Job DescriptionVICTAULIC Production Manager - Couplings and Welded SystemsCookeville, Tennessee Full-Time (Exempt) Operations YOUR IMPACT STARTS HERE We're looking for a Production Manager - Couplings and Welded Systems to join our Operations team in Cookeville, Tennessee. In this role, you'll own daily production execution for material handling, cutting, and grooving operations within our PreFabrication area, providing direct leadership to First and Second Shift Supervisors and hourly production employees while owning, tracking, and improving the area's core KPIs. You'll work closely with Operations, Planning, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to keep throughput, quality, and schedule adherence on track across both shifts. This is an opportunity to lead a high-accountability production area where your floor presence and KPI ownership directly shape results.
WHAT YOU'LL BUILD & OWN - Own daily production execution for material handling, cutting, and grooving operations within PreFabrication.
- Ensure consistent throughput, quality, and schedule adherence across both shifts.
- Maintain a strong floor presence with frequent walkthroughs to observe flow, behavior, safety, and constraints.
- Ensure seamless shift-to-shift handoff with no loss of accountability, data, or priorities.
- Enforce standard work, job setups, material flow requirements, and process discipline.
- Own core KPIs for Cutting & Grooving - First Pass Yield, Cycle Time, Daily Throughput, Downtime, Labor Efficiency, Rework & Scrap, and WIP - reviewing them daily on the floor and weekly with Operations leadership.
- Assign KPI sub-ownership to Supervisors and drive corrective actions when metrics miss target.
- Provide direct leadership to First and Second Shift Supervisors and hourly production employees, leading structured daily huddles with documented follow-up.
- Conduct regular one-on-ones with Supervisors focused on KPI ownership, decision-making, and leadership growth.
- Partner with HR and Operations leadership on hiring, onboarding, performance management, and succession planning.
- Own quality discipline prior to downstream fabrication, partnering with QA and Engineering to resolve repeat defects.
- Identify production constraints and lead targeted improvement initiatives with defined scope and measurable outcomes.
- Drive level loading strategies across shifts to reduce WIP and improve flow, standardizing improvements so they hold independent of supervisor or shift.
WHAT YOU BRING - 5-8+ years of experience in manufacturing or fabrication operations.
- 3+ years of direct people leadership experience, including multi-shift environments.
- Working knowledge of material handling systems, cutting, and profiling/grooving processes.
- Demonstrated ability to own KPIs and drive measurable improvement.
- Strong floor presence, with willingness to conduct frequent walkthroughs across both shifts.
- Ability to work in an operational manufacturing environment with required PPE compliance.
WHAT SETS YOU APART - Bachelor's degree in Operations, Engineering, or a related field.
- Lean / continuous improvement experience.
- Experience operating in KPI-driven, high-accountability environments.
- Experience partnering cross-functionally with Planning, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to execute improvement plans.
WHAT WE OFFER Build A Better Career- Competitive compensation with performance-based incentives
- Career development programs and internal promotion pathways-we build from within
- Tuition reimbursement and continuous learning opportunities
Build A Better Future - Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
- Retirement savings plans with company match
- Life insurance and disability coverage
Build A Better You - Paid time off, holidays, and flexible work arrangements where applicable
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and wellness resources
- Inclusive, team-oriented culture where people look out for one another
Build A Better World Join a company whose products contribute to a safer, more sustainable built environment every day.
IMMIGRATION SPONSORSHIP Victaulic does not provide immigration sponsorship (e.g., H-1B, TN, or other work visa sponsorship) for this position. All applicants must be currently authorized to work in the applicable country on a full-time basis without the need for employer-sponsored immigration support now or in the future.
