Production Manager

The Production Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing the daily operations of the production floor while actively participating in production activities and field installations. This hands-on leadership role combines manufacturing expertise with strong administrative and management capabilities to ensure that production goals are met safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards of quality. The Production Manager directly oversees Millwrights, Welders, Painters, and other production personnel — coordinating people, equipment, and resources to maintain workflow and meet production schedules. The role works cross-functionally with engineering, project management, quality, purchasing, and shipping to ensure smooth handoffs and uninterrupted workflow throughout the manufacturing process. In addition to managing shop operations, the Production Manager oversees field installations of equipment at customer sites, providing technical leadership and on-site support during commissioning and start-up. International travel is required to support field installations, customer relationships, supplier visits, and project commissioning. Experience working in or supplying the agriculture industry is considered a strong asset. Key Responsibilities Plan, supervise, and coordinate all daily activities on the production floor to meet production schedules, quality requirements, and customer commitments. Lead, mentor, and develop production staff including the Millwrights, Welders, Painters, and other shop personnel. Actively participate in hands-on production, fabrication, assembly, troubleshooting, and problem-solving when needed to keep projects moving. Manage day-to-day shop floor activities, ensuring work orders are completed accurately, on schedule, and to specification. Set clear daily and weekly production goals; communicate priorities, progress, and issues to the team and to management. Review production reports and key performance indicators; identify bottlenecks and implement corrective actions. Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, throughput, quality, safety, and cost reduction. Administration & Workflow Management Handle the administrative duties of the production floor, including production scheduling, work order management, and labor planning. Approve employee timecards, manage overtime, and ensure efficient labor utilization across the production team. Prepare and maintain shop documentation including production logs, maintenance records, employee training files, and quality records. Monitor inventory levels of raw materials, consumables, tools, and supplies; coordinate with purchasing and supply chain to ensure timely replenishment. Collaborate with engineering, project management, quality control, purchasing, and shipping departments to ensure smooth workflow, resolve production issues, and meet customer commitments. Participate in daily and weekly operations meetings, providing accurate status updates and surfacing risks early. Support hiring, onboarding, performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions for production staff in coordination with the Operations Manager and HR. Field Installations & Customer Support Oversee field installations of equipment at customer sites, including planning, mobilization, execution, and handover. Travel domestically and internationally as needed to support field installations, commissioning, customer training, and start-up activities. Provide on-site technical leadership and support to field crews; coordinate closely with the Shop Lead Hand and Project Manager during installations. Act as a senior point of contact for customers during installations and start-ups, representing the company professionally and ensuring customer expectations are met. Support customer service initiatives related to shop-built equipment, including troubleshooting, warranty resolution, and follow-up service. Safety, Quality & Equipment Maintain a safe, clean, and organized work environment by enforcing all company safety policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements. Lead safety meetings, toolbox talks, and job hazard analyses; ensure proper use of PPE and lockout/tagout procedures across the production floor and in the field. Ensure all work meets company quality standards and customer specifications; participate in root-cause analysis and corrective action when defects occur. Ensure proper maintenance, calibration, and care of shop equipment, tools, and the facility; coordinate repairs and capital equipment requests as needed. Qualifications & Experience Minimum 10+ years of progressive experience in a manufacturing or industrial fabrication environment. Demonstrated combination of hands-on production experience and management/supervisory experience leading a multi-trade team. Proven ability to lead skilled trades including millwrights, welders, painters, and shop lead hands. Trade certification, journeyman ticket, or post-secondary education in a relevant mechanical, fabrication, or manufacturing discipline is a strong asset. Experience overseeing field installations of industrial or fabricated equipment at customer sites. Experience working in or supplying the agriculture industry is preferred. Valid passport and ability to travel internationally without restrictions. Valid driver's license; ability to obtain country-specific work and travel documentation as needed. Working knowledge of applicable health, safety, and environmental regulations (e.g., OHS, WHMIS, OSHA, CSA). Required Skills & Competencies Technical Skills Ability to read, interpret, and work from assembly drawings, fabrication drawings, and electrical drawings/schematics. Strong understanding of welding, machining, fabrication, mechanical assembly, and surface preparation/painting processes. Familiarity with hydraulic, pneumatic, and electromechanical systems used in production equipment. Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems, production scheduling tools, and standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Office, scheduling and reporting tools). Comfortable using precision measuring instruments and quality inspection tools. Leadership & Interpersonal Skills Strong leadership and team-building skills with the ability to mentor and develop skilled trades. Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to communicate effectively with shop floor staff, management, customers, and suppliers. Ability to work cross-functionally with engineering, project management, quality, purchasing, and shipping to maintain smooth workflow. Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize competing demands. Sound judgment and decision-making in fast-paced production and field environments. Customer-focused mindset with the professionalism to represent the company on customer sites internationally. Core Competencies Hands-on, lead-by-example work ethic. Safety awareness and compliance. Problem-solving and root-cause analysis. Accountability and ownership of results. Continuous improvement mindset. Adaptability and resilience in changing project conditions. Compensation will be based on the candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications, and is negotiable for the right individual who demonstrates the ability to excel in the role.

Pay:

$85,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Paid time off

Experience:

Management:

10 years (Preferred)

Microsoft Office:

10 years (Preferred) Industrial equipment: 10 years (Preferred) Manufacturing management: 10 years (Preferred) Willingness to travel: 50% (Preferred)

Work Location:

In person