Production Manager

Description

The Production Manager is responsible for leading the day-to-day manufacturing operations of a high-precision CNC machining facility. This role ensures the safe, efficient, and profitable production of precision-machined components while consistently meeting customer expectations for quality, delivery, and cost. The position provides leadership and direction to machinists, machine operators, and production support personnel, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Working closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Planning, and Maintenance, the Production Manager drives schedule attainment, productivity improvements, process stability, and workforce development. Through effective leadership, performance management, and cross-functional collaboration, this individual ensures manufacturing objectives are achieved while supporting the company's strategic goals.

As a key leader within the Manufacturing organization, the Production Manager has significant influence on operational performance and business results. Success in this highly visible role requires the ability to develop people, execute production strategies, and continuously improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.

Requirements

Essential Functions

• •Lead daily manufacturing operations to ensure the safe, efficient, and profitable production of precision-machined components while meeting quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
• •Develop, lead, and motivate production personnel to meet business objectives, customer requirements, and revenue goals based on company forecasts and production schedules.
• •Direct and monitor shop floor activities to achieve schedule attainment, optimize resource utilization, reduce manufacturing lead times, and ensure on-time delivery performance.
• •Manage departmental labor utilization and support cost reduction initiatives through improved efficiency, productivity, and resource optimization.
• •Collaborate closely with Planning, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and Maintenance to resolve production challenges and improve operational performance.
• •Establish and maintain a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement throughout the manufacturing organization.
• •Monitor production metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs), including schedule attainment, productivity, labor efficiency, machine utilization, quality performance, and on-time delivery.
• •Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing principles, root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and other structured problem-solving methodologies.
• •Develop, implement, and sustain standardized work practices and process controls that improve productivity, repeatability, and product quality.
• •Manage workforce planning activities, including staffing levels, employee development, cross-training, succession planning, and contingency planning to support changing business demands.
• •Oversee and continuously improve on-the-job training programs to ensure a knowledgeable, capable, and highly skilled workforce.
• •Evaluate and communicate the operational and financial impact of productivity improvements, inefficiencies, downtime, scrap, and rework.
• •Support employee performance management activities, including coaching, mentoring, performance evaluations, and corrective action processes when necessary.
• •Ensure compliance with all company policies, quality management system requirements, regulatory requirements, and environmental, health, and safety standards.
• •Regularly review production capacity, workload, and resource constraints, and implement corrective actions to meet production commitments and business objectives.
• •Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Required Competencies

• •Strong understanding of CNC machining processes and precision manufacturing operations.
• •Strong leadership skills with the ability to develop, motivate, and hold employees accountable for achieving operational objectives.
• •Excellent interpersonal, analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• •Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate with employees, management, and cross-functional teams.
• •Ability to analyze operational data and key performance indicators (KPIs) to support decision-making and continuous improvement efforts.
• •Demonstrated ability to lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing principles, visual management systems, standard work, root cause analysis, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• •Strong workforce development skills, including employee coaching, training, mentoring, succession planning, and organizational development.
• •Demonstrated experience improving manufacturing throughput, productivity, quality, and operational efficiency.
• •Working knowledge of ISO 9001 and/or AS9100 quality management systems, process control methodologies, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and continuous improvement tools.
• •Strong understanding of workplace safety requirements, OSHA regulations, and safe manufacturing practices.
• •Proven ability to manage competing priorities and effectively respond to changing business and production requirements.
• •Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, manufacturing ERP systems, and data analysis tools.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position provides direct supervision to Team Leads, machinists, machine operators, and production support personnel.

Work Environment

This role operates in a manufacturing and professional office environment.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, some of which may be done with accommodations.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate, both verbally and in writing, in English.

The employee is frequently required to move about the manufacturing floor, office, use a computer, and reach with hands and arms. May be necessary to lift up to 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time salaried position, hours of work are Monday through Friday, 7:00am to 4:30pm. It may be occasionally necessary to work flexible, extended, or Saturday hours depending on production demand.

Travel

Little to no travel is expected for this position.

Required Education and Experience

• •Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• •Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in a CNC machining or precision manufacturing environment.
• •Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience managing manufacturing personnel, production operations, or multiple production work centers in a CNC machining or precision manufacturing environment.
• •Demonstrated experience leading production teams to achieve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity objectives.
• •Strong understanding of CNC machining processes, setup reduction, and process improvement.
• •Experience utilizing ERP/MRP systems, production scheduling tools, and manufacturing performance metrics.
• •Proven experience leading continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing principles and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• •Experience with workforce development, training, coaching, performance management, and succession planning.
• •Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and manufacturing process documentation preferred.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required