Production Manager

Job Purpose

The Production Manager is responsible for leading all manufacturing and operational activities at the Wayland site to ensure safe, efficient, and on-time delivery of products to customers.

The role defines and manages the production plan, organizes resources, ensures the achievement of committed production volumes, and leads the site continuous improvement roadmap. The Production Manager is accountable for improving safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost, and manufacturing lead time by deploying Lean Manufacturing principles, structured problem-solving, and data-driven performance management. The position ensures that production resources, equipment, processes, and manufacturing capabilities are aligned to meet customer commitments and business objectives.

As a key member of the site leadership team, the Production Manager drives operational performance while fostering collaboration with international colleagues and customers across the Compin Fainsa Group. Experience working with European teams and customers is highly valued.

Key Responsibilities Production Planning & Execution

· Define the site production strategy and short-, medium-, and long-term production plans.

· Ensure production schedules are aligned with customer demand and available capacity.

· Lead daily manufacturing operations to achieve delivery commitments, quality objectives, and productivity targets.

· Monitor operational performance and implement corrective actions when required.

· Ensure effective allocation and utilization of production resources.

· Drive adherence to production schedules and manufacturing priorities.

Resource Management

· Organize labor, equipment, and manufacturing resources to maximize efficiency, flexibility, and output.

· Develop workforce capabilities through coaching, training, and performance management.

· Promote employee engagement, accountability, and a culture of continuous improvement.

· Anticipate staffing requirements and support recruitment initiatives when necessary.

· Ensure production teams have the skills and resources required to meet operational objectives.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

· Define and deploy the Wayland site continuous improvement roadmap in alignment with business priorities and operational targets.

· Implement Lean Manufacturing principles and tools, including 5S, visual management, standard work, value-stream analysis, daily performance management, and waste reduction.

· Lead structured problem-solving and root-cause analysis for recurring safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost issues; ensure corrective actions are implemented and sustained.

· Establish operational standards, performance baselines, and measurable improvement targets for production areas.

· Use operational data and KPIs to identify losses, prioritize improvement opportunities, and monitor the effectiveness of actions.

· Lead cross-functional improvement projects to reduce manufacturing lead time, improve labor efficiency, increase equipment utilization, and reduce scrap and rework.

· Engage, coach, and empower production teams to identify improvement opportunities and participate actively in Kaizen activities.

· Ensure successful improvements are standardized, documented, communicated, and replicated across relevant production areas.

· Share best practices and coordinate improvement initiatives with Compin Fainsa colleagues at other sites, including European teams.

· Support industrialization, process robustness, and operational scalability for new products and business growth.

Cross-Functional Leadership

· Work closely with Supply Chain, Purchasing, Quality, Engineering, Customer Service, and Finance teams.

· Ensure production risks and resource constraints are identified early and communicated appropriately.

· Participate in strategic planning and operational reviews with site leadership.

· Ensure alignment between customer expectations and operational execution.

· Contribute to business growth and operational scalability.

Health, Safety & Compliance

· Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.

· Ensure manufacturing processes comply with company policies, quality standards, and customer requirements.

· Lead by example in maintaining a safe, organized, and efficient working environment.

Required Qualifications & Experience

· Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field.

· Minimum 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing or industrial operations.

· Proven experience managing production planning and manufacturing teams.

· Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, capacity planning, and operational performance management.

· Experience in a make-to-order and project-driven industrial environment.

· Experience in the railway, transportation, aerospace, or another highly regulated industry is preferred.

· Experience working with European colleagues, customers, or multinational organizations is highly desirable.

· Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems (INFOR LN is a plus) and production planning processes.

Skills & Competencies

· Production planning and execution.

· Leadership and team development.

· Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement.

· Strong facilitation, change-management, and structured problem-solving capabilities.

· Operational problem solving and decision making.

· Capacity and resource planning.

· Financial awareness and cost management.

· Strong communication and stakeholder management.

· Ability to work effectively in an international and multicultural environment.

· Results orientation and strong customer focus.

Performance Indicators

· On-Time Delivery (OTD).

· Production volume achievement versus plan.

· Direct labor efficiency.

· Productivity, including hours per unit and standard-hours attainment.

· Manufacturing lead time.

· Capacity utilization.

· Safety performance.

· Quality performance, including scrap, rework, and customer complaints.

· Continuous improvement project delivery, validated savings, and sustained operational gains.

· Employee turnover and absenteeism.

Pay: $63,081.52 - $75,969.13 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) 4% Match
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person