Production Manager – Kalamazoo Area

The Pivot Group Careers; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 86,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

The Pivot Group Network in Kalamazoo, MI partners with local manufacturers to place seasoned Production Managers who can lead teams, plan daily output, and drive continuous improvement. This role emphasizes safety, on-time delivery, and strong collaboration with plant leaders.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in manufacturing with supervisory experience, plus lean manufacturing knowledge and ERP/MES proficiency.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in manufacturing with 2+ years in supervision.
• Lean manufacturing and CI tools familiarity.
• Experience with production scheduling, quality systems, safety programs.
• Strong leadership, problem solving, and communication skills.
• Comfort with production data, spreadsheets, and ERP or MES systems.

Responsibilities

• Report production status and improvement plans to plant leadership.
• Plan and schedule daily production to meet output targets and deadlines.
• Supervise shift leads and production staff; assign work and resolve line issues.
• Monitor quality checks and address defects or process problems.
• Track metrics like throughput, scrap, downtime, and on-time delivery.
• Coordinate maintenance, materials, and staffing to keep lines running.
• Enforce safety rules and lead investigations and corrective actions.
• Train and develop team members and support performance reviews.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

ERP systems

MES systems

Production scheduling

Leadership

Data analysis

Minitab

Excel

Quality control

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/operations

Equivalent experience

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Job description

Job Description:

Production Manager | Kalamazoo, MI

Salary Range: $86,000 – $126,000 depending on experience

Are you a dedicated professional with a passion for leading production teams and meeting manufacturing goals? The Pivot Group Network, a Michigan manufacturing-focused recruiting group, is committed to fostering meaningful relationships and supporting career growth. We partner with leading manufacturing companies in the Kalamazoo area seeking experienced Production Managers to strengthen their teams.

We are building our network of talent in this field across Michigan’s manufacturing regions. Our partner companies may or may not have an immediate opening for this exact role today, but we actively look for skilled professionals in the regions where they operate. If there is alignment now or in the near future, we reach out.

This posting covers Production Manager opportunities with manufacturers based in and around Kalamazoo in Kalamazoo County, within about 30 minutes of the city, including Galesburg, Comstock, Oshtemo, and Parchment.

The Opportunity

We partner with organizations in the Kalamazoo area that seek Production Managers. These companies are committed to building strong teams and look for professionals who can lead initiatives effectively. By connecting with The Pivot Group Network, you position yourself for roles that match your background and aspirations.

Usual Responsibilities

• Report production status and improvement plans to plant leadership.
• Plan and schedule daily production to meet output targets and customer deadlines.
• Supervise shift leads and production staff, assign work, and resolve line issues.
• Monitor quality checks and address defects or process problems as they arise.
• Track key metrics such as throughput, scrap, downtime, and on‑time delivery.
• Coordinate maintenance, materials, and staffing to keep lines running.
• Enforce safety rules and lead incident investigations and corrective actions.
• Train and develop team members and support performance reviews.

Recommended Qualifications

• Five or more years in manufacturing with at least two in a supervisory role.
• Working knowledge of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement tools.
• Experience with production scheduling, quality systems, and safety programs.
• Strong leadership, problem solving, and communication skills.
• Comfort with production data, spreadsheets, and ERP or MES systems.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience in a regulated or high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 or similar quality standards.
• Prior responsibility for budget or cost reduction projects.
• Bilingual communication skills for a diverse workforce.
• Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt certification.

Job Titles That Should Apply

Manufacturing Supervisor, Shift Manager, Production Superintendent, Value Stream Manager, Assembly Manager, Manufacturing Manager, Plant Manager, Operations Manager, Production Supervisor

Work Authorization

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future visa sponsorship. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Why The Pivot Group Network

The Pivot Group Network was founded by manufacturing professionals who’ve been on both sides of the hiring process. Our clients are strategic – they partner with us because they want real insight into their roles and the people filling them, not a stack of resumes. We focus on match-driven placements built around what actually matters: Commute, Compensation, Culture, and Career trajectory. Learn more at https://www.thepivotgroup.org.

Required Skills:

Minitab Resume Safety Regulations Data Offers Output Lean Six Sigma Supply Chain Cost Reduction Support Lean Manufacturing Management Skills Six Sigma Operations Analysis ERP Compliance Salary Hiring Partnerships Recruiting Spanish Process Improvement Compensation Supply Continuous Improvement SAP Quality Control Manufacturing Team Management Excel Regulations Oracle Administration Preparation Data Analysis Engineering Business Training Leadership Management

Salary Package:

$ 86,000.00 – 126,000.00 (US Dollar)