Production Manager (Chemical Manufacturing required)

First Shift (Bilingual Spanish Required)

Salary: $90,000 - $110,000

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly driven, hands-on Production Manager to lead first-shift manufacturing and packaging operations. This role is ideal for a results-oriented operations leader who thrives in a fast-paced production environment and has a proven track record of improving safety, quality, productivity, and profitability.

The Production Manager is responsible for directing daily plant operations across multiple production lines, developing frontline leadership, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. This individual will play a critical role in building and sustaining a high-performance culture grounded in accountability, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction.

Success in this role requires strong business acumen, a visible leadership presence on the production floor, and the ability to translate organizational goals into measurable production outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Direct and oversee daily production activities to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations.
• Achieve daily, weekly, and monthly production targets aligned with company financial and operational objectives.
• Monitor, analyze, and improve key performance indicators (KPIs), including On-Time Delivery (OTD), throughput, Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), downtime, changeover time, first-pass yield, labor efficiency, and margin performance.
• Maintain a strong and consistent presence on the production floor to identify inefficiencies and implement real-time corrective actions.
• Ensure production schedules are executed accurately with a high level of schedule adherence.

Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing

• Identify and implement process improvements to reduce waste, increase throughput, and optimize equipment performance.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing initiatives, including 5S, Kaizen events, root cause analysis, and waste elimination.
• Optimize changeover processes, takt time, and overall equipment utilization.
• Partner cross-functionally with Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Engineering to drive quality improvements and cost reduction initiatives.
• Utilize data analytics and performance reporting to guide operational decision-making.

Planning & Scheduling Collaboration

• Collaborate with planning and scheduling teams to support on-time delivery and effective capacity planning.
• Proactively identify production constraints and adjust labor, resources, and priorities accordingly.
• Balance labor utilization with production demand and financial targets.

Team Leadership & Development

• Build, coach, and develop a high-performing production team, including line leads and operators.
• Conduct regular coaching sessions and monthly one-on-one meetings with production leads.
• Oversee hiring, onboarding, performance evaluations, corrective actions, and disciplinary processes.
• Drive cross-training initiatives to develop a flexible, multi-skilled workforce.
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, safety, and continuous development.

Financial & Performance Management

• Manage labor budgets and control overtime to meet financial and productivity targets.
• Monitor direct margin and gross profit performance associated with production efficiency.
• Partner with senior leadership to develop and execute corrective action plans when performance falls below expectations.
• Make operational decisions with a strong understanding of cost structure and financial impact.

Facility & Equipment Oversight

• Ensure proper operation, cleanliness, and organization of all production equipment and work areas.
• Support preventive maintenance programs to minimize downtime and extend equipment life.
• Maintain safe, compliant, and audit-ready production environments at all times.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Performance in this role will be evaluated against, but not limited to, the following metrics:

• On-Time Delivery (OTD)
• Throughput and Cycle Time
• Changeover Time
• Takt Time
• Downtime as a Percentage of Operating Time
• Equipment Utilization
• First Pass Yield
• Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
• Overtime Rate
• Customer Returns
• Direct Margin and Gross Profit Margin

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.