Production Manager

Production Manager – Fabrication & Lean Manufacturing

Westcan Manufacturing | Chilliwack, BC
Job type: Full-time, permanent
Salary: $78,000–$85,000 CAD annually, depending on relevant experience
Work location: On site

About Westcan

Westcan Manufacturing is a family-owned manufacturer of aluminum truck and van storage products, including partitions, shelving, drawer units, cabinets and accessories. We manufacture our own product line and sell through a distribution network.

Our high mix, low volume production environment includes shearing, CNC punching, sheet and tube laser cutting, CNC routing, forming, welding, powder coating, assembly and packaging.

We are looking for a practical, experienced Production Manager who can lead our team, strengthen production planning and turn continuous improvement ideas into measurable results.

The opportunity

Reporting directly to the owner, you will manage daily production and improve how work moves through the entire manufacturing process.

This role requires a visible presence on the production floor, strong people leadership and sound fabrication knowledge. You will balance customer requirements, available labour, machine capacity and material availability to deliver complete, quality orders on time.

We welcome applications from experienced production managers and strong fabrication supervisors ready to take the next step.

Key responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop the production team, setting clear expectations and maintaining respectful accountability.
• Plan and coordinate daily and weekly production across fabrication, finishing, assembly and packaging.
• Allocate people and equipment effectively, identify bottlenecks and address production delays.
• Apply lean manufacturing methods to improve throughput and reduce setup time, waiting, unnecessary handling, work in process, scrap and rework.
• Improve on-time delivery by coordinating priorities and identifying material shortages and capacity constraints early.
• Establish practical standard work, quality checks and operator training.
• Build employee skills and cross-training to improve flexibility and reduce dependence on individual operators.
• Use our Odoo ERP system and production data to maintain reliable work-order information and measure performance.
• Work with inventory, engineering and ownership to resolve issues affecting production.
• Coordinate maintenance requirements and support safe, organized work practices.
• Recommend improvements to tooling, fixtures, layout and equipment based on operational needs and financial value.

Required qualifications

• Demonstrated experience supervising or managing a manufacturing or fabrication team.
• Strong working knowledge of sheet metal fabrication, including drawing interpretation, process sequencing and quality requirements.
• Practical lean manufacturing experience, with examples of measurable improvements you personally helped implement and sustain.
• Experience scheduling varied, small-batch production through multiple work centers.
• Ability to identify root causes and implement practical, lasting solutions.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to coach employees, address performance concerns and build cooperation.
• Comfort using ERP systems, spreadsheets and production performance data.
• A relevant trade qualification, technical diploma, post-secondary education or equivalent practical experience.

Preferred experience

• Five or more years in manufacturing or fabrication, including two or more years in a leadership role.
• Experience in a high mix, low volume manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with CNC punching, laser cutting, press brake forming, welding, routing, powder coating or assembly.
• Experience with setup reduction, standard work, visual management, workplace organization and cross-training.
• Odoo or similar manufacturing ERP experience.
• Lean or Six Sigma training supported by practical results.

What success looks like

During your first six months, you will develop a clear understanding of our people, products and processes; establish reliable production priorities and performance measurements; and deliver improvements in selected areas.

Over time, success will mean more reliable delivery, shorter production lead times, less waste and rework, stronger employee skills and greater productive capacity.

We value a leader who listens to operators, makes decisions using facts, follows through on commitments and improves the overall flow of production.

What we offer

• A starting annual salary of $78,000–$85,000, based on relevant experience.
• A primarily Monday–Thursday production schedule, with day-shift production.
• Direct access to ownership and the opportunity to influence how the business operates.
• A varied manufacturing environment with a broad range of fabrication equipment and processes.
• The opportunity to build a stronger production system and see the results of your work.

How to apply

Apply through Indeed with your resume and a brief example of a production or lean manufacturing improvement you led. Please describe:

• The problem you were addressing.
• Your role and the changes you implemented.
• The results and how you measured them.

Shortlisted candidates will participate in a practical production-planning discussion as part of the interview process.

Westcan Manufacturing welcomes qualified applicants from all backgrounds.

Pay: $78,000.00-$85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Vision care

Work Location: In person