Production Manager

Location: Richmond

Job Title:

Production Manager

Job Description

The Production Manager plays a pivotal first-line leadership role in ensuring efficient day-to-day factory operations with a strong focus on safety, quality, reliability, and on-time performance. This position drives the "4Z" mindset-Zero Injury, Zero Defect, Zero Downtime, and Zero Lates-through visible leadership on the factory floor and continuous improvement initiatives. The role requires close coordination with multiple support functions to enable collaborative decision-making, balance business priorities, and support ongoing growth within a highly invested, carbon-conscious business unit.

This is an on-site, night-shift position based in Richmond, with planned future development opportunities and the potential to move into a hybrid schedule once fully trained.

Responsibilities

* Lead and model a strong safety culture by conducting daily safety inspections and weekly audits to drive continuous improvements in personal protective equipment and machinery safeguards.

* Identify health, safety, and environmental hazards on the factory floor and partner with safety teams to implement factory-wide corrective and preventive actions.

* Champion and sustain daily 5S routines to maintain high standards of workplace organization, cleanliness, and visual control.

* Spend 80-90% of time on the factory floor to actively monitor operations and drive achievement of the 4Z goals:
Zero Injury, Zero Defect, Zero Downtime, and Zero Lates.

* Analyze ERP transactions and production data to identify deviations, determine root causes, and implement corrective measures to stabilize and improve processes.

* Monitor equipment downtime trends and lead performance improvement activities to increase uptime, reliability, and throughput.

* Manage the night shift team, including 2 Team Leaders and approximately 12-16 Team Members, ensuring effective communication, clear expectations, and smooth shift handovers.

* Plan and execute recruitment and capacity planning based on 3-6-month factory load forecasts to ensure adequate staffing and capability.

* Oversee goal setting, annual performance reviews, and professional development plans for team members to build capability and engagement.

* Identify and implement cross-training opportunities to increase workforce flexibility and resilience across production areas.

* Drive continuous improvement and Lean initiatives, including Kaizen events, to identify and eliminate waste in time, motion, and inventory.

* Report all safety or quality deviations immediately and coordinate rapid corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

* Review existing Standard Operating Procedures regularly and propose technical optimizations to improve safety, quality, and efficiency.

* Interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and machine reports to support troubleshooting, process improvements, and production planning.

* Use ERP systems, MS Office tools, AutoCAD, and data analysis to monitor performance, support decision-making, and communicate results.

* Optimize the bottom line through proactive cost management, including labor, materials, and equipment utilization.

* Track reported hours and maintain an accurate competence matrix for the team, ensuring skill coverage aligns with operational needs.

* Maintain high 5S scores for assigned cells and teams and ensure full adherence to all corporate policies and procedures.

* Collaborate with engineering, maintenance, quality, and other support functions to coordinate projects, capital improvements, and process changes that support business goals.

Essential Skills

* Bachelor's degree, preferably in Mechanical Engineering or Industrial Engineering, or a related field with relevant experience.

* 3-5 years of experience in maintenance, production, or quality within a manufacturing or industrial environment.

* 1-2 years of experience in people management, leading teams in an operational setting.

* Strong ability to interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and machine reports to support operations and troubleshooting.

* Proficiency with ERP systems and advanced skills in MS Office applications for reporting, analysis, and communication.

* Experience with AutoCAD for reviewing or supporting mechanical or process designs.

* Demonstrated capability in process improvement and production management within an engineering or industrial context.

* Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and drive performance improvements based on quantitative insights.

* Proven track record of driving safety, quality, and operational excellence, including adherence to the 4Z metrics (Zero Injury, Zero Defect, Zero Downtime, Zero Lates).

* Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to work beyond standard 8-hour shifts when required and adapt to dynamic business cycles.

* Effective leadership, communication, and team-building skills to manage and develop a diverse night shift workforce.

* Commitment to maintaining high 5S standards and enforcing compliance…