Title: Production Manager
Department: Manufacturing Management
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Liberty, SC
Reporting To: Plant Manager
Compensation: $85,000 – $105,000 / year
Shift: 2nd Shift (3:30 PM – 12:00 AM)
Position Overview:
Knowles, Cornell Dubilier is seeking a Production Manager with a strong continuous improvement mindset to lead daily manufacturing operations across our capacitor production lines. This role is an excellent opportunity for a high-performing Manufacturing or Process Engineer with 3-5 years of supervisory or management experience who has built a strong technical foundation and is ready to step into a broader people-leadership and operational ownership role.
You will be responsible for driving improvements in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity, while developing teams, stabilizing processes, and eliminating waste through Lean and Six Sigma principles. This position plays a critical role in strengthening operational discipline, standard work, and performance accountability on the shop floor.
Safety & Culture
- Champion a strong culture of safety, ensuring all employees follow company safety policies, procedures, and standard work
- Lead by example through visible presence on the floor and proactive risk identification.
Operational Leadership
- Lead day-to-day production activities to meet output, quality, delivery, and cost targets.
- Monitor production lines, staffing, and resources to ensure stable workflow and a clean, organized, and efficient work environment.
- Partner closely with Production Control to plan and execute weekly production schedules aligned with customer demand.
Continuous Improvement & Lean Execution
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on waste reduction, process stability, throughput improvement, and labor efficiency.
- Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and problem-solving tools (standard work, visual management, root cause analysis, KPI tracking) to improve operational performance.
- Support and sustain process improvements in collaboration with Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and Operations teams.
Quality & Cost Management
- Ensure all quality standards are met while actively controlling scrap, rework, and delinquencies.
- Manage key P&L elements including labor variance, scrap, supplies, and manufacturing expenses.
- Support new product introductions, process changes, and improvements to existing components.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Sales to support customer commitments, including expediting and completing rush orders.
- Coordinate with Purchasing to expedite materials and minimize downtime.
- Communicate regularly with the Plant Manager, Quality, Production Control, Sales, Engineering, Maintenance, and HR, with periodic interaction with plants in Mexico and New Bedford.
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Strong background in manufacturing operations, process improvement, or industrial engineering.
- Bachelor’s degree with 3-5 years manufacturing supervisory or management experience
- Demonstrated experience driving continuous improvement, Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or waste-reduction initiatives.
- Prior experience leading teams, projects, or cross-functional improvement efforts in a manufacturing environment.
- Data-driven mindset with strong analytical, problem-solving, and performance-management skills.
- Effective communicator with the ability to influence, coach, and develop employees at all levels.
- Working knowledge of production systems, KPIs, and basic computer tools (Microsoft Office, manufacturing systems).
- Dependable, with a strong commitment to attendance, accountability, and results.
- Ability to work safely in an active manufacturing environment, including standing, moving, and managing production activities for eight (8) or more hours per shift in moderate-to-noisy conditions.
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Competitive salary and benefits package
- Opportunities for professional development and growth
- A dynamic and collaborative work environment focused on innovation and continuous improvement.
- Flexible PTO
- Paid holidays
- Prescription Drug Plans
- Retirement Savings Plan (401k):
- Basic Life Insurance
- Onsite Physician
- Employee Referral Program
Join our team and play a pivotal role in transforming our manufacturing processes to achieve greater efficiency and excellence.
We are committed to providing a competitive and fair total compensation package for all employees.
One element in our total compensation package is base pay.
Individual compensation decisions are based on a number of factors, including but not limited to previous experience and skills acquired prior to joining us, cost of living in the assigned work location, assigned schedule, and salaries of similarly situated peers at the company. It is to be expected that candidates will come to us with different sets of skills and experiences and therefore will be paid at different points in the stated range. We recognize that the person(s) we select for hire may be less experienced or more experienced than the role as posted; if this is the case, any updates to available salary ranges will be communicated with candidates during the recruitment process.
Knowles’ Cornell Dubilier brand is a leading designer and manufacturer of custom high-energy discharge capacitors used in a wide range of medical, military, and commercial pulsed energy applications.
Equal Opportunity Statement: We prohibit pay discrimination and discrimination of any kind based on race, color, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or other legally protected status.
ITAR Statement: Please note that this position may require access to technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants must be U.S. persons (citizens, lawful permanent residents, or individuals granted refugee or asylee status) or have the necessary authorization to access controlled technical data. Compliance with ITAR and EAR regulations is a condition of employment.
Notice to Staffing Agencies, Search Firms and Recruitment Agencies: The recruitment process at Knowles is managed through the Human Resources department. Knowles does not accept resumes submitted from 3rd party agencies outside of our system. To submit resumes, 3rd party agencies will need to be a pre-approved vendor with a valid contract in place, be actively engaged by Knowles to recruit for a specific position and have agency log in credentials to submit candidates to our career's portal. Please do not submit resumes via e-mail, through our external website or directly to our employees. Any resumes submitted in this way become the property of Knowles and will not be eligible for any placement fee.
About Knowles
Knowles is a leading manufacturer of specialty electronic components. We design parts that perform unique, critical functions for innovative technologies. Through extreme reliability, custom engineering, and scalable manufacturing, we enable businesses to succeed in the most demanding applications across medtech, defense, and industrial markets.
Our high-performance capacitors, RF and microwave filters, advanced medtech microphones, balanced armature speakers, and miniaturization products enable and enhance the performance of technologies with the power to change, improve, and save lives. Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, Knowles has grown into a global organization with employees spanning 11 countries.
