What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manufacturing Production Manager position at Dakota Bodies?
Job Title: Manufacturing Manager
Position Summary
The Manufacturing Manager leads the planning, scheduling, and execution of the manufacturing operations within their value stream. They are responsible for cost-effective planning, processing, and production. This role will be the direct manager for each Shift Supervisor within their value stream. The Manufacturing Manager contributes to the success of operations by ensuring products are manufactured with uncompromised safety, highest quality, while being produced on-time, within budget.
Key Responsibilities:
Production Oversight:
Position Summary
The Manufacturing Manager leads the planning, scheduling, and execution of the manufacturing operations within their value stream. They are responsible for cost-effective planning, processing, and production. This role will be the direct manager for each Shift Supervisor within their value stream. The Manufacturing Manager contributes to the success of operations by ensuring products are manufactured with uncompromised safety, highest quality, while being produced on-time, within budget.
Key Responsibilities:
Production Oversight:
- Manage daily operations for Utility Body Components. To include delivery schedules, component builds, assembly lines, paint, and logistic requirements.
- Ensure compliance with OEM specifications, quality standards, and all regulatory requirements are met.
- Provide strategic direction and daily oversight for all plant operations to include stamping, welding, assembly, paint, material handling, quality, and SOP direction.
- Lead a diverse team of production staff - supervisors, production leads, material support, and quality.
- Recruit, develop, and retain top talent through coaching, mentoring, performance reviews, and succession planning.
- Build a culture of accountability, teamwork, engagement, and continuous improvement.
- Promote a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement across all shifts.
- Implement lean manufacturing and Six Sigma principles to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
- Drive automation and advanced manufacturing technologies to enhance productivity.
- Collaborate with Quality and Engineering teams to resolve issues and maintain zero-defect standards.
- Drive continuous reduction of defects and rework through effective problem-solving methodologies (5 Why, FMEA, Control plans, etc.).
- Ensure robust quality gates and audit processes are in place throughout the production lines, weld stations, and paint system.
- Champion a safety-first culture and ensure compliance with the OSHA, EPA, and corporate environmental and safety policies.
- Oversee incident investigations, root-cause analysis, and implementation of preventive measures.
- Lead hazard assessments and ensure proper training and certification for all employees.
- Manage labor allocation, equipment utilization, and material flow to optimize costs.
- Prepare and monitor departmental budgets and cost-saving initiatives.
- Drive Lean initiatives such as Kaizen events, 5S, Standard Work, TPM, and Waste Elimination.
- Support new product launches and ensure smooth integration into production lines.
- Partner with engineering to implement new technologies, equipment upgrades, and process enhancements.
- Lead process improvement efforts to enhance throughput, product quality, and cost competitiveness.
- Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline.
- 10 years of experience in manufacturing, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
- Demonstrated success managing large manufacturing operations (150 employees)
- Strong knowledge of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and quality systems.
- Proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience with high-volume weld, assembly, and component manufacturing.
- Familiarity with APQP, PPAP, and FMEA processes.
- Ability to manage budgets and analyze operational performance metrics.
