Overview

The Production Manager provides strategic and operational leadership for all production activities within a high-volume chemical manufacturing facility. This position is responsible for driving safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations while ensuring the highest standards of quality, service, productivity, and regulatory compliance. The Production Manager leads the development and execution of production plans that support customer demand, inventory objectives, and on-time delivery commitments. This role is accountable for manufacturing performance, workforce development, inventory management, operational excellence initiatives, and the achievement of key business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction for all production operations to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective manufacturing of company products.
• Develop and execute weekly and daily production plans to meet customer demand, inventory targets, and service level expectations.
• Lead production activities, including blending, filling, packaging, and material flow operations, to maximize throughput and operational effectiveness.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, inventory accuracy, waste reduction, and cost control.
• Oversee daily operations to ensure production performance meets or exceeds established fill-rate, service, quality, and efficiency targets.
• Serve as the inventory owner for production operations and maintain accountability for inventory accuracy, product integrity, and material management processes.
• Establish, monitor, and improve production performance metrics, operating procedures, and quality standards to support operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies and applicable local, state, and federal safety, environmental, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, and Logistics teams to optimize production schedules, resource utilization, and plant performance.
• Lead workforce planning efforts, including staffing, training, succession planning, and employee development initiatives.
• Develop and implement short-term and long-term operational strategies that align with facility goals and overall business objectives.
• Manage departmental budgets and control operating expenses through effective resource management and continuous improvement practices.
• Analyze operational and financial performance data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, engagement, innovation, and continuous improvement throughout the production organization.
• Ensure safe and healthful working conditions while maintaining a clean, organized, and efficient manufacturing environment.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide leadership, direction, and accountability for all production operations, including direct supervision of production supervisors and indirect leadership of all production employees.
• Develop, mentor, and coach supervisors and team members to improve performance, strengthen leadership capabilities, and support career development.
• Establish performance expectations, conduct performance evaluations, and create development plans for direct reports.
• Promote a positive employee relations environment through effective communication, engagement, recognition, and accountability.
• Support company affirmative action programs, diversity initiatives, and equal employment opportunity objectives.
• Lead and champion a culture focused on safety, quality, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Build organizational capability through succession planning, workforce development, and talent retention strategies.

Qualifications

Education and Formal Training:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, Industrial Technology, or a related field preferred.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, APICS, or other relevant industry certifications are preferred.

Experience:

• 7+ years of manufacturing leadership experience required.
• 5+ years of supervisory or management experience required.
• Experience in chemical manufacturing, process manufacturing, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments preferred.
• Experience with SAP or comparable ERP systems preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing production planning, inventory control, continuous improvement initiatives, and operational performance metrics.

Materials and Equipment Used:

• Manufacturing equipment, production systems, material handling equipment, standard office software, reporting tools, ERP systems, schedules, production metrics, and related operational resources.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands:

• Working conditions are typical of a chemical manufacturing environment.
• Must be able to work in non-climate-controlled environments where temperatures may exceed outside ambient conditions.
• Required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including but not limited to safety glasses, steel-toe footwear, gloves, and other required protective equipment.
• Regularly required to walk, stand, sit, climb stairs, and move throughout the manufacturing facility.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and perform duties in an active production environment.

 

We offer 100% employer paid medical plan. Other optional benefit programs are available to our employees and their families which include: 401(k) match, additional medical plans, dental, vision, flex spending account, short-term and long-term disability & life insurance coverage.