Production Manager

HR Consulting Solutions is a full-service HR consulting and executive search firm that has been retained by Premier Candle Corporation to conduct a search for an experienced Production Manager to oversee daily manufacturing operations at their facility in Hickory, Kentucky.

ABOUT PREMIER CANDLE

Premier Candle is a leading manufacturer of scented candles and home fragrance products. Formerly known as Mayfield Consumer Products, the company has undergone significant transformation and investment following the devastating tornado that impacted the facility and community in 2021. Today, Premier Candle is focused on rebuilding, modernizing operations, investing in people, and creating a culture centered on safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

The organization operates multiple production lines and continues to invest in automation, equipment upgrades, process improvements, and employee development to support long-term growth. This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced manufacturing leader who enjoys leading production teams, improving operational performance, developing employees, and driving a culture focused on safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting directly to the Plant Manager, the Production Manager will oversee the day-to-day operations of the manufacturing facility to ensure production goals are achieved while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, efficiency, and employee engagement. The Production Manager will provide hands‑on leadership to production supervisors, team leaders, and production employees while coordinating production schedules, workflow, staffing, equipment utilization, and continuous improvement initiatives.

This individual will play a critical leadership role in developing employees, driving accountability, and creating a positive, high‑performing manufacturing culture.

• Lead daily manufacturing operations to meet or exceed production schedules and operational objectives.
• Coordinate production start‑ups, shutdowns, product changeovers, and workflow throughout the facility.
• Allocate labor and resources to maximize efficiency and productivity.
• Monitor production performance and implement timely corrective actions when goals are not being achieved.
• Ensure accurate production documentation and reporting.

• Champion a strong safety culture throughout the production department.
• Ensure compliance with all company safety policies and procedures.
• Maintain excellent GMP and housekeeping standards throughout the facility.
• Ensure production consistently meets established quality standards and customer expectations.
• Partner with Quality and Maintenance to resolve production issues quickly and effectively.

• Lead, coach, and develop production supervisors, team leaders, and production employees.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and feedback.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, employee development, disciplinary actions, and performance management.
• Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, teamwork, and employee engagement.
• Create a positive work environment that promotes high morale and continuous improvement.

• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency, quality, and workflow.
• Utilize production data and key performance indicators to drive operational improvements.
• Partner with Maintenance to maximize equipment uptime and overall equipment effectiveness.
• Support process improvements that reduce waste, improve throughput, and increase operational performance.

• Work closely with Maintenance, Quality, Warehouse, Planning, and Plant Leadership to achieve company objectives.
• Ensure staffing levels and production schedules align with customer demand.
• Communicate production priorities and operational updates effectively across departments.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of leadership or…