Production Manager

Insight Global · Hickory, United States

The Production Manager leads a manufacturing operations department to achieve performance objectives in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity. This role provides both strategic and day-to-day leadership to production teams, ensuring operational excellence, workforce capability, and alignment with plant and business priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead department operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity targets
• Foster and maintain a safe work environment, ensuring compliance with all safety, environmental, and company standards
• Provide leadership and direction to production teams and supervisors, including coaching, performance management, and development
• Plan and allocate labor, equipment, and materials to meet production demand and operational priorities
• Monitor and improve equipment and process performance, including uptime, yield, and overall equipment effectiveness
• Lead resolution of operational issues through data-driven problem solving and cross-functional collaboration
• Support new product introduction, equipment installation, and start-up activities to ensure successful transition into manufacturing
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, efficiency, and cost reduction
• Manage departmental budgets, spending, and resource utilization to meet financial and operational targets
• Communicate operational performance, priorities, and risks to plant leadership and key stakeholders
• Ensure workforce readiness, staffing alignment, and capability development to meet current and future business needs

Experiences/Education - Required

• Bachelor’s degree required; Engineering or technical discipline preferred
• Minimum 5 years of manufacturing or operations experience
• Minimum 3–5 years of leadership or supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated leadership in manufacturing operations with a strong focus on safety and performance
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and motivate teams while delivering results
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills using data and operational metrics
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Effective verbal and written communication skills across all levels of the organization
• Strong organizational, planning, and execution skills
• Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement experience
• Experience supporting new product introduction, equipment start-up, or process transfers into manufacturing
• Exposure to multiple equipment platforms or manufacturing processes
• Coaching and talent development
• Accountability and performance management