Production Manager

Position Summary

The Production Manager is responsible for leading all aspects of casthouse production, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations. This role drives continuous improvement, builds a strong safety and performance culture, and ensures alignment with Hydro's standards, values, and strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities

- Operational Leadership: Oversee daily casthouse production operations to achieve targets in safety, quality, throughput, cost, and delivery.

- Safety & Compliance: Promote a world-class safety culture and ensure full compliance with Hydro safety standards and all applicable regulatory requirements (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and federal, state, and local regulations).

- Continuous Improvement: Champion continuous improvement, standardization, and best practices to optimize processes and eliminate waste.

- Strategy & Performance: Establish and execute short- and long-term goals, KPIs, and action plans aligned with organizational priorities.

- Team Leadership: Lead, coach, and develop the production team, including the production coordinator, shift leaders, crews, and mold technician.

- Cost Management: Monitor and control production costs while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and resource utilization.

- Communication: Maintain strong communication channels to ensure employees understand goals, expectations, and performance results.

- Collaboration: Participate on the Management Team and work cross-functionally with other Hydro units and support functions to achieve operational goals.

- Reporting: Provide weekly production updates to the Operations Director, highlighting metrics, performance trends, and strategic initiatives.

- Issue Resolution: Address personnel, performance, and production issues promptly and constructively.

Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree preferred; equivalent education and relevant experience will be considered.

- Proven leadership experience in manufacturing with strong understanding of throughput, cost, scrap/metal management, and logistics.

- Experience with LPC casting technology and casthouse processes strongly preferred.

- Demonstrated success in achieving safety, quality, cost, and efficiency objectives.

- Strong coaching, team-building, and people-development skills.

- Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.

- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities.

- Proficiency with computer systems and production-related software tools.

- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Working Relationships

The Production Manager collaborates with:

- Leadership and managers at Hydro Aluminum Cassopolis

- Managers and teams across other Hydro operations

- Cross-functional personnel supporting safety, quality, materials, and operations

Work Environment

This role operates in a heavy industrial environment and routinely uses standard office equipment. Physical duties are required in a manufacturing facility with extreme temperatures. Uniforms and required PPE are provided.

Physical Demands

- Regularly required to talk, hear, stand, walk, use hands, and reach with arms.

- Occasionally required to sit while using a computer or attending meetings.

Position Type / Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time onsite position. Typical hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., though evening and weekend work may be required based on operational needs.

Travel

Travel is less than 10% and may include visits to other Hydro plants or the corporate office for meetings or training.

Work Authorization

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Other Duties

This job description is not intended to cover all duties or responsibilities. Duties may change at any time with or without notice.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Hydro in North America is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All phases of employment are based solely on the qualifications of the individual and the requirements of the position, without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other category protected by law. We provide equal opportunities for all to contribute and succeed.