Production Operations Manager Job Morton Grove area,Illinois USA,Manufacturing / Production

Via Tech is seeking a hands-on, technically strong Production Operations Manager to lead production and manufacturing operations. This role combines deep mechanical and technical knowledge of industrial print or manufacturing equipment with the operational discipline to schedule jobs, run just-in-time production, and keep world-class equipment performing at its best. The ideal candidate has come up through the production floor, knows how to calibrate and maintain the equipment, and knows how to build and lead a large, technically competent team of operators.

POSITION

QUALIFICATIONS Abilities and

Skills:

Mechanical and technical expertise with industrial print or manufacturing equipment
Equipment setup, calibration, and quality verification
Just-in-time manufacturing and lean production practices
Production scheduling and job sequencing
Preventive maintenance planning and execution
Troubleshooting and root-cause problem-solving
Team leadership, technical training, and skills development
Capacity, labor, and resource planning
Data-driven decision-making and KPI management
Safety, accountability, and execution

Position Responsibilities:

Manage day-to-day production and manufacturing operations across all shifts, ensuring jobs are completed safely, on time, to specification, and within budget.
Schedule and sequence production jobs, including print production, based on customer commitments, due dates, material availability, equipment capacity, and staffing levels; adjust the schedule as priorities and conditions change.
Run production on just-in-time principles, aligning material flow and work-in-process to actual demand, reducing changeover time, and minimizing waste, excess inventory, and idle capacity.
Oversee the setup, calibration, and adjustment of production equipment to maintain consistent quality and specification standards.
Own the preventive maintenance program for world-class industrial production equipment, including PM schedules, completion tracking, spare parts planning, and coordination with OEM service technicians.
Serve as the technical escalation point for equipment issues; lead troubleshooting and root-cause analysis to reduce unplanned downtime and prevent repeat failures.
Lead, supervise, and develop a large team of equipment operators through clear expectations, coaching, performance management, and shift coverage planning.
Build technically competent teams through structured equipment training, operator qualification, cross-training, and documented standard operating procedures.
Identify bottlenecks and capacity gaps; recommend changes to staffing, shifts, equipment, workflow, or capital investment to support business requirements.
Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), including schedule attainment, on-time delivery, throughput, equipment uptime, PM compliance, waste and spoilage, and first-pass quality.
Partner with Customer Experience, Sales, Procurement, and Logistics to set realistic commitments and communicate delivery risks, constraints, and recovery plans.
Enforce safety standards, lockout/tagout procedures, and production floor housekeeping.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives that improve workflow, shorten lead times, and strengthen operational predictability.
Provide leadership with timely reporting on production performance, equipment condition, maintenance needs, and capital recommendations.

Experience:

Associate's degree or trade certification in a related field, such as Industrial Maintenance, Electromechanical Technology, Manufacturing Technology, or Printing Technology.
7+ years of experience in production or manufacturing operations, in print or other industrial environments.
3+ years of supervisory or management experience leading teams of equipment operators.
Hands-on experience operating, calibrating, and maintaining industrial print or manufacturing equipment.
Demonstrated success building and managing a preventive maintenance program for production equipment.
Proven experience running just-in-time or lean production in a scheduled, deadline-driven environment.
Strong mechanical aptitude, including the ability to read technical manuals, schematics, and equipment specifications.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and experience with MIS, ERP, or production scheduling systems.

Preferred:

Experience in a high-mix production environment such as print, packaging, fulfillment, or discrete manufacturing.
OEM technical training or certification on print or industrial production equipment.
Lean…