Production Manager (Manufacturing)

Production Leadership

Spartanburg, South Carolina

Professional Direct Hire

Aug 28, 2026

HTI is assisting a global paper packaging manufacturer with their search for an experienced Production Manager for their start-up facility in Spartanburg, SC! The company offers excellent benefits, opportunities for growth, and a positive, collaborative work culture.

Base Salary:

$110,000 - $125,000 / year, depending on experience (plus up to $10,000 bonus)

Location:

Spartanburg, SC

Relocation assistance is available

This is a direct hire, salaried, full-time position

Summary

Lead plant production activities and team members to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality operation. This role is responsible for controlling manufacturing activities within budgeted costs, safety, productivity, quality and product safety standards. This role will also manage the Maintenance Team Lead/Planner and help to oversee day-to-day maintenance team activities and management of workshop spaces. This role will oversee future CAPEX and equipment installation projects, managing external vendors/engineers and project budgets.

REQUIREMENTS

Must have at least 5+ years of recent experience as a Production Manager or Production Supervisor with oversight of at least 50+ hourly employees on multiple shifts. Must have at least 8 years of total manufacturing production experience.

Experience in paper/paperboard packaging, paper converting, or other packaging manufacturing

Previous experience with a startup plant, installation/launch of new production lines, or plant expansion projects, preferably as a Production Manager or Supervisor

ISO 9001 and/or 14001 experience

Experience in a GMP environment providing packaging products to FDA-regulated industries strongly preferred

Food safety/SQF, BRC, AIB and/or HACCP experience

Safety First mindset

Strong leadership, communication, and employee training/development abilities

Strong technology and computer skills, including MS Office and ERP systems

Experience in project planning and management (CAPEX/machinery installations), project budgeting

KPI monitoring/reporting

Experience implementing continuous improvement strategies

Previous management of or direct coordination with maintenance functions and personnel, including scheduling/planning, CMMS, and preventative/predictive maintenance programs

Preferred Skills/Experience:

Bachelor's, Associate's, or Technical degree Mechanical/electrical aptitude

CMMS and maintenance data analysis

Lean Six Sigma, TPM, and/or reliability engineering

JOB DUTIES

This role will directly manage the Production Team Leads and the Maintenance Team Leader/Planner, with overall management responsibility for a team of approximately 35+ hourly employees to start, including Machine Operators, Packers, Maintenance Technicians and the Plant Electrician. The plant will add additional lines within the next 1-2 years and will be additional team members at that time.

Working closely with the Plant Manager, Engineering, Quality, Logistics and Safety teams, this role will drive continuous improvement, preventative maintenance, and resource optimization.

Develop and implement production processes and standards to optimize efficiency.

Monitor production data/KPIs and drive continuous improvement initiatives, including Manufacturing Excellence.

Coordinate with the Quality Manager to ensure product released to customers meets specifications and food packaging safety requirements.

Support labor planning in order to meet production schedules.

Support and lead the Maintenance Team Leader/Planner and the maintenance team.

Assist with the design and management of preventative maintenance systems, including scheduling, documentation, and critical spares inventory.

Work with the Maintenance Team Leader to analyze data, identify the root cause of breakdowns, and implement corrective actions and reliability improvements.

Coordinate subcontractors and external resources to meet maintenance needs beyond internal capabilities.

Promote and lead a safety-first culture, ensuring compliance with Health and Safety, ISO 9001:2015, GMP, and food packaging safety standards.

Coordinate with the Safety Manager to manage safety performance, risk mitigation, and emergency response.

Oversee training programs in collaboration with the Plant Manager and HR to ensure all personnel are competent in safety, quality, and operational standards.

Work with the Quality Manager to investigate product non-conformances and customer complaints, ensuring timely resolution and reporting.

Manage CAPEX project/machinery installation budgets and costs for contractors, operations and staffing.

Monitor and control labor utilization, consumables, and waste to meet budget targets.

Build engagement, strong team spirit, and an environment that supports continuous improvement.

BENEFITS INCLUDE

401K with company match

Healthcare

Dental

Vision

EAP

PTO

Paid holidays

#INDPRO