Production Floor Manager

Production Floor Manager Position Summary The Production Floor Manager is the operational backbone of our sewing floor at Dignity Apparel Tennessee. This hands-on leadership role is responsible for keeping production moving — accurately, on time, and at the quality standards our customers expect. Working in close partnership with the Production Planning Manager and the Finance and Administration Manager, this person ensures the right goods are being produced at the right time, that the floor is running efficiently, and that every member of the team knows what is expected of them. An effective Production Floor Manager integrates our mission and values into their work while positively contributing to our growing environment, leading the 20+ production employees in a way that serves the people of Dignity Apparel Tennessee under our mission to create dignified, life-changing jobs. We are looking for someone who is calm under pressure, decisive, and genuinely enjoys the challenge of keeping a busy production floor humming. This person sets clear expectations, holds people accountable with firmness and respect, and doesn't get rattled when personalities, priorities, or machinery create drama. If you can juggle a dozen moving parts with a steady hand and a clear head, this role is for you. Team Structure & Reporting This role has direct management responsibility for all production floor employees — including sewers, mechanics, and other production-side quality and warehouse staff. The Production Floor Manager works with the sewing leads and sets the daily direction for the entire floor team, from line assignments and staffing coverage to equipment priorities and quality standards. The Production Floor Manager works alongside two peer managers who together form the company's leadership team: The Production Planning Manager, who oversees production scheduling, supply chain coordination, dyehouse and finishing relationships, and partner and customer requirements. The Finance and Administration Manager, who handles company finance, administration, and HR support. Together, these three roles keep the business running — from raw material to finished product to customer delivery. Core Responsibilities Production Planning & Floor Coordination Partner with the Production Planning Manager to ensure the right products are being cut, sewn, and completed on schedule — adjusting floor priorities as production demands shift. Distribute and manage cut sheets and production schedules to the cutting and sewing teams on a regular cadence. Identify and resolve production issues quickly — whether that's missing key staff, a component shortage, a quality problem, or a staging bottleneck — and communicate status clearly to the Planning Manager. Keep the production floor organized, staged, and ready to work. Incomplete batches, problem lots, and unresolved issues should never sit longer than necessary. Expedite the flow of all components and trims needed to keep sewing lines moving without interruption. When necessary, act as a back-up for the Production Planning Manager. Sewing Lines & Staffing Direct the daily deployment of sewing line staff, including the strategic placement of utility sewers where coverage is most needed. Fill line gaps caused by absences or tardiness and ensure no line goes unstaffed or under-supported. Support Sewing Leads in guiding the lines, maintaining quality standards, and troubleshooting production issues. Develop and maintain a consistent, fair process for communicating speed and quality feedback to sewers — recognizing strong performance and addressing gaps constructively. Quality Assurance & Production Reporting Oversee QA/QC activities across the floor, working with Lead Sewers to catch and resolve quality issues before they become larger problems. Track and report daily production numbers accurately, providing the management team with a clear picture of output against plan. Maintain all required production logs, inspection records, and reporting documentation in a complete and timely manner. Submit weekly production and payroll reports to the appropriate internal stakeholders. Mechanics & Equipment Direct the work of the mechanics — communicate priorities clearly and ensure their time is focused where it will have the greatest impact on uptime. Track machine performance across all cutting and sewing equipment. Know which machines are aging, which need attention, and when a swap or significant repair is needed before it disrupts production. Proactively flag equipment risk to leadership so that scheduling decisions account for potential downtime. Supplies & Inventory Monitor inventory levels for all production floor consumables — including thread, labels, sewing tools, QC materials, and other supplies. Initiate replenishment orders before shortages can impact production. The floor should never stop because a supply ran out. HR, Payroll & Administrative Duties Participate in candidate interviews for production staff. Support all HR activities related to onboarding and separating staff, including but not limited to documentation, access management, and role-specific company equipment. Manage all day-to-day attendance and timekeeping for production floor staff, including tracking tardiness, PTO, and unpaid time off. Administer corrective action processes for attendance and conduct issues in a consistent, documented, and respectful manner. Ensure HR has accurate and up-to-date production-side information needed for employee files — including certifications, pay changes, and status updates. Communicate regularly with the management team on staffing status, daily production results, and any floor issues requiring broader awareness. Training & Development Lead new hire onboarding and training for all production floor roles, ensuring employees are set up for success from day one. Expand the cross-training and certification of utility sewers to build flexibility and resilience across lines. Establish and maintain a consistent daily start-of-shift routine so that every aspect of the floor is accounted for before production begins. Qualifications Required Demonstrated experience supervising or leading a team in a production or manufacturing environment. Strong problem-solving instincts — able to diagnose and resolve issues quickly, from minor hiccups to complex production or personnel challenges. Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously without losing focus or composure.

