Production Manager

Role Summary EAE USA is seeking a highly motivated and results-oriented Production Manager to lead the manufacturing operations at our rapidly expanding Adairsville facility. This position is central to our continued growth, requiring a hands-on leader who can maintain exceptional quality and efficiency in the assembly of our proprietary busway systems and tap-off boxes. The successful candidate will not only master the day-to-day management of the production team but will also actively participate in strategic planning, process development, and administrative oversight, with the clear expectation of developing into the next Plant Manager as the business scales. Key Responsibilities Operational Leadership & Efficiency (70%)

- Daily Production Management: Direct and supervise all production staff, ensuring schedules are met on time, quality standards are adhered to, and operational goals (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost) are achieved.

- Safety & Compliance: Champion a world-class safety culture. Ensure all operations strictly comply with OSHA standards, electrical assembly best practices, and EAE USA quality standards.

- Process Excellence: Implement and sustain Lean manufacturing methodologies (e.g., 5S, Kaizen, standardized work) to continuously optimize workstation layout, workflow, and assembly techniques for busway and tap-off box production.

- Quality Assurance: Collaborate closely with the Quality team to quickly resolve non-conformance issues, reduce rework, and implement root cause analysis to eliminate quality defects.

- Resource Planning: Manage labor capacity, tooling, and equipment maintenance schedules to ensure uninterrupted production flow.

Team Development & Growth (20%)

- Team Building: Actively recruit, onboard, train, and mentor a rapidly growing team of production technicians and assembly leads.

- Performance Management: Conduct regular performance reviews, set clear goals, and provide coaching to develop team skills and prepare internal candidates for supervisory roles.

- Communication: Serve as the primary communication link between the floor team and senior management regarding daily challenges, successes, and resource needs.

Strategic Development (Future Plant Manager Track) (10%)

- Budgeting & Cost Control: Begin collaborating with the Director of Operations on annual operating budget preparation, capital expenditure (CapEx) planning for new equipment, and tracking manufacturing variances.

- Strategic Scaling: Assist in planning the physical and procedural expansion of the Adairsville facility layout to accommodate future production lines and anticipated volume increases.

- Cross-Functional Integration: Work closely with the Sales, Engineering, and Procurement teams to forecast demand and manage new product introductions (NPI).

Qualifications

Required Skills & Experience

- 5+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing management, production supervision, or operations leadership.

- Demonstrated experience managing assembly teams, preferably in electromechanical, switchgear, panel building, or electrical equipment manufacturing.

- Proven ability to lead, mentor, and motivate a large, diverse team in a high-growth environment.

- Strong working knowledge of Lean principles and continuous improvement methodologies.

- Familiarity with inventory control systems and ERP/MRP software (SAP experience is a plus).

Education & Certification

- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management, or a related technical field is preferred. Equivalent work experience will be considered.

- OSHA certification or extensive experience managing industrial safety programs is required.

Key Attributes for Success

- A "roll up your sleeves" attitude and comfort working directly on the shop floor.

- An inquisitive mind with a desire to learn all aspects of the business and manufacturing financials.

- Exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to make data-driven decisions under pressure.