Production Manager (Direct Hire)
Sussex, WI (Monday-Thursday 6 am to 4:30 PM)
Job Requisition: 7463
Description for Production Manager:
The Production Manager will be responsible for overseeing and optimizing assembly operations to ensure timely, accurate, and high-quality production output for 7 lines. The position leads day-to-day activities within the work cell, maintaining 6S standards, supporting continuous improvement initiatives, and ensuring team members are properly trained and equipped. The leader will manage operational KPIs, drive performance aligned with business goals, and collaborate cross-functionally to meet production and customer demands. Additionally, this role plays a key part in developing and managing production staff through onboarding, training, coaching, firing, and consistent performance management practices.
Responsibilities for Production Manager:
- Sets clear, attainable production-level and cell-level production targets and direct the team to meet these objectives.
- Manage daily production activities for the assembly cells including scheduling, production quality, material shortages and nonconformance reporting.
- Manage the production employees, including performance management, health and safety, and individual training & development.
- Work cross-functionally to ensure effective production processes and align resources to meet both customer & business demands.
- Work directly with product management to ensure sustainable production for critical products while providing guidance to drive design for manufacturing/design for automation improvements. Facilitates new product integration and manages related engineering changes.
- Build a culture of continuous improvement to ensure effective labor and materials management are engrained in everyday activities. Support continuous improvement initiatives and implement and evaluate outcomes.
- Work directly with operational leadership to manage production requirements in alignment with business objectives & strategies and prepare monthly production reports.
- Maintain production standards to ensure accurate labor reporting and costing.
- Ensure compliance with local standards and maintains a safe working environment.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Cells are functioning effectively and team members are deployed in alignment with the needs of the business.
- Lean principles are implemented and driven throughout the organization.
- Performance management, including training & development, is process-driven and implemented consistently throughout the manufacturing team.
- Plan production schedule and allocate resources to drive efficient, timely output, targeting improved productivity.
Requirements for Production Manager:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, engineering management, supply chain or a related field
- A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a production environment holding positions of progressive responsibility
- Alternative combinations of education and experience will be considered
- A minimum of 3 years’ experience in a direct management position
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills at all organizational levels
- Strong decision-making skills and results-driven approach
- Proven analytical ability and familiarity with a KPI-driven operations environment
- Proficiency in Lean Principles a plus: Problem Solving, 5S, Flow, Standard Work, Kanban
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Proven problem-solving proficiency
- Proven ability to lead hourly employees in a manufacturing environment
- Experience with KPI metric management and deployment
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills to work effectively with diverse groups of people both within, and outside, of the organization.
Nice to Have:
- Experience in electronics manufacturing a plus
