Job Summary
The Production Manager oversees all Hardware Operations, directing and coordinating daily activities at the Blum and Whitney plants to maximize efficiency, productivity, and cost-effectiveness. This role ensures production schedules are met, products are delivered on time, and processes are continuously improved—all within a safe, compliant, and high-performing work environment.
Reports To: Director, Manufacturing
Supervisory Scope
Leads, develops, and mentors a team of supervisors, shift leads, and 80+ hourly employees across three shifts.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Development
Serve as the primary local representative for the company.
Build and maintain a high-performing, stable workforce across all shifts.
Organize teams to optimize skills, placing individuals in roles that set them up for success.
Foster a culture of safety, urgency, and alignment with company core values.
Production Oversight
Collaborate with management, engineering, shop floor, and other departments to address manufacturing capabilities, safety, quality, and operational issues.
Plan, organize, and execute production to meet monthly volume and margin forecasts.
Ensure CNC machining programs (Multi-task Mill-Turn Centers, CNC Lathes, CNC Mills, Laser Cutting Machines) are created, maintained, and optimized.
Provide hands-on support during program introduction, troubleshooting, and productivity improvement.
Operational Excellence
Drive process reliability and continuous improvement initiatives (5S, on-time delivery, DE CI Program).
Monitor operations against budget, ensuring cost competitiveness and productivity gains.
Lead safety, quality, environmental, and efficiency improvement efforts.
Contribute to timely and accurate reporting for leadership review.
Continuous Improvement
Apply root cause and breakdown analysis to resolve operational challenges.
Implement corrective actions that deliver sustainable results.
Support cross-functional teams in incident investigation, corrective action, and new product implementation.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree preferred (equivalent experience considered).
Minimum 5 years in manufacturing, preferably in a labor-intensive, high mix/high volume assembly environment.
Green Belt certification required.
Strong knowledge of production planning, resource allocation, safety, quality, inventory management, and cost control.
Proven leadership skills with the ability to create accountability and lead by example.
Hands-on CNC machining experience required; automated/semi-automated component manufacturing experience preferred.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and ERP/MRP systems.
Strong analytical skills to address BOM errors, variances, and standard cost input.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills across all organizational levels.
Highly organized, proactive, and adaptable in a fast-paced, global environment.