What are the responsibilities and job description for the Production Manager position at Axalta?
Job Title: Production Manager
Axalta has remained at the forefront of the coatings industry by continually investing in innovative solutions. We engineer technologies that protect customers’ products – whether they are battling heat, light, corrosion, abrasion, moisture, or chemicals – and add dimension and beauty with colourful finishes. We have a vast and ever-evolving portfolio of brands primed to play an important part in everything from modernizing infrastructure around the world to enabling the next generation of electric and autonomous vehicles.
Job Summary
The Production Manager is responsible for leading all Waterborne Manufacturing operations within a paint and coatings production facility, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective production while meeting quality, delivery, customer service, and financial objectives. This role oversees Production Supervisors and operators, drives execution of the production schedule, and is accountable for operational performance, workforce development, and continuous improvement. The successful candidate must be a hands-on leader who understands customer demand and aligns labor, equipment, and resources to meet business requirements. This individual serves as the backup for Production Supervisors when needed and ensures contingency plans and leadership coverage are in place to maintain uninterrupted operations. The Production Manager is expected to maintain a strong presence on the production floor, establish clear expectations, drive accountability, and take ownership of results until the work is completed.
Beyond day-to-day operations, this role is responsible for developing talent, building a high-performing team, and driving a culture of ownership, teamwork, urgency, and continuous improvement. The Production Manager partners closely with Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Engineering, Warehouse, and EHS teams to improve productivity, reduce waste, optimize costs, and support the long-term success of the operation.
Key Responsibilities
Axalta operates its business in two segments: Performance Coatings and Mobility Coatings, which serve four end markets, including Refinish, Industrial, Light Vehicle and Commercial Vehicle, across North America, EMEA, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Our diverse global footprint allows us to deliver solutions in over 140 countries and coat 30 million vehicles per year. We’ve recently set an exciting 2040 carbon neutrality goal, in addition to 10 other sustainability initiatives, and we take pride in working with our customers to optimize their businesses and achieve their goals.
Our Company
Axalta has remained at the forefront of the coatings industry by continually investing in innovative solutions. We engineer technologies that protect customers’ products – whether they are battling heat, light, corrosion, abrasion, moisture, or chemicals – and add dimension and beauty with colorful finishes. We have a vast and ever-evolving portfolio of brands primed to play an important part in everything from modernizing infrastructure around the world to enabling the next generation of electric and autonomous vehicles.
Axalta operates its business in two segments: Performance Coatings and Mobility Coatings, which serve four end markets, including Refinish, Industrial, Light Vehicle and Commercial Vehicle, across North America, EMEA, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Our diverse global footprint allows us to deliver solutions in over 140 countries and coat 30 million vehicles per year. We’ve recently set an exciting 2040 carbon neutrality goal, in addition to 10 other sustainability initiatives, and we take pride in working with our customers to optimize their businesses and achieve their goals.
Axalta may use technology-assisted tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to support certain aspects of the recruitment and selection process. These tools may be used to help manage applications, identify job-related qualifications, and assist recruiter review. All hiring decisions involve human oversight and review.
Recruitment Fraud Alert: We take candidate safety seriously. If you believe you’ve encountered a fraudulent job posting claiming to represent our company, please include a link or screenshot and report it to TA-Support-Center@axalta.com.
1.2 - First/Mid Level Officials and Managers (EEO-1 Job Categories-United States of America)
Axalta has remained at the forefront of the coatings industry by continually investing in innovative solutions. We engineer technologies that protect customers’ products – whether they are battling heat, light, corrosion, abrasion, moisture, or chemicals – and add dimension and beauty with colourful finishes. We have a vast and ever-evolving portfolio of brands primed to play an important part in everything from modernizing infrastructure around the world to enabling the next generation of electric and autonomous vehicles.
Job Summary
The Production Manager is responsible for leading all Waterborne Manufacturing operations within a paint and coatings production facility, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective production while meeting quality, delivery, customer service, and financial objectives. This role oversees Production Supervisors and operators, drives execution of the production schedule, and is accountable for operational performance, workforce development, and continuous improvement. The successful candidate must be a hands-on leader who understands customer demand and aligns labor, equipment, and resources to meet business requirements. This individual serves as the backup for Production Supervisors when needed and ensures contingency plans and leadership coverage are in place to maintain uninterrupted operations. The Production Manager is expected to maintain a strong presence on the production floor, establish clear expectations, drive accountability, and take ownership of results until the work is completed.
Beyond day-to-day operations, this role is responsible for developing talent, building a high-performing team, and driving a culture of ownership, teamwork, urgency, and continuous improvement. The Production Manager partners closely with Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Engineering, Warehouse, and EHS teams to improve productivity, reduce waste, optimize costs, and support the long-term success of the operation.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead daily manufacturing operations across multiple shifts.
- Execute production schedules to meet customer service, quality, and delivery requirements.
- Allocate labor, equipment, and resources to maximize safety, productivity, and efficiency.
- Provide leadership, coaching, and development for Production Supervisors and operators.
- Serve as the operational backup for supervisors and ensure appropriate coverage plans are in place.
- Monitor and improve KPIs including productivity, schedule adherence, OEE, RFT, yield, and cost performance.
- Drive Lean Manufacturing, 5S, waste reduction, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to resolve operational issues and improve plant performance.
- Develop and execute plans to improve capacity, efficiency, reliability, and operational performance.
- Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, safety, and operational excellence.
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or related field preferred.
- 5 years of progressive production background in a manufacturing environment, preferably paint, coatings, chemicals, or process manufacturing.
- Leadership experience.
- Strong knowledge of batch manufacturing processes, safety programs, quality systems, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Proven leadership, problem-solving, communication, and team development skills.
- Experience with SAP ERP systems and production planning processes.
Axalta operates its business in two segments: Performance Coatings and Mobility Coatings, which serve four end markets, including Refinish, Industrial, Light Vehicle and Commercial Vehicle, across North America, EMEA, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Our diverse global footprint allows us to deliver solutions in over 140 countries and coat 30 million vehicles per year. We’ve recently set an exciting 2040 carbon neutrality goal, in addition to 10 other sustainability initiatives, and we take pride in working with our customers to optimize their businesses and achieve their goals.
Our Company
Axalta has remained at the forefront of the coatings industry by continually investing in innovative solutions. We engineer technologies that protect customers’ products – whether they are battling heat, light, corrosion, abrasion, moisture, or chemicals – and add dimension and beauty with colorful finishes. We have a vast and ever-evolving portfolio of brands primed to play an important part in everything from modernizing infrastructure around the world to enabling the next generation of electric and autonomous vehicles.
Axalta operates its business in two segments: Performance Coatings and Mobility Coatings, which serve four end markets, including Refinish, Industrial, Light Vehicle and Commercial Vehicle, across North America, EMEA, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Our diverse global footprint allows us to deliver solutions in over 140 countries and coat 30 million vehicles per year. We’ve recently set an exciting 2040 carbon neutrality goal, in addition to 10 other sustainability initiatives, and we take pride in working with our customers to optimize their businesses and achieve their goals.
Axalta may use technology-assisted tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to support certain aspects of the recruitment and selection process. These tools may be used to help manage applications, identify job-related qualifications, and assist recruiter review. All hiring decisions involve human oversight and review.
Recruitment Fraud Alert: We take candidate safety seriously. If you believe you’ve encountered a fraudulent job posting claiming to represent our company, please include a link or screenshot and report it to TA-Support-Center@axalta.com.
1.2 - First/Mid Level Officials and Managers (EEO-1 Job Categories-United States of America)