Production Manager

Overview

The Production Manager is responsible for leading, developing, and managing production operations at the Joliet facility. This role ensures the team meets or exceeds goals related to safety, quality, productivity, and on-time delivery, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction. At Filtration Group, our team members are our greatest asset, and this position is critical in fostering a culture of teamwork and continuous improvement. The role requires a hands-on leader with strong lean manufacturing expertise and the ability to build a high-performance culture that drives operational excellence.

Responsibilities

The following are the primary duties and responsibilities of this role, but additional tasks may be assigned as needed:

• Provide leadership and direction to the production team, including Associates, Operators, Team Leaders, and Production Scheduler, ensuring operational alignment with the company’s objectives. Initiate and administer plans to support company strategies in production, safety, quality, service, and inventory management.
• Provide updates on operational progress, identify challenges, and suggest opportunities for improvement.
• Monitor and adjust production schedules to meet customer requirements while optimizing manufacturing and minimizing downtime. Ensure accurate labor planning, shift coverage, and cross-training to improve workforce flexibility.
• Foster a culture of teamwork by developing clear and open communication channels across all production teams and support functions. Promote effective pre-shift communication, including production goals, quality expectations and safety updates.
• Collaborate with other departments (e.g., Maintenance, Warehouse, Sales) to resolve any issues impacting production.
• Implement lean manufacturing principles across the production environment to increase throughput, reduce waste, and enhance overall plant performance. Use these principles to meet facility performance goals and inspire employees to pursue continuous improvement.
• Lead Safety and Quality initiatives, making safety a top priority and ensuring quality standards are adhered to through all production stages. Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory standards, including OSHA and internal quality procedures.
• Develop and mentor Team Leaders to enhance their skills, problem-solving capabilities, and accountability.
• Develop employees through training, empowerment, and recognition. Ensure adequate cross-training for workforce flexibility.
• Support relevant initiatives such as capital projects, new product introductions, supplier partnerships, computer system enhancements, employee diversity and succession planning.
• Prepare reports, projects, and studies as directed.
• Lead by example and set a positive standard for the staff and workforce.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree, ideally in textiles, a technical or business discipline or a combination of related education and experience sufficient to effectively supervise our workforce and work process.
• 10 years of manufacturing experience with demonstrated at least 5 years of supervisory or leadership experience, ideally in a cellular operation with a variety of products. Able to successfully manage and motivate people. Able to lead by example.
• Experience in Lean Manufacturing, driving daily accountability.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills. Able to interact effectively at all levels.
• PC proficient using a database and MS products, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Professional attitude and presence.
• Ethical, dependable, strong attention to detail, superior organizational and time management skills, self-motivated and a team player. Prioritization skills and flexibility sufficient to complete projects with limited direct supervision.
• Committed to conducting the FGC Quality Policy.
• Customer oriented. Process focused and able to prevent problems and strive for continuous improvement.

Preferred Qualifications:

• ISO familiarity desired.
• Familiarity with quality management systems and regulatory compliance standards