APO Production Manager

For the past 162 years, Swisher has been an industry leader known for its iconic products and commitment to high quality standards. With a rich history, Swisher serves adult consumers through a diverse range of businesses, including Swisher Sweets Cigar Company, Helme Tobacco Co., Hempire, Rogue Holdings, and Drew Estate:
The Rebirth of Cigars. We have a passion for people and helping them build rewarding careers. If you're ready to create excitement and drive what's next in the industry, we'd love to hear from you.

The Production Manager is responsible for leading and optimizing manufacturing operations within assigned production areas, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective execution of production activities. This role is accountable for production planning, workforce leadership, operational performance, quality execution, and continuous improvement initiatives that support customer demand and business objectives.

The Production Manager partners closely with Planning, Procurement, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, and Operations leadership to ensure production schedules are executed efficiently, resources are optimized, and manufacturing performance meets organizational goals. This position plays a critical role in driving operational excellence, workforce development, safety performance, and sustainable business results within a fast-paced CPG manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute production plans to meet customer demand while optimizing labor, equipment, materials, and manufacturing resources to achieve production, service, quality, and cost objectives
• Collaborate with Planning, Supply Chain, Procurement, Sales, Quality, Engineering, and Maintenance teams to align production schedules with business priorities, inventory requirements, and customer expectations
• Lead and oversee daily production operations across assigned manufacturing areas, ensuring achievement of production schedules, output targets, quality standards, and customer service requirements
• Lead, mentor, and develop Operations Managers, Production Supervisors, Mechanics, Team Leads, and Operators, fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, continuous improvement, and operational excellence
• Establish workforce plans and staffing strategies that support operational requirements while maximizing labor productivity and organizational effectiveness
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement by promoting employee involvement, operational discipline, and adherence to company values and expectations
• Ensure production processes comply with established quality standards, regulatory requirements, operating procedures, and manufacturing specifications
• Implement and monitor quality control measures, partnering with Quality Assurance teams to ensure products consistently meet or exceed customer and regulatory requirements
• Optimize resource allocation, including manpower, equipment, materials, and production capacity, to maximize efficiency, throughput, and operational performance
• Partner with Procurement and Supply Chain teams to ensure timely availability of raw materials, packaging components, and production supplies while minimizing shortages and operational disruptions
• Collaborate with Supply Chain and Operations Support teams to support implementation, optimization, and integration of ERP, MES, WMS, and manufacturing technologies that improve operational visibility and inventory accuracy
• Establish, monitor, and report key performance indicators (KPIs) related to safety, quality, productivity, cost, inventory, labor utilization, waste reduction, and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
• Analyze production data, operational trends, and performance metrics to identify opportunities for improvement and implement sustainable corrective actions
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, automation technologies, and operational excellence methodologies to improve productivity, reduce waste, and enhance manufacturing performance
• Lead cross-functional teams in implementing process improvements, equipment upgrades, automation projects,…