Production Manager

About the Role: The Production Manager is responsible for the direct supervision and leadership of the shop floor This is a hands-on role focused on managing the day-to-day activities of the production floor – overseeing welders, fabricators, assembly and painting personnel.Responsibilities:Operations & ManufacturingOversee all daily plant operations of heavy manufacturing plant; welding, fabrication, assembly paint, maintenance, etc..Manage production schedules to meet customer delivery commitments while optimizing labor and equipment utilization.Drive continuous improvement initiatives using lean manufacturing principles to reduce waste, improve cycle time, and increase throughput.Safety & ComplianceServe as the primary driver of safety culture transformation on the shop floor – model safe behaviors daily and hold all personnel accountable to a zero-compromise safety standard.Assess the current state of the safety program and develop a structured improvement plan with measurable goals, timelines, and ownership to address gaps in culture, behavior, and compliance.Build trust with the workforce by engaging employees directly in safety conversations, soliciting input on hazards and near-misses, and ensuring concerns are acted upon visibly and promptly.Implement and sustain proactive safety practices including daily pre-shift safety briefings, job hazard analyses (JHAs), behavior-based safety observations, and structured toolbox talks.Establish clear leading indicator metrics (near-miss reporting, hazard identification, safety observation rates) alongside lagging metrics (TRIR, DART) to track program progress and drive accountability.Lead thorough root cause analyses for all incidents and near-misses; develop corrective action plans and track to closure, sharing learnings across the shop floor.Partner with the Safety department to develop and deliver role-specific safety training programs that build competency and reinforce cultural expectations.People & Team LeadershipRecruit, hire, train, and develop a team of welders, fabricators, machinists, and support staff.Conduct regular performance reviews; provide coaching and disciplinary action as needed.Foster a collaborative and respectful work environment that promotes accountability and employee engagement.Coordinate with HR on workforce planning, compensation benchmarking, and labor relations.Financial & Business ManagementManage the plant operating budget; monitor costs, control variances, and identify savings opportunities.Prepare and present regular KPI reports (on-time delivery, scrap rate, safety metrics) to senior leadership.Evaluate capital equipment needs and develop business cases for plant investment.Qualifications:Minimum 10 years of progressive manufacturing/fabrication experience, with at least 5 years in a plant or operations management role.OSHA 30-Hour General Industry or Construction certification (required within 90 days of hire).AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) or demonstrated oversight experience with certified welding programs.Proven ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, weld procedures (WPS/PQR), and material test reports (MTRs).Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills with experience managing teams of 25+ employees.Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and standard MS Office applications.Required Skills:Experience in heavy equipment manufacturing.Six Sigma Green Belt or Lean Manufacturing certification.Prior experience managing a multi-shift fabrication operation.Pay range and compensation packageCompetitive compensation package commensurate with experience, including:Competitive base salaryPerformance-based bonusHealth, dental, and vision insurance401(k) with company matchPaid time off and company holidaysProfessional development and certification supportEqual Opportunity StatementAll qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status.