Corrugated Production Manager

Job Summary We are seeking a hands-on Converting Production Manager to lead converting operations during an assigned shift in a fast-paced corrugated manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for driving safe, high-quality, and efficient production while developing employees, supporting continuous improvement, and aligning daily performance with plant goals for safety, quality, cost, delivery, and customer satisfaction.

The Converting Production Manager will direct daily converting operations and ensure production schedules are completed safely, efficiently, and on time.

• Execute daily production schedules and ensure customer commitments are met.
• Drive production performance, including throughput, uptime, efficiency, and labor productivity.
• Make timely decisions regarding staffing, machine assignments, priorities, and workflow adjustments.

• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all safety policies.
• Lead pre-shift huddles and communicate daily priorities related to safety, quality, production, and maintenance.
• Investigate incidents, near misses, and unsafe behaviors; ensure corrective actions are completed.
• Ensure employees are properly trained and consistently follow PPE, lockout/tagout, and plant safety requirements.

• Ensure all finished goods meet customer specifications and plant quality standards.
• Monitor quality performance and address recurring defects related to print, die cutting, folding, and gluing.
• Enforce first-piece approvals and in-process inspections.
• Partner with Quality and Production teams to reduce complaints, scrap, and rework.

• Supervise lead personnel, operators, utility employees, and production crews within the converting department.
• Coach, train, and develop employees to improve skills, engagement, accountability, and performance.
• Support performance evaluations, corrective action, recognition, and employee relations activities.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, clear communication, and a strong sense of ownership across the shift.

• Collaborate with Scheduling, Maintenance, Quality, Shipping, and other departments to maintain workflow alignment.
• Manage job sequencing, changeovers, and machine utilization.
• Ensure proper staffing levels and coverage for all converting operations.
• Lead effective shift handoffs with clear communication on safety concerns, production priorities, downtime, staffing, and quality issues.

• Track, communicate, and improve key performance indicators, including:
  • Safety metrics
  • Efficiency and uptime (OEE)
  • Waste/scrap reduction
  • On-time delivery (OTD)
  • Labor productivity
• Analyze daily production reports and identify improvement opportunities.
• Lead continuous improvement and cost‑saving initiatives that improve safety, quality, efficiency, and delivery.

• Partner with Maintenance to coordinate repairs and preventive maintenance.
• Ensure crews properly operate, clean, and care for equipment, dies, plates, tooling, and work areas.
• Identify chronic downtime issues and support troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and corrective action.
• Oversee proper handling and care of dies, plates, and tooling.

• Complete shift reports, production tracking, and labor reporting accurately.
• Manage timekeeping, attendance, shift coverage, and scheduling for assigned personnel.
• Participate in plant meetings, audits, training, safety activities, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and standards.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in corrugated converting operations or a closely related manufacturing environment.
• Strong working knowledge of converting equipment, including Apstar, LMC, or similar FFG/RDC machinery.
• Prior leadership experience as a lead, supervisor, or equivalent production leadership role.
• Knowledge of production scheduling, workflow management, quality standards, and lean manufacturing principles.

• Supervisory or management experience…