Production Manager - ManufacturingLocation: Newark, NJ
Salary: $115K-$145K
Job SummaryA leading manufacturing company is seeking an experienced Production Manager to oversee daily manufacturing operations at a large production facility in Newark, NJ.
This position is responsible for leading production across multiple shifts while ensuring safety, quality, productivity, staffing, cost control, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate is a strong people leader who can build trust with frontline teams, make sound decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, and drive accountability and operational excellence.
The Production Manager will work closely with manufacturing, maintenance, quality, HR, and other cross-functional teams and will report to the Senior Manufacturing Manager.
Key Responsibilities- Lead day-to-day manufacturing operations across multiple shifts, including production planning, batch manufacturing, packaging, maintenance coordination, quality, and shipping/receiving.
- Lead and develop production teams, typically overseeing 2-4 direct reports and approximately 30-120 indirect employees.
- Establish clear expectations and hold teams accountable for safety, quality, productivity, and operational performance.
- Maintain appropriate staffing levels and coordinate recruiting, scheduling, overtime, and workforce planning based on production demands.
- Partner with Maintenance and other departments to troubleshoot equipment and production issues, remove roadblocks, and minimize downtime.
- Ensure compliance with all environmental, health, safety, security, and regulatory requirements.
- Drive a strong safety culture by communicating expectations, conducting audits, addressing concerns, and coaching employees.
- Ensure consistent product quality and adherence to established production and quality procedures.
- Monitor department performance, costs, productivity, and key performance indicators; identify opportunities for improvement.
- Utilize Lean, 5S, and Continuous Improvement methodologies to improve processes, efficiency, and overall plant performance.
- Develop, review, and update work instructions and procedures to support consistent production performance.
- Coach, mentor, and develop employees and frontline leaders while promoting a culture of trust, collaboration, transparency, accountability, and respect.
- Address employee relations issues and facilitate conflict resolution in partnership with HR.
- Encourage employees to identify and implement ideas that improve safety, quality, efficiency, and productivity.
- Make timely decisions and effectively respond to production challenges in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Manage hazardous and non-hazardous waste in accordance with applicable regulations.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree required; Engineering or another technical discipline preferred.
- 6+ years of production/plant management experience preferred, with demonstrated responsibility for manufacturing operations.
- Strong experience leading large production teams in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience managing operations across multiple shifts.
- Demonstrated knowledge of production, staffing, maintenance coordination, quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
- Experience with Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and process improvement methodologies.
- Strong employee relations and conflict-resolution skills.
- Proven ability to coach, develop, motivate, and hold employees accountable.
- Strong communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a matrixed organization and collaborate with employees and leaders at all levels.
- Strong understanding of workplace safety and environmental compliance.
- Ability to adapt to changing production demands and prioritize competing business needs.
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