Production Manager

Job Title: Production Manager

FLSA Status: Salaried – Exempt

Location: Onsite LaVergne, TN

Job Summary:

The Production Manager will be responsible for leading production shifts and driving manufacturing operations to realize the business strategy. The Production Manager will oversee the daily activities of production by managing workload and on-time delivery, workflow and coverage, employee training, performance and engagement, and compliance and safety.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Yes

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Leads and sets direction for the production team to maximize output and minimize costs.
• Manages group activities to meet production goals in safety, environmental performance, quality, on-time delivery, and production rates.
• Collaborates with senior members of management to set and execute production strategy.
• Develops and implements organizational and individual metrics, goals, and objectives aligned to SFX to include short-term and strategic objectives.
• Accountable for developing and assuring compliance with site-standard operating procedures (SOPs) along with defining the training requirements for operations employees.
• Accountable for attaining production metrics along with driving productivity initiatives focused on improving overall equipment effectiveness and reducing plant operating costs. Provides leadership and resources required to meet improvement goals.
• Effectively develops teams that can achieve corporate improvement objectives.
• Creates a work environment which promotes safety and quality while adhering to all regulated environmental guidelines.
• Drives best practice through the organization and leads the implementation of improvement in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Provides career development and guidance for direct reports and oversees the training needs of employees in the production group.
• Use production boards to keep employees enlightened and informed of the department’s performance against standards, working with them to reach their goals.
• Other production/management duties as necessary.
• Ensures we meet 100% SLA daily.
• Supervises the daily workload, employees, and the daily workflow from setup to completion. Collaborates with leadership to ensure adequate coverage and disbursement of work across the team.
• Responsible for onboarding new-hires and providing ongoing employee coaching and training. Identifies employee gaps and executes performance improvement plans to resolve them. Determines cross-functional training limitations and expands the team’s capabilities to reduce business risk.
• Proactively communicates with team members (including direct reports, peers, and management) and provides honest, thoughtful, and constructive feedback. Escalates employee issues to leadership and Human Resources.
• Assists in printing, inserting, metering, folding/cutting, inbound mail scanning and handwork activities to meet service level agreements.
• Adheres to standard operating procedures in all operations and activities.
• Initiates the investigation of production issues and works with leadership to resolve and implement corrective and preventative actions.
• Monitors and enforces safety requirements and is an active member of the Safety Team
• Ability to fill in for leadership as needed.
• Maintains a neat and orderly facility, conducts periodic inventory counts, and monitors stock levels and reorder points.
• Acts as liaison between production operations and the client services team.
• Organizes incoming work for printers and inserters, pulls and stages materials for operators, manages changes and expedites on jobs in production, and completes quality sign-offs on print production before and after insertion.
• Creates, monitors and follows IT and machine maintenance tickets through to completion to maximize throughput and uptime.
• Oversees dropout and reprint processes to ensure proper reconciliation on all mailings.
• Prepares mail for nightly pickup.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Self-starter with a proven ability to lead and manage a diverse team including fostering teamwork, motivating others, initiating cultural change and coaching others to improve their skills, inside and outside the role’s span of control.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with all levels of employees throughout the organization with proven negotiation skills.
• Ability to build, utilize, and motivate teams to resolve complex problems and improve processes.
• Ability to influence and drive change.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Thorough understanding of purchasing procedures and policies.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Education and Experience:

• College graduates preferred or professional-level experience within field.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in production, preferably with a paper/printing machine focus.
• Manufacturing experience with the technical and leadership expertise required to accomplish the job, preferably within the printing or direct mail industry.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to work under pressure in a deadline-driven, customer-focused environment.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 lbs.

Safety:

• Support workplace safety and abide by OSHA policies, procedures, and instructions. Report hazards and injuries and seek advice on safe work practices.