Production Manager

The Production Manager leads all production operations in a three-shift automotive extrusion facility, ensuring the achievement of Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Productivity, and People Development objectives. This role drives operational excellence through Lean Manufacturing practices, employee engagement, and the development of supervisors and frontline leaders. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with a strong floor presence and a proven ability to improve performance, build accountability, and sustain a high-performing culture across all shifts.

Safety & Quality

• Promote a zero-incident culture through proactive hazard identification and risk mitigation.
• Ensure compliance with all safety policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, and customer standards.
• Lead the execution of safety audits, layered process audits, and corrective action follow-up.
• Ensure timely investigation of incidents, near misses, and injuries, with effective and sustainable corrective actions.
• Maintain compliance with IATF 16949 requirements and quality management systems.
• Drive continuous improvement in customer PPM, scrap reduction, and internal quality performance.
• Ensure adherence to Control Plans, PFMEA, Work Instructions, and Standardized Work.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions using 8D, A3, 5 Why, and other problem-solving methodologies.

Production Leadership

• Lead and optimize production operations across all shifts to achieve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost targets.
• Develop and execute production plans that align with customer requirements and business objectives.
• Monitor operational performance and implement actions to improve throughput, efficiency, and resource utilization.
• Ensure consistent execution of manufacturing standards, processes, and expectations across all shifts.
• Partner with Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, Logistics, and Human Resources to achieve operational goals.

Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement

• Champion and sustain Lean Manufacturing principles throughout the operation.
• Implement and maintain Standardized Work, Leader Standard Work, and Daily Management systems.
• Lead Gemba walks, tier meetings, and structured problem-solving activities.
• Drive waste elimination, productivity improvements, and process standardization initiatives.
• Facilitate Kaizen events and continuous improvement projects that deliver measurable business results.

People Development

• Lead, coach, and develop production supervisors, team leaders, and hourly employees.
• Establish clear performance expectations, accountability, and operational discipline.
• Conduct performance reviews and support employee development and training plans.
• Build succession plans and strengthen leadership capability within the manufacturing organization.
• Foster a culture of engagement, teamwork, respect, and continuous improvement.
• Identify, develop, and mentor high-potential employees to support future leadership needs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
  At least 5 years of experience leading production operations within an automotive manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated success driving operational improvements through Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience managing and developing teams in a multi-shift manufacturing operation.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, with the ability to effectively communicate and lead a diverse workforce.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience in extrusion manufacturing operations.
• Working…