Computer proficiency:

email, spreadsheets, digital file management, and reporting tools. Clear, professional communicator — written and verbal — with employees, peers, and external contacts alike. Calm, grounded demeanor with the ability to address conflict or tension on the floor directly, fairly, and without drama. Highly organized with strong attention to detail, particularly around documentation and recordkeeping. Preferred Experience in garment, apparel, or cut-and-sew manufacturing. Background working with or coordinating industrial equipment maintenance. Familiarity with basic payroll processes and HR documentation. What We're Really Looking For Beyond the job duties, this role calls for a specific kind of person — someone who: Values-driven — Is energized by and embraces Dignity Apparel's mission and values, and is a genuine team player every day. Communicator — Addresses problems directly and respectfully, whether it's a machine down, a bad batch, or a personality conflict on the line. Composed — Stays steady when things get chaotic — and they will — setting the tone on the floor through consistency, follow-through, and visible presence. Trusted leader — Earns trust from their team by being fair, clear, and reliable, holding people accountable with firmness and respect. Owner's mindset — Takes ownership — if something's falling through the cracks, they notice it and fix it.

Dignity Apparel:

Mission, Method & Values To create dignified, life-changing jobs. We seek to grow the breadth of our impact by creating as many jobs as we can, focusing on markets that resonate with our mission. We seek to grow our depth of impact by partnering with like-minded organizations who will help us to transform lives. Family — Dignity Apparel exists to create a family-friendly employment environment for our team. We seek to care for team members individually in an equitable manner, provide generous wages and benefits, and create a company culture where people enjoy coming to work. Relationship — Dignity Apparel values relationships over transactions. We seek to create lasting relationships with our team members, clients, and vendors, supporting them in meeting real needs and realizing their goals over the long-term. We believe the best in one another, seeking to make each other better and putting others before self. Excellence — Dignity Apparel subscribes to a call to excellence. We seek to be an industry leader in every aspect of our work, and to achieve continually higher levels of quality in what we produce. We are committed to provide outstanding service to all clients, and to working hard each day to find fulfillment in a job well done. Honesty & Integrity — Dignity Apparel believes that honesty and integrity are of the utmost importance in how we do our work. Honesty and integrity build trust, and trust is the foundation for strong and successful relationships between coworkers, with our clients, and with our vendors. Dignity — Dignity Apparel is a workplace where all can work with dignity. We want each team member to realize their full potential, both personally and in their trade, craft, or skill area. Above all we are committed to creating a safe workplace where team members can operate free from fear of harm.

Position Details Job Type:

Full-time, Exempt Pay:

Salary, commensurate with experience

Work Location:

In person — 403 Old Knoxville Hwy, New Tazewell, TN 37825

Reports To:

This position is part of the Dignity Apparel Tennessee team and reports to the Director of Dignity Apparel Tennessee. Benefits include 401(k) matching, health, dental, vision, and life insurance, paid time off, and on-the-job training. Physical Requirements Ability to stand and walk for extended periods on a production floor. Frequent movement between cutting tables, sewing lines, and office or administrative areas. Ability to lift up to 30 lbs as needed. Comfort working in a manufacturing environment with industrial sewing and cutting equipment. This job description describes the general nature and level of work expected in this role. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications.

Pay:

$45,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person