Production Manager (Paper Packaging Manufacturing)

HTI; Spartanburg (SC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation allowance

Job summary

HTI is seeking an experienced Production Manager for a startup facility in Spartanburg, SC. Lead production activities, manage a team of approximately 35+ hourly workers, and drive safety, quality, and efficiency.

Responsibilities include overseeing maintenance, coordinating with engineering and quality teams, and managing CAPEX and budgets. Relocation allowance is available and salary ranges from $110,000 to $125,000 per year plus a potential $10,000 bonus.

Qualifications

• Must have 5+ years of experience as Production Manager or Supervisor with 50+ hourly employees on multiple shifts.
• Must have 3+ years in paper/paperboard packaging, paper converting, or corrugated packaging manufacturing.
• Experience with startup plants, line installations, or plant expansions is preferred.
• ISO 9001 and/or 14001 experience; GMP exposure with FDA-regulated packaging products.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of 35+ hourly production employees to start, with growth planned over 1–2 years.
• Drive continuous improvement, maintenance, and resource optimization.
• Develop and implement production processes and standards to improve efficiency.
• Monitor KPIs and drive initiatives for Manufacturing Excellence.
• Coordinate with Quality and Safety to ensure packaging safety and specs are met.
• Oversee CAPEX budgets for machinery installations and contractor management.
• Promote a safety-first culture and ensure ISO, GMP, and food safety compliance.

Skills

Leadership

KPIs

CAPEX

Project planning

ERP systems

MS Office

Safety culture

Communication

Education

Bachelor/Associate/Technical degree

Tools

ERP systems

MS Office

Job description

HTI is assisting a global paper packaging manufacturer with their search for an experienced Production Manager for their start-up facility in Spartanburg, SC! The company offers opportunities for growth, and a positive, collaborative work culture. This facility manufactures paper to-go bags for the restaurant industry.

** Please note, candidates must have production management experience in a paper packaging, paper converting or corrugated packaging manufacturing facility.**

• Base Salary: $110,000 - $125,000 / year, depending on experience (plus up to $10,000/year bonus)
• Location: Spartanburg, SC
• Relocation allowance is available
• This is a direct hire, salaried, full-time position

Summary

Lead plant production activities and team members to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality operation. Responsible for controlling manufacturing activities within budgeted costs, safety, productivity, quality and product safety standards. Oversee machinery installations and projects, managing external vendors/engineers and project budgets. Will have oversight of the plant Maintenance Supervisor, helping to ensure that day-to-day maintenance team activities are carried out in an efficient and effective manner.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have at least 5+ years of recent experience as a Production Manager or Production Supervisor with oversight of at least 50+ hourly employees on multiple shifts. Must have at least 8 years of total manufacturing production experience.
• Must have 3+ years of experience in paper/paperboard packaging, paper converting, or corrugated packaging manufacturing
• Previous experience with a startup plant, installation/launch of new production lines, or plant expansion projects, preferably as a Production Manager or Supervisor
• ISO 9001 and/or 14001 experience
• Experience in a GMP environment providing packaging products to FDA-regulated industries strongly preferred
• Food safety/SQF, BRC, AIB and/or HACCP experience
• Safety First mindset
• Strong leadership, communication, and employee training/development abilities
• Strong technology and computer skills, including MS Office and ERP systems
• Experience in project planning and management (CAPEX/machinery installations), project budget management
• KPI monitoring/reporting
• Experience implementing continuous improvement strategies
• Experience coordinating with maintenance leadership on preventative/predictive maintenance programs and scheduling/planning

Preferred Skills/Experience:

• Bachelor’s, Associate’s, or Technical degree
• Mechanical/electrical aptitude
• Lean Six Sigma, TPM, and/or reliability engineering

JOB DUTIES:

• This role will manage all Production employees/functions and the Maintenance Supervisor, with overall management responsibility for a team of approximately 35+ hourly production employees to start with. The plant will add additional lines within the next 1-2 years, with the potential to double the size of the production team.
• Working closely with the Plant Manager, Engineering, Quality, Logistics and Safety teams, this role will drive continuous improvement, preventative maintenance, and resource optimization.
• Develop and implement production processes and standards to optimize efficiency.
• Monitor production data/KPIs and drive continuous improvement initiatives, including Manufacturing Excellence.
• Coordinate with the Quality Manager to ensure product released to customers meets specifications and food packaging safety requirements.
• Support labor planning in order to meet production schedules.
• Support and lead the Maintenance Supervisor, working with them to ensure the effective management of the maintenance program and the efficient scheduling of all maintenance work.
• Work with the Maintenance Supervisor to analyze data, identify the root cause of breakdowns, and implement corrective actions and reliability improvements.
• Coordinate subcontractors and external resources to meet maintenance and installation needs beyond internal capabilities.
• Promote and lead a safety-first culture, ensuring compliance with Health and Safety, ISO 9001:2015, GMP, and food packaging safety standards.
• Coordinate with the Safety Manager to manage safety performance, risk mitigation, and emergency response.
• Oversee training programs in collaboration with the Plant Manager and HR to ensure all personnel are competent in safety, quality, and operational standards.
• Work with the Quality Manager to investigate product non-conformances and customer complaints, ensuring timely resolution and reporting.
• Manage CAPEX project/machinery installation budgets and costs for contractors, operations and staffing.
• Monitor and control labor utilization, consumables, and waste to meet budget targets.
• Build engagement, strong team spirit, and an environment that supports continuous improvement.