Production Manager - Thermal Spray

Kymera International; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

11 company-paid holidays and PTO

Healthcare savings accounts (FSA/HSA)

401(k) with company match

Company-paid short-term disability & 1

Competitive pay and team support

Job summary

Kymera International seeks a Production Manager to direct all manufacturing operations at the Houston facility, ensuring quality, on-time, and cost-effective output. The role leads multiple shifts, translating customer requirements into repeatable processes and driving a culture aligned with Kymera’s core values.

Responsibilities include safety leadership, process optimization, and staff development across production. Travel up to <25% may be required as needed in a growing company.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent engineering/machining experience is required.
• Minimum 10 years in a machine shop or thermal spray environment.
• Minimum 5 years in a leadership role in production or operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead production teams to achieve quality, safety, throughput, and customer satisfaction goals.
• Oversee production planning and resource allocation to meet demand.
• Drive continuous improvement using root-cause analysis and new technologies.
• Ensure safety, 5S, ISO 9001 and AS9100 compliance with QA coordination.
• Manage staffing for after-hours and urgent work as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Lean Six Sigma

GD&T

MS Office

Safety compliance

Travel readiness

Team development

Education

Associate degree in Machining, Engineering, or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Job description

Production Manager

Reports to: Operations Manager

Work Location: Kymera CASL Houston (Spring)

FLSA Status: Salaried Exempt

Position Summary
Job Overview:

The Production Manager is responsible for directing all manufacturing operations at the facility, ensuring that production teams deliver high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. This position leads and develops multiple shifts within the Coatings and/or Machining industries, translates customer requirements into repeatable processes, and champions a culture aligned with Kymera’s core values. The Production Manager is accountable for all aspects of safety, quality, productivity, customer satisfaction, and employee development across production.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Leadership and Team Management

• Lead production teams in achieving quality, safety, throughput, and customer satisfaction goals.

• Develop performance metrics, evaluate team performance, and implement corrective actions as needed.

• Ensure comprehensive training and development programs for all production staff; lead career development planning for Team Leaders and production employees.

• Establish and evaluate personal performance standards for all team members.

• Foster a team culture aligned with Kymera’s core values and drive employee engagement.

• Production Execution

• Oversee production planning to ensure resource allocation meets both short- and long-term demand.

• Monitor production metrics (e.g., turnaround time, throughput, productivity, cycle time, safety) and implement data-driven recommendations for improvement.

• Lead continuous improvement efforts, including root cause analysis, process optimization, and adoption of new technologies or methods.

• Review and address warranty reports, corrective action reports (CARs), and non-conformance reports (NCRs); lead implementation of sustainable solutions.

• Manage staffing for after-hours and urgent work, ensuring customer needs are met at all times.

• Quality, Health & Safety Compliance

• Ensure adherence to safety policies and regulatory documentation in the event of an accident; oversee return-to-work plans and modified duty offerings.

• Maintain strict 5S standards and clean, organized work environments.

• Ensure preventative maintenance programs are assigned and followed according to schedule.

• Maintain ISO 9001 and AS9100 compliance; document and communicate process changes in coordination with the QA team.

• Flexibility and Adaptability to Change

• Perform other related duties as assigned. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all required tasks. Responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervise shop employees.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Machining, Engineering, OR equivalent experience required.

• Minimum 10 years in a Machine Shop or Thermal Spray environment.

• Minimum 5 years in a leadership role in production, operations, or customer service.

• Ability to access government-controlled customer facilities.

• Ability to obtain required DBIDS credentials and other customer/site-specific credentials.

• Ability to obtain necessary security clearances when required.

• Must qualify as a "U.S. Person" under applicable International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) contractual requirements.

• Valid U.S. Passport.

• Valid Driver's License.

• Ability to pass required pre-employment screenings, including criminal background checks.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong customer focus and mechanical problem-solving skills.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

• Ability to interpret engineering part/assembly drawings and GD&T.

• Effective time management, organizational skills, and task prioritization.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Ability to work in a hands-on production environment and adjust hours or travel based on operational needs.

• Competency in continuous improvement tools (Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, 5S, etc.).

• Ability to read and interpret variance analysis reports for corrective actions.

• Effective decision-making and team-building abilities.

• Experience with EH&S initiatives and robotic automation processes.

• Enthusiastic and solutions-oriented approach to team and customer challenges.

• Must be adaptable to the dynamic nature of a small but growing company and work across multiple functional areas as needed.

Physical Requirements

• Physical Requirements: Must be able to work in a production environment, including standing, walking, climbing, reaching, pushing, pulling and lifting up to 50lbs.

• Ability to Travel (<25%): some domestic and international travel required.

• Accommodation for Disabilities: Kymera is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. When requested and feasible, reasonable accommodations will be made to help individuals with disabilities perform essential job functions.

• Accommodation for Disabilities: Kymera is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. When requested and feasible, reasonable accommodations will be made to help individuals with disabilities perform essential job functions.

Work Environment

• Industrial machine and thermal spray shop environment.

Benefits Summary:

At Kymera International, we provide a competitive benefits package to support your health, well-being, and financial security, including:

Generous Time Off: 11 annual company-paid holidays and PTO.

Healthcare Savings: Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), and comprehensive dental and vision coverage.

Retirement Support: 401(k) plan with a competitive company match.

Insurance Coverage: Company-paid short-term disability and life insurance, with additional voluntary options like critical illness, hospital care, and long-term disability coverage.

Competitive pay.

Team Benefits: A supportive team culture and resources to help you thrive. We are dedicated to helping you live your best life, both professionally and personally.

Benefits are reviewed annually.