APO Production Manager

Swisher•Jacksonville, FL

10d•Onsite

About The Position

For the past 162 years, Swisher has been an industry leader known for its iconic products and commitment to high quality standards. With a rich history, Swisher serves adult consumers through a diverse range of businesses, including Swisher Sweets Cigar Company, Helme Tobacco Co., Hempire, Rogue Holdings, and Drew Estate: The Rebirth of Cigars. We have a passion for people and helping them build rewarding careers. If you’re ready to create excitement and drive what’s next in the industry, we’d love to hear from you. The Production Manager is responsible for leading and optimizing manufacturing operations within assigned production areas, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective execution of production activities. This role is accountable for production planning, workforce leadership, operational performance, quality execution, and continuous improvement initiatives that support customer demand and business objectives. The Production Manager partners closely with Planning, Procurement, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, and Operations leadership to ensure production schedules are executed efficiently, resources are optimized, and manufacturing performance meets organizational goals. This position plays a critical role in driving operational excellence, workforce development, safety performance, and sustainable business results within a fast-paced CPG manufacturing environment.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Operations Management, Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, or Business Administration
8+ years of progressive manufacturing experience within a CPG, food, beverage, tobacco, pharmaceutical, or similarly regulated manufacturing environment
5+ years of leadership experience managing production supervisors, operations managers, maintenance personnel, or multiple production departments
Demonstrated experience leading high-volume manufacturing operations and delivering results across safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, and labor productivity metrics
Strong knowledge of production planning, inventory management, manufacturing systems, workforce planning, and capacity management
Experience leading Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, operational excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives
Demonstrated experience managing operational budgets, labor planning, and cost-reduction initiatives
Experience partnering with Supply Chain, Procurement, Planning, Engineering, and Quality teams to support production execution and customer fulfillment objectives
Strong analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, and organizational skills
Excellent leadership, coaching, communication, and stakeholder management capabilities
Experience utilizing ERP, MRP, MES, WMS, and manufacturing reporting systems

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree in Operations Management, Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, or Business Administration
Experience leading multi-shift manufacturing operations supporting 100+ employees
Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification
Experience implementing manufacturing automation, ERP, WMS, or digital manufacturing initiatives
Experience managing production operations within a unionized manufacturing environment
Experience supporting new product introductions, capacity expansion projects, or large-scale operational transformations

Responsibilities

Develop and execute production plans to meet customer demand while optimizing labor, equipment, materials, and manufacturing resources to achieve production, service, quality, and cost objectives
Collaborate with Planning, Supply Chain, Procurement, Sales, Quality, Engineering, and Maintenance teams to align production schedules with business priorities, inventory requirements, and customer expectations
Lead and oversee daily production operations across assigned manufacturing areas, ensuring achievement of production schedules, output targets, quality standards, and customer service requirements
Lead, mentor, and develop Operations Managers, Production Supervisors, Mechanics, Team Leads, and Operators, fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, continuous improvement, and operational excellence
Establish workforce plans and staffing strategies that support operational requirements while maximizing labor productivity and organizational effectiveness
Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement by promoting employee involvement, operational discipline, and adherence to company values and expectations
Ensure production processes comply with established quality standards, regulatory requirements, operating procedures, and manufacturing specifications
Implement and monitor quality control measures, partnering with Quality Assurance teams to ensure products consistently meet or exceed customer and regulatory requirements
Optimize resource allocation, including manpower, equipment, materials, and production capacity, to maximize efficiency, throughput, and operational performance
Partner with Procurement and Supply Chain teams to ensure timely availability of raw materials, packaging components, and production supplies while minimizing shortages and operational disruptions
Collaborate with Supply Chain and Operations Support teams to support implementation, optimization, and integration of ERP, MES, WMS, and manufacturing technologies that improve operational visibility and inventory accuracy
Establish, monitor, and report key performance indicators (KPIs) related to safety, quality, productivity, cost, inventory, labor utilization, waste reduction, and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
Analyze production data, operational trends, and performance metrics to identify opportunities for improvement and implement sustainable corrective actions
Lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, automation technologies, and operational excellence methodologies to improve productivity, reduce waste, and enhance manufacturing performance
Lead cross-functional teams in implementing process improvements, equipment upgrades, automation projects, and operational changes that improve efficiency, quality, and throughput
Partner with Engineering and Maintenance teams to improve equipment reliability, minimize downtime, and support capital investment initiatives
Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, company safety policies, environmental standards, and regulatory requirements, promoting a culture of safety awareness throughout the organization
Investigate, document, and address safety incidents, near misses, operational disruptions, and quality concerns, ensuring appropriate corrective and preventive actions are implemented
Develop and manage departmental budgets, labor plans, and operating expenses, identifying opportunities for cost reduction, waste elimination, and operational efficiency improvements while maintaining product quality and customer service levels
Support new product introductions, process changes, capacity expansions, and operational growth initiatives by ensuring production readiness, workforce preparation, and execution alignment
Provide regular reporting and performance updates to the Senior Director of Manufacturing Operations, identifying operational risks, opportunities, and strategic recommendations