Production Manager

Location: Springfield, IL

Salary: $ USD Annually - $ USD Annually

Industry leading manufacturer in the Springfield, IL area is seeking a high-impact Production Manager with deep technical expertise in plastics extrusion or blow molding to lead their daily manufacturing operations. The ideal candidate combines hands-on processing knowledge with transformative leadership to drive cultural change, build high-performing teams, and execute continuous improvement initiatives. You will be responsible for driving operational excellence, reducing scrap, maximizing uptime, and building an accountable, safety-first workplace culture.

• Operations Leadership:
  Oversee daily production on extrusion and/or blow molding lines to hit target output, profitability, on-time delivery, and quality standards.
• Drive Organizational Change:
  Champion continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, 5S, Kaizen, Six Sigma) to modernize processes, eliminate waste, and transform plant culture.
• Team Development &
  
  Coaching:
  
  Lead, mentor, and empower shift supervisors, technicians, and operators; set performance KPIs, resolve conflicts, and drive accountability across all shifts.
• Technical Process Optimization:
  Act as the subject matter expert in plastics processing (resin behavior, tooling, cycle times, wall thickness) to optimize parameters and troubleshoot complex issues.
• Safety & Compliance:
  Enforce strict adherence to safety (OSHA, EHS) regulations and quality management systems (ISO, SQF, or GMP) to ensure a safe, compliant work environment.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  
  Partner with Maintenance, Quality, and Supply Chain to minimize unplanned downtime, implement preventive maintenance, and manage scrap rates.

• Experience:
  
  5+ years of leadership/management experience in a plastics manufacturing facility, specifically with profile/sheet extrusion or extrusion/injection blow molding.
• Change Leadership:
  Proven track record of leading change management, improving employee engagement, and transforming plant culture.
• Continuous Improvement:
  Demonstrated hands‑on experience applying Lean Manufacturing, 5S, TPM, and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) methodologies.
• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Plastics, Mechanical, Industrial) or Business Operations, or an equivalent combination of technical training and hands‑on manufacturing leadership.
• Technical & Business Acumen:
  Strong understanding of resin characteristics, machinery troubleshooting, labor management, operational budgeting, and ERP/MES software (e.g., IQMS, SAP).

• Compensation:
  Competitive base salary with an annual performance-based bonus incentive.
• Health & Wellness:
  Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage starting on day one.
• Financial Security: 401(k) retirement plan with generous company matching, plus life and disability insurance.
• Paid Time Off:
  Generous PTO policy, paid sick leave, and company-paid holidays.
• Growth & Development:
  Tuition reimbursement programs, continuous technical training, and clear pathways for executive leadership advancement.