Production Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Production Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing manufacturing operations at our Automotive Seating facility in Warren, Michigan . This role provides leadership to production teams, ensuring the safe, efficient, and cost-effective production of high-quality products that meet customer requirements. The Production Manager drives operational excellence through continuous improvement, workforce development, quality management, and strong cross-functional collaboration.

This position requires a hands-on leader who can effectively manage people, processes, and performance while maintaining a strong focus on safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

- Lead and supervise salaried production personnel across assigned manufacturing areas.
- Manage day-to-day production operations to ensure customer requirements, production schedules, and business objectives are achieved.
- Oversee the flow of raw materials through manufacturing and assembly processes while maintaining operational efficiency.
- Monitor production performance and implement corrective actions to address operational challenges.
- Ensure accurate production reporting and documentation.

Team Leadership & Workforce Development

- Develop, coach, and mentor leaders and team members to enhance performance and support succession planning.
- Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, collaboration, and continuous learning.
- Conduct performance evaluations, provide regular feedback, and support employee development initiatives.
- Promote effective communication across all levels of the organization.

Continuous Improvement

- Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, efficiency, quality, and cost reduction.
- Utilize Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and Six Sigma methodologies to drive operational excellence.
- Identify process improvement opportunities and implement sustainable solutions.

Quality Management

- Ensure products meet all customer and company quality requirements.
- Partner with Quality and Engineering teams to investigate root causes and implement corrective actions.
- Support quality audits, customer expectations, and plant quality objectives.
- Drive a culture of quality throughout the production organization.

KPI & Financial Management

- Monitor and manage key performance indicators (KPIs) related to safety, quality, delivery, productivity, scrap, downtime, and labor efficiency.
- Utilize data-driven decision-making to improve operational performance.
- Support budget development and manage departmental spending to meet financial targets.
- Maintain a strong understanding of manufacturing costs and overall business performance.

Safety & Compliance

- Maintain a safe and productive work environment by ensuring compliance with all company safety policies and procedures.
- Conduct regular workplace audits and inspections.
- Promote a culture of safety and continuous risk reduction.
- Ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and company operational standards.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

- Partner with Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Materials, Human Resources, and other departments to support plant objectives.
- Lead efforts to resolve production issues and improve plant performance.
- Support new product launches, operational changes, and customer-driven initiatives.

Required Qualifications

- 5-10 years of management experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Minimum of 10 years of overall manufacturing experience.
- Proven experience leading and developing salaried and hourly teams.
- Strong leadership, coaching, and workforce development skills.
- Excellent communication, problem-solving, and strategic-thinking abilities.
- Demonstrated experience managing KPIs and driving operational performance.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing financials, budgeting, and cost management.
- Experience with quality systems, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.
- Continuous Improvement and/or Kaizen certification required.
- In-depth knowledge of Just-In-Time (JIT) manufacturing principles .

Preferred Qualifications

- Automotive manufacturing experience.
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field.
- Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
- Lean Manufacturing certification and experience.
- Experience managing large-scale production operations within a high-volume manufacturing environment.

Work Schedule

Must be available to work 2nd Shift:

- Monday – Friday
- 2:15 PM – 10:15 PM

Additional overtime may be required based on customer demand, production schedules, and business needs.

PRIMARY LOCATION

Bridgewater Interiors II