Position Title: Senior Production Manager
location: Greenfield, MA
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Under minimal direction, the Senior Production Manager leads and manages all production operations for the Greenfield manufacturing facility. This role is responsible for ensuring production activities are conducted safely, efficiently, and in compliance with all manufacturing and quality standards while meeting operational, financial, and customer service objectives.
The Senior Production Manager is accountable for the overall performance of Production, providing strategic and day-to-day leadership to achieve Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, and People (SQCDP) objectives. This position develops and executes production strategies, optimizes manufacturing performance, drives continuous improvement initiatives, and develops a high-performing production leadership team.
Working collaboratively with Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Human Resources, and other functional leaders, the Senior Production Manager ensures production resources, staffing, and manufacturing processes are aligned to meet customer demand and business objectives.
This position reports directly to the Site Leader and communicates regularly on production performance, operational risks, continuous improvement initiatives, and strategic priorities.
responsibilities:
Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Leadership & Strategy
- Assist Site Leadership in the development and execution of short- and long-range operational strategies, policies, programs, and objectives affecting manufacturing operations.
- Provide leadership, coaching, support, and direction to Production Managers, Production Supervisors, and production employees.
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, employee engagement, and operational excellence.
- Develop future manufacturing leaders through coaching, succession planning, and employee development initiatives.
Production Operations
- Lead all production operations to achieve Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, and People objectives.
- Ensure production schedules, staffing requirements, and manufacturing resources maximize productivity, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
- Monitor and analyze operational performance through key performance indicators and implement corrective actions as necessary.
- Ensure adherence to operating procedures, standard work, and company policies.
- Drive improvements in throughput, labor utilization, productivity, and manufacturing efficiency.
Safety & Quality
- Ensure all production activities are conducted in compliance with company safety policies and regulatory requirements.
- Promote a proactive safety culture and ensure corrective actions are implemented to reduce risk.
- Partner with Quality to ensure products consistently meet customer specifications and company quality standards.
- Lead root cause investigations and corrective action activities related to production performance, quality, and safety.
Operational Excellence
- Champion Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence initiatives throughout Production.
- Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing processes, workflow, equipment utilization, and overall operational performance.
- Lead and support cross-functional improvement projects that enhance productivity, reduce waste, and improve customer service.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner closely with Maintenance to maximize equipment reliability and minimize production downtime.
- Collaborate with Engineering on process improvements, equipment upgrades, capital projects, and manufacturing optimization.
- Work closely with Supply Chain, Planning, Human Resources, Finance, Quality, and other departments to ensure alignment with business objectives.
- Communicate production performance, operational risks, and improvement initiatives across the business.
Financial & Administrative
- Manage production labor budgets and departmental operating expenses.
- Participate in annual budgeting, forecasting, and operational planning activities.
- Analyze operational variances and implement corrective actions to improve financial performance.
- Support capital planning by identifying equipment and process improvement opportunities.
Talent Management
- Recruit, develop, coach, evaluate, and retain production leadership and employees.
- Establish performance expectations and conduct regular performance reviews.
- Promote employee engagement, accountability, and a culture of continuous learning.
- Ensure staffing plans support current and future production requirements.
Additional Responsibilities
- Stay current on manufacturing technologies, industry trends, and operational best practices.
- Share best practices across the organization.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
qualifications:
Required Education & Skillsets:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
- Demonstrated success leading multi-shift manufacturing operations.
- Experience leading production teams and developing frontline leaders.
- Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Experience using operational metrics to drive business performance.
Preferred Education & Skillsets:
- Experience in plastics, chemical, or other process manufacturing environments.
- Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma training or certification.
- Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives.
- Budget development and labor planning experience.
- Master's degree or equivalent advanced experience.
