What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manufacturing Manager - Cooler Production Operations position at AKG of America?
Description
Position Summary
The Production Manager - Cooler Manufacturing Operations is responsible for leading multiple production departments to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing performance. This role provides strategic and hands-on leadership to frontline supervisors and production teams, driving operational excellence, continuous improvement, and alignment with business objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
Required:
Position Summary
The Production Manager - Cooler Manufacturing Operations is responsible for leading multiple production departments to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing performance. This role provides strategic and hands-on leadership to frontline supervisors and production teams, driving operational excellence, continuous improvement, and alignment with business objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
- Lead daily operations across multiple manufacturing departments (Fin/Profile, Core Assembly, CAB, Weld Preparation and Cooler or similar functions)
- Ensure production targets, quality standards, and delivery schedules are consistently met
- Make real-time operational decisions to optimize safety, efficiency, and output
- Monitor and adjust staffing, scheduling, and workflow to meet production demands
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of supervisors and production employees
- Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement
- Conduct performance reviews, set goals, and support employee development
- Partner with HR on hiring, employee relations, and workforce planning
- Oversee production metrics, reporting, and performance tracking
- Manage a low volume and high mix production schedule within SAP environment
- Lead daily production meetings and communicate priorities across teams
- Ensure accurate timekeeping, staffing alignment, and labor efficiency
- Identify and implement process improvements, cost reductions, and waste elimination
- Drive operational efficiency through data analysis and problem-solving
- Support lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives
- Ensure compliance with company policies, safety standards, and environmental requirements
- Promote a strong safety culture and ensure proper use of PPE and equipment
Required:
- 7–10 years of manufacturing experience, with at least 3–5 years in a leadership role (Manager, or equivalent)
- Experience leading multiple production areas or departments in a manufacturing environment – Heat exchanger manufacturing experience preferred
- Strong leadership, communication, and team development skills
- Ability to analyze production data and drive performance improvements
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and manufacturing systems (ERP/MRP SAP preferred)
- Ability to read and interpret technical drawings or blueprints
- Experience in heavy manufacturing, industrial production, or engineered products - Heat exchanger manufacturing experience preferred
- Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience
- Experience managing low volume high mix production environments
- Manufacturing and warehouse environment
- Ability to walk the production floor regularly and engage with teams
- Occasional lifting (up to 50 lbs) and use of standard industrial equipment
- Required use of PPE (steel toe shoes, safety glasses, hearing protection)
- This role requires flexibility to support multiple shifts as needed
- Regular on-site presence is essential to lead and support operations
- Responsibilities may evolve based on business needs