Sr. Manager of ProductionAppleton, WI
Summary:The Manager of Production is responsible for the strategic and operational performance of multiple production areas of a large, complex operation. This position provides advanced leadership in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people development while driving operational execution and long-term continuous improvement initiatives.
This position will partner closely with Operations, Design, Quality, Sales, and Commercial leaders to align manufacturing execution with business strategy, customer commitments, and growth objectives. This role provides direct leadership, guidance, and alignment to Area Managers and Production Supervisors to ensure consistent execution, accountability, and performance across production areas.
Key Responsibilities:- Leads production areas to achieve site objectives for safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and production output.
- Aligns Area Managers, Production Supervisors, and employees around business priorities, performance expectations, and individual accountability.
- Provides leadership direction and support to ensure consistent execution of production plans, standard work, and operational priorities across production areas.
- Monitors performance results, identifies gaps, and drives documented corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Manages production schedule performance, staffing needs, capacity constraints, and workflow in a complex multi-step manufacturing operation.
- Communicates regularly with plant employees and the leadership team regarding performance objectives, results, successes, challenges, and changing priorities.
- Promotes a culture where safety, quality, standardized systems, creativity, and continuous improvement work together to deliver consistent results.
- Recognizes strong performance and addresses performance gaps through coaching, accountability, and appropriate corrective action.
- Coaches and develops the production leadership team to strengthen leadership capability, career growth, and succession readiness.
Minimum Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field required; equivalent manufacturing leadership experience may be considered where applicable.
- Minimum of 7 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in a complex production or industrial manufacturing environment.
- Experience leading supervisors, area leaders, or multi-shift production teams with accountability for safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and output.
- Demonstrated ability to drive operational execution, structured problem solving, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Standout Qualifications:- Strong leadership presence with the ability to align teams, communicate priorities, and drive accountability across multiple production areas.
- Experience managing production schedules, staffing needs, capacity constraints, and workflow in a multi-step manufacturing operation.
- Proven ability to lead change, manage projects, and sustain process improvements across cross-functional teams.
- Strong interpersonal, coaching, and people management skills, with experience developing supervisors or production leaders.
- Experience working in a union manufacturing environment preferred.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP systems, such as SAP; experience using operational performance metrics, dashboards, or reporting systems preferred.
Physical Requirements:- Work is performed in a heavy industrial environment with exposure to noise, heat, and moving machinery.
- Must be able to stand, walk, and move throughout the production area for extended periods.
- PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) must be worn as required.
* This job description is not all encompassing; however, it is intended to be a general description of the responsibilities of this position.
