Senior Production Manager

The Senior Production Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of manufacturing operations to ensure capacity is in place to meet customer demand and meet daily, weekly, and monthly KPIs. This role ensures production efficiency, product quality, and workplace safety through the application of Kaizen methodology, and data-driven decision-making. The ideal candidate will be a hands-on leader who drives continuous improvement, empowers teams, and builds a culture of operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day production operations across multiple manufacturing lines, ensuring achievement of production goals related to safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity.
• Implement and sustain Kaizen initiatives focused on waste reduction, process improvement, and productivity gains.
• Facilitate regular Kaizen events, Gemba walks, and root cause analysis to identify and eliminate inefficiencies and maintain a high standard followed for 5S.
• Collaborate with engineering, supply chain, and quality teams to enhance manufacturability, reduce lead times, and optimize resource utilization.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track production performance and drive accountability. Ensure team members are being cross-trained, and the training matrix is updated regularly.
• Foster a culture of employee engagement, problem-solving, and continuous learning throughout the production workforce.
• Ensure adherence to ISO, safety, and environmental standards while maintaining compliance with company policies and industry regulations.
• Support new product introductions (NPI) through effective coordination with design and process engineering teams.
• Manage production budgets, capacity planning, and workforce allocation to meet customer demand efficiently.
• Coach and mentor production supervisors and team leads to strengthen leadership capability and operational discipline.
• Ensure standards and work instructions are developed for every process; audit regularly that standard work is being performed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering, or related field preferred.
• 10 years of progressive experience in manufacturing management, preferably in industrial equipment or automotive-related production environments.
• Proven success implementing Kaizen or Continuous Improvement programs that achieve measurable performance improvements.
• Strong understanding of production planning, capacity management, and workflow optimization. Ability to flex manpower where needed in alignment with TPS.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and team development skills.
• Data-driven mindset with experience using production metrics and visual management tools.
• Proficient in SAP & ERP systems and manufacturing software tools.
• Experience and understanding of TPS and the Toyota way, capacity planning, manpower planning, and flexible workforce.