Production Manager - Manufacturing Operations in Springfield

Job DescriptionJob Description

Production Manager - Manufacturing Operations

An established manufacturing company is seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead day-to-day operations across a fast-paced metal fabrication facility. This is a highly visible leadership role responsible for driving operational excellence, improving productivity, developing high-performing teams, and ensuring outstanding quality, safety, and on-time delivery.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on manufacturing leader with a strong background in metal fabrication, Lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement who enjoys being on the production floor and working closely with operations teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of manufacturing operations, including production, quality, maintenance, scheduling, safety, and workforce development.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing initiatives to improve productivity, reduce waste, increase throughput, and enhance overall operational performance.
• Optimize production planning, labor utilization, equipment efficiency, inventory, and on-time delivery while meeting customer quality expectations.
• Coach, mentor, and develop supervisors and production teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Analyze KPIs related to safety, quality, delivery, cost, scrap, downtime, and productivity, implementing corrective actions to improve performance.
• Partner with engineering, quality, maintenance, and supply chain teams to resolve production challenges and support business growth.
• Provide hands-on technical leadership and troubleshoot complex manufacturing issues on the production floor.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of manufacturing leadership experience as a Production Manager, Operations Manager, Plant Manager, or similar leadership role.
• Strong background in metal fabrication, precision manufacturing, machining, welding, stamping, or sheet metal fabrication.
• Proven experience leading Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems, production scheduling, capacity planning, and inventory management.
• Strong working knowledge of metal fabrication processes.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to lead both management and shop floor teams.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or equivalent industry experience is highly .