Director of Production and Manufacturing

The Lighthouse for The Blind in New Orleans•New Orleans, LA

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About The Position

The Director of Production’s primary job is to oversee and manage manufacturing operations to promote efficiency, safety and lean operating principles while fostering an atmosphere of teamwork and open communication, exceeding customer requirements and maximizing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Requirements

Education: High school diploma or GED required.
Special Knowledge/Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel. Excellent organizational and written/verbal communication skills. Teambuilding and Knowledge of lean manufacturing concepts a plus.
Experience: Two or more years of manufacturing and supervisory experience required.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Production Supervisors and staff in all assigned production departments; responsible for recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and training employees, planning, assigning, and directing work, appraising performance, rewarding, and disciplining employees, addressing complaints, and resolving problems; positive communication with all company staff is mandatory.
Physical: Able to lift up to 60 lbs. or more, bend, stoop, climb, stand, and walk regularly. Able to travel throughout the facility to safely and effectively manage all work responsibilities, breaks, and emergency evacuations, with or without a reasonable accommodation. Able to manage all self-care needs and activities of daily living as required to support successful employment, with or without a reasonable accommodation.
Personality: Personable, motivated, adaptable, innovative, able to multitask and meet deadlines, able to effectively direct the work of others.
Working Conditions: Inside and outside in a manufacturing/warehouse facility.
Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours. Exempt.
Background Check and Drug Test Required: Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results.

Nice To Haves

Teambuilding and Knowledge of lean manufacturing concepts a plus.

Responsibilities

Plan production to meet customer requirements, maximize blind labor hours (minimum 75% of direct labor), and efficiency.
Process and maintain all production, staff, payroll, and inventory records for assigned departments.
Collect, document, and report on production goals, output, efficiency, labor costs and direct blind labor ratio in an accurate and timely manner (i.e., daily labor tracking, overtime, and direct labor ratio projection, etc.).
Establish and maintain efficient flow of raw materials to finish goods to achieve daily production goals in a manner that minimizes cost.
Coordinate with Quality, Purchasing, Inventory, Shipping, Receiving, and Maintenance to accomplish organizational goals and meet customer requirements.
Assist the Chief Production Officer and Vice President with onboarding new products by proactively meeting manufacturing readiness targets for staffing, workspace set up, and other relevant elements.
Facilitate effective and professional communication with Customer Service/Sales staff regarding production.
Maintain organized and clean production area with assistance from Maintenance janitorial staff.
Proactively eliminate safety hazards, increase staff awareness, promote safe work habits, report accidents/near misses promptly, and ensure prompt emergency response for all assigned departments.
Responsible for securing the facility when production is shut down.
Manage production team/employees promoting atmosphere of clear communication, teamwork, efficiency, and safety.
Communicate performance requirements and other expectations to production employees regularly.
Be the liaison between production employees and upper management, providing two-way communication.
Recruit and hire for production positions as necessary to maintain staffing requirements.
Train employees and contract workers to accomplish assigned tasks per Lighthouse procedures.
Evaluate individual employee performance and provide feedback to encourage employees to reach their potential.
Address employee problems, concerns and issues promptly and fairly using conflict resolution, coaching, reprimands and when necessary, termination.
Notify Chief Production Officer and or Vice President of Production of any issues that could negatively impact the organization.
Conduct all business in a positive relationship-building manner.
Follow, train employees on, and ensure compliance with, all ISO procedures.
Other duties as assigned by the Vice President of Production.