer‑specific requirements
• Drive improvements in labor productivity, operational efficiency, equipment utilization, scrap reduction, and production flow
• Coordinate with Production Control, Supply Chain, Maintenance, Quality, and Manufacturing Engineering to keep production running efficiently
• Develop employee training, cross‑training, workforce flexibility, and succession planning across assigned departments
• Maintain a strong shop‑floor presence, promoting a safe, organized, and accountable manufacturing environment
• Support compliance with AS9100, applicable special-process requirements, and internal quality management systems

Production Manager, Finishing & Special Processes | What You Bring

• High school diploma required; technical degree, associate's degree, bachelor's degree, or equivalent manufacturing leadership experience preferred
• 7+ years of manufacturing, production operations, supervision, or related experience with progressively increasing responsibility
• Demonstrated experience leading production supervisors and driving performance across multiple manufacturing functions
• Background in precision manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or similarly demanding manufacturing environments strongly preferred
• Experience overseeing finishing, assembly, precision grinding, EDM, brazing, heat treatment, or comparable specialized manufacturing processes preferred
• Strong understanding of production scheduling, labor utilization, manufacturing workflow, equipment efficiency, and operational performance
• Ability to interpret manufacturing documentation, technical specifications, and established process requirements
• Understanding of engineering drawings, GD&T, and manufacturing inspection requirements preferred
• Familiarity with AS9100, controlled manufacturing processes, and aerospace quality requirements preferred
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems and production reporting tools preferred
• Strong leadership, communication, problem‑solving, and cross‑functional coordination skills
• Ability to maintain a visible, hands‑on leadership presence in an active manufacturing environment

Production Manager, Finishing & Special Processes | Compensation and Opportunity

• Target base salary: $120,000–$150,000, depending on qualifications and experience
• Target annual performance bonus: 10%
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Opportunity to lead multiple specialized manufacturing departments
• Direct exposure to operations leadership and technically complex manufacturing processes
• Meaningful responsibility for improving productivity, quality, and workforce performance
• Opportunity to develop supervisors and build a high‑performing production organization
• Potential advancement into broader manufacturing and operations leadership roles
• Relocation may be considered for qualified candidates

JOB ID: 183616#post

Kalyn Schreckhise