Senior Manager Production

Kubota Group; Gainesville, Northern (GA, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Kubota Group is seeking a Senior Production Manager to lead large-scale manufacturing operations, directing 1–3 factories and guiding production leaders across hundreds of employees. The role focuses on safety, quality, productivity, and continuous improvement to achieve production goals.

The candidate will oversee cross-functional collaboration with engineering, maintenance, supply chain, and HR, manage budgets, and ensure optimal resource use while maintaining safety and delivery standards.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of manufacturing operations experience.
• 5+ years in management or multi-site leadership.
• Experience managing 300+ employees.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, quality control, and safety regulations.
• Proven ability to drive cultural and operational improvements in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills; ability to lead diverse teams.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or kaizen.

Responsibilities

• Owns daily, weekly, and monthly production execution across 1–3 factories, achieving output, safety, quality, and cost targets.
• Directs and develops Production Managers; ensures standard practices across shifts.
• Aligns labor, equipment, and materials to meet changing production demand.
• Ensures daily compliance with safety, quality, and environmental standards.
• Partners with plant and quality leadership to address systemic issues and prevent recurrence.
• Monitors performance using KPIs related to throughput, labor efficiency, scrap, downtime, and delivery.
• Leads Kaizen, Lean, and 5-Gen manufacturing initiatives with measurable results.
• Coaches and develops leaders to build accountability and bench strength.

Skills

Leadership

Decision-making

Safety

Quality control

Continuous improvement

Budgeting

Cross-functional

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's/Associates/Technical degree in engineering or manufacturing

Tools

Manufacturing software

MS Office

Job description

As a Senior Production Manager, you will lead large-scale manufacturing operations that power the production of world-class tractors, implements, and utility vehicles. Overseeing one to three factories and guiding a team of production leaders responsible for hundreds of employees, you will play a critical role in delivering operational excellence. Success in this position requires strong leadership, sound decision-making, and a relentless focus on safety, quality, productivity, and continuous improvement. You will ensure the right resources, priorities, and processes are in place to consistently meet production goals while building a high-performing and engaged workforce.

Production Leadership & Operational Execution

• Owns daily, weekly, and monthly production execution across 1–3 factories , ensuring achievement of output, safety, quality, and cost targets
• Directly leads and develops Production Managers , ensuring consistent application of standards, priorities, and leadership practices across all shifts
• Aligns labor, equipment, and materials to rapidly adjust to changing production demand

Safety, Quality & Compliance Assurance

• Ensures daily compliance with all safety, quality, and environmental standards , actively validating conditions on the factory floor
• Reinforces PPE usage, standard work, and risk mitigation practices across weld, paint, and assembly environments
• Partners with plant and quality leadership to address systemic issues and prevent recurrence

Performance Management & Continuous Improvement

• Monitors and drives performance using KPIs related to throughput, labor efficiency, scrap, downtime, and delivery
• Leads Kaizen, Lean, and 5-Gen manufacturing initiatives , translating continuous improvement principles into measurable results
• Identifies bottlenecks and variability, deploying countermeasures rapidly in a fast-paced production environment

Workforce & Talent Management

• Manages staffing levels and performance across multiple shifts , always ensuring operational coverage and leadership presence
• Coaches and develops leaders to build accountability, engagement, and bench strength
• Works closely with HR on employee relations, performance actions, and succession planning

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partners daily with engineering, maintenance, supply chain, logistics, and HR to ensure seamless production flow
• Balances production priorities with maintenance needs, material availability, and engineering changes
• Serves as a key operational voice within the manufacturing leadership team
• Prepares and manages budgets for assigned production areas , controlling labor and operational costs
• Ensures efficient use of resources while maintaining safety, quality, and delivery standards
• Supports capital planning and resource justification as needed

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities):

• Proven experience (10+ years) in manufacturing operations
• 5+ years in management or a multi-site leadership role.
• Experience in management of 300+ employees.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, quality control, and safety regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to drive cultural and operational improvements in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or kaizen and driving improvements
• Ability to prioritize, manage, and execute multiple complex issues occurring simultaneously.
• Proficiency in manufacturing software and Microsoft Office Suite.

Education Requirements:

Bachelor’s, Associates, or technical degree in engineering, Manufacturing, or a related industry field

In lieu of a degree, we consider equivalent, job-related experience, military service, professional certifications, and demonstrated skills. Equivalency determinations are made based on the essential functions of the role.

The physical demands and work environmental characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Ability to work in extreme heat and cold.Ability to work in a loud environment.

Physical Demands:

80% factory, 20% office. While performing the duties of this job, the team member must have the ability to work in the manufacturing environments, in all climates. Hot and cold conditions inside the plants are relative to seasonal changes. Hot/warm conditions for paint shop areas and weld shop areas. Loud noise, weld flash, heavy parts and equipment requires the ability to dawn PPE in all production areas. Large areas of responsibility that require extensive walking and standing. Capable of standing, extensive walking, climbing stairs on a frequent basis without physical constraints. Member must also be able to work extended and flexible work hours to interface with workers on all shifts as well as international business units. Must be physically able to travel domestically and internationally.