What are the responsibilities and job description for the Production Manager position at STQ Partners?
Production Manager - Manufacturing
Location: Buffalo, NY
Employment Type: Full-time
Why Work With Us?
We are a leading, innovation-driven specialty materials company focused on battery technologies, filtration media, and specialty insulation and sealing materials. Through global reach and breakthrough inventions, we deliver products that help the world breathe easier, live greener, and go further than ever before.
With a network of manufacturing facilities and a global workforce of highly skilled professionals, we offer dynamic career opportunities for individuals ready to contribute to operational excellence and innovation.
About the Role:
The Production Manager will lead manufacturing operations at our Tonawanda, NY plant. This role is responsible for achieving facility goals while meeting product specifications, quality standards, productivity targets, maintenance objectives, housekeeping, and safety requirements.
The Production Manager will guide and develop Shift Supervisors, fostering a high-performing culture focused on operational excellence, continuous improvement, and employee engagement. This role collaborates closely with QA, HR, Accounting, Product Management, and Engineering teams.
Reports to: Plant Manager
Key Responsibilities:
Safety and Compliance
• Champion a zero-accident culture and ensure compliance with all HSEQ regulations.
• Promote proactive safety leadership and employee participation in safety initiatives.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment.
Operational Excellence
• Achieve production, yield, and delivery targets while optimizing costs and resources.
• Ensure quality standards are met and exceed customer expectations.
• Maintain inventory levels to support operational requirements.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, reliability, and sustainability.
Leadership and Team Development
• Lead, coach, and develop Shift Supervisors and Team Leads.
• Foster engagement, teamwork, and accountability.
• Conduct regular one-on-one coaching and annual performance reviews.
• Support succession planning and future leader development.
Strategic and Continuous Improvement
• Develop and execute strategic plans to strengthen operations and support business growth.
• Identify process improvements, cost-saving initiatives, and waste reduction opportunities.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to align operational priorities with business objectives.
Collaboration and Communication
• Maintain effective communication with internal stakeholders.
• Support customer interactions to ensure operational readiness and satisfaction.
• Partner with HR on workforce planning, employee relations, and engagement initiatives.
Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Management, Manufacturing, Business, or a related field (technical degree preferred).
• 7-10 years of relevant experience, including 5 years in a manufacturing/engineering supervisory role in a continuous process environment.
• Demonstrated leadership in building high-performing teams and fostering a culture of accountability.
• Proficient in adaptive coaching and communication skills.
Competencies:
• Strategic and analytical thinker focused on long-term performance improvement.
• Strong coach and mentor capable of developing accountability and capability at all levels.
• Committed to safety, quality, and delivery excellence.
• Collaborative, solutions-oriented communicator.
Diversity and Inclusion Statement:
We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are made without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected class.