Department: Manufacturing / Operations Reports To: Plant Manager / Director of Operations Location: Houston, TX FLSA Status: Exempt
The Production Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing daily manufacturing operations to ensure products are produced safely, on time, within budget, and to quality standards. This role leads production supervisors and hourly teams, drives continuous improvement, and partners closely with engineering, quality, maintenance, and supply chain to meet customer and operational goals.
- Plan, schedule, and oversee daily production activities to meet delivery, quality, and cost targets
- Ensure efficient use of labor, materials, and equipment across all production lines
- Monitor production metrics (throughput, scrap, downtime, labor efficiency) and take corrective action as needed
- Collaborate with scheduling, purchasing, and inventory teams to maintain material availability
- Lead, coach, and develop production supervisors and hourly manufacturing employees
- Set clear performance expectations and hold teams accountable for safety, quality, and productivity
- Support hiring, training, performance management, and employee engagement initiatives
- Promote a positive, respectful, and team-oriented work environment
- Enforce all safety policies and ensure compliance with OSHA and company safety standards
- Lead safety meetings, incident investigations, and corrective action implementation
- Maintain a clean, organized, and compliant production environment (5S or similar)
- Partner with Quality to ensure products meet specifications and customer requirements
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Kaizen, or similar methodologies
- Identify process improvements to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and lower costs
- Support root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions
- Coordinate with Maintenance to minimize downtime and support preventive maintenance programs
- Participate in capital equipment planning and process optimization efforts
- Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Business, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience)
- 5+ years of manufacturing experience, including 2+ years in a supervisory or management role- Experience in metal fabrication, sheet metal, HVAC manufacturing, or similar environment strongly preferred
- Strong leadership and team-building skills
- Working knowledge of manufacturing KPIs, production scheduling, and labor planning
- Experience with Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or Six Sigma concepts
- Solid problem-solving and decision-making abilities
- Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office
- Ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization
- Ability to spend extended time on the production floor
- Occasional lifting up to [25–50] pounds
- Willingness to work extended hours as needed to support production demands
- Competitive salary and performance incentives
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off and holidays
- Opportunities for growth and advancement
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance