Production Manager

Production Manager – Plastics Manufacturing

The Production Manager is responsible for overseeing all manufacturing and production activities within a plastics manufacturing facility. This role provides leadership to production supervisors, technicians, operators, and support personnel while ensuring production targets are achieved safely, efficiently, and in accordance with quality standards.

The Production Manager will drive operational excellence through effective workforce management, process improvement, equipment utilization, production planning, and cross-functional collaboration. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership experience in plastics manufacturing, including injection molding, blow molding, extrusion, or related polymer processing operations.

• Direct and oversee daily manufacturing operations to meet production schedules, customer requirements, and company objectives.
• Monitor production performance, including output, efficiency, scrap, downtime, labor utilization, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Ensure production schedules are achieved while maintaining product quality and cost targets.
• Identify and resolve production bottlenecks, equipment issues, material shortages, and process inefficiencies.
• Coordinate with Planning, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain to ensure uninterrupted production.
• Establish priorities and allocate labor, equipment, and resources based on production requirements.

• Provide leadership and technical oversight for plastics processing operations, including injection molding, blow molding, extrusion, or other applicable processes.
• Work closely with Process Technicians and Engineering to optimize machine settings, cycle times, material utilization, and overall process performance.
• Monitor processing conditions and ensure standardized operating procedures are followed.
• Support troubleshooting of molding, extrusion, automation, and material-related issues.
• Drive initiatives to reduce scrap, rework, downtime, and production variability.

• Lead, coach, and develop Production Supervisors, Leads, Technicians, and Operators.
• Establish clear performance expectations and hold team members accountable for results.
• Manage staffing levels, scheduling, overtime, attendance, and workforce utilization.
• Participate in recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, training, and performance evaluations.
• Promote a culture of teamwork, accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

• Partner with Quality to ensure products meet customer specifications and internal quality standards.
• Investigate production-related quality issues and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Ensure employees follow documented work instructions, process specifications, and quality procedures.
• Support compliance with applicable OSHA, ISO, FDA, GMP, and customer-specific requirements, as applicable.
• Maintain a strong focus on process consistency and defect prevention.

• Maintain a safe working environment and promote a strong safety culture throughout the production department.
• Ensure employees follow company safety policies, procedures, and PPE requirements.
• Participate in safety audits, investigations, and corrective actions.
• Identify potential hazards and implement measures to reduce workplace injuries and incidents.
• Lead and support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Utilize tools such as 5S, Kaizen, root cause analysis, 5-Why, and corrective action methodologies.
• Analyze production data to identify opportunities for improved efficiency, throughput, quality, and cost reduction.
• Develop and implement initiatives to improve machine utilization, labor productivity, and material efficiency.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to measure production performance.

• Partner with Maintenance to ensure production equipment is properly maintained and available when needed.
• Monitor equipment downtime and recurring mechanical or electrical issues.
• Assist with capital equipment projects, machine installations, automation initiatives, and facility improvements.
• Provide input on equipment upgrades, process improvements, and new technology investments.

• Track and report key production metrics to senior management.
• Monitor KPIs including:
• Production output
• OEE
• Scrap and regrind
• Downtime
• On-time production
• Quality defects
• Safety performance
• Develop action plans when…