Position Summary The Production Manager is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of the Connecticut manufacturing facility and ensuring the safe, efficient, and cost-effective production of products that meet customer requirements and quality standards. This position serves as the primary operational leader of the facility and is accountable for production planning, workforce management, inventory control, purchasing coordination, safety, quality, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Production Manager develops staffing plans, establishes production priorities, manages operational performance, and ensures resources are effectively deployed to meet business objectives. Working closely with the VP, Operations, this role provides leadership and direction to production employees while driving operational excellence, employee development, and process improvement within a lean manufacturing environment. Flexibility to work outside normal business hours as required. Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities Directly supervises:
- Manufacturing Production Associates
- Senior Manufacturing Production Associates
- Maintenance Technician Responsible for: Hiring recommendations and candidate selection participation Employee onboarding and training Work assignments and labor planning Scheduling and staffing decisions Performance evaluations and coaching Employee development and cross-training Corrective action and disciplinary recommendations Attendance management Production goal setting and accountability Day-to-day operational leadership The Production Manager regularly directs the work of production employees and exercises independent judgment in managing labor resources, production priorities, workflow, inventory needs, and operational performance.
Workforce Management Develop staffing plans to support production requirements. Participate in recruiting, interviewing, hiring recommendations, and onboarding activities. Conduct performance reviews and provide ongoing coaching and feedback. Identify employee development and cross-training opportunities. Address performance concerns and recommend corrective actions when necessary. Promote employee engagement, accountability, and retention. Operational Leadership Develop and manage production schedules to meet customer commitments. Establish daily, weekly, and monthly operational priorities. Monitor key performance indicators and implement corrective actions when necessary. Coordinate production, maintenance, inventory, and purchasing activities. Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, and efficiency. Support budget planning and operational cost management activities. Financial & Inventory Management Monitor inventory levels and purchasing expenditures. Approve routine operational purchases within delegated authority. Identify cost-saving opportunities and operational efficiencies. Support inventory accuracy and inventory control initiatives. Partner with the VP, Operations to manage operational expenses and purchasing activities. Production Supervision & Workflow Coordination Supervise daily production activities and production personnel Assign work and establish daily production priorities Monitor production schedules to ensure customer orders are completed on time Coordinate workflow to maximize productivity and efficiency Assist production employees as needed to support operational requirements Monitor labor utilization and production performance Employee Leadership & Development Provide day-to-day supervision and direction to production employees Train and onboard new employees Promote accountability, teamwork, and safety Assist with employee performance evaluations and development planning Address routine employee issues and communicate concerns to the VP of Operations Support employee engagement and retention efforts Purchasing, Inventory & Supply Chain Support Coordinate ordering of raw materials, supplies, and operational consumables Monitor inventory levels to support production schedules Maintain inventory accuracy and organization Coordinate with suppliers regarding deliveries and material availability Assist in evaluating vendor performance and purchasing effectiveness Support inventory cycle counts and reconciliation efforts Quality & Operational Excellence Ensure products meet company quality standards and customer requirements Support quality inspections and corrective action activities Identify opportunities to improve production processes and workflow efficiency Assist with implementation of continuous improvement initiatives Maintain organized production records and operational documentation Safety & Compliance Promote a safe work environment and ensure compliance with company safety policies Conduct routine safety observations and address unsafe conditions Ensure employees utilize required PPE and safe work practices Support incident investigations and corrective actions as needed Maintain compliance with applicable company policies and procedures Communication & Coordination Communicate production status, staffing needs, inventory concerns, and operational issues to the VP of Operations Coordinate with Sales, Customer Service, and Operations regarding customer priorities and production schedules Support customer service and operational responsiveness Maintain accurate operational records and reporting Performance Metrics Safety OSHA recordables Near miss participation Safety audit completion Production On-time order completion Schedule attainment Labor productivity Quality Scrap and rework rates Customer quality issues Inspection compliance Inventory & Purchasing Inventory accuracy Material availability Purchasing efficiency Stockout prevention Leadership Employee retention Training completion Employee development Operational Performance Schedule attainment Labor efficiency Overtime management Throughput performance Workforce Management Employee retention Training completion Cross-training progress Employee performance development Financial Performance Inventory accuracy Purchasing effectiveness Material availability Operational cost management What Makes Someone Successful in This Role Strong leadership and accountability Ability to balance multiple priorities Hands-on problem-solving skills Strong organizational skills Production planning and scheduling capability Effective communication Commitment to safety and quality Ability to work independently in a lean manufacturing environment Continuous improvement mindset Strong sense of urgency and ownership Qualifications Education / Experience High school diploma or GED required Associate's degree preferred 3-7 years of manufacturing, production, logistics, or operations experience Prior supervisory or team leadership experience required Experience in a manufacturing environment required Experience with inventory, purchasing, or supply chain coordination preferred Skills & Competencies Production scheduling and workflow management Employee leadership and coaching Inventory control Purchasing and vendor coordination Forklift operation (or ability to obtain certification) Microsoft Office proficiency Strong communication and organizational skills Problem-solving and decision-making ability Ability to thrive in a small, fast-paced manufacturing environment Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds Ability to work within a manufacturing and warehouse environment as needed
Pay:
$85,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
401(k) 401(k) 2% match 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance On-the-job training Paid time off Vision insurance Application Question(s): Do you have at least 3 years of experience managing employees in a manufacturing environment? How many employees have you directly supervised? Have you been responsible for production scheduling and workflow management? Have you led Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, or other continuous improvement initiatives? What are your base salary expectations?
Education:
Associate (Preferred) Shift availability: Day Shift (Required) Ability to
Commute:
Bristol, CT 06010 (Required)
Work Location:
In person
