Product Line Manager

Greystone of Lincoln • Toano, VA

21h • Onsite

About The Position

The Product Line Manager (PLM) is an entry-level management role for early-career engineers, with end-to-end accountability for an assigned production line at Greystone of Virginia in Toano, Virginia. Depending on the assignment, the line may include electroplating, anodizing, secondary finishing operations, or ITAR-controlled precision machining. The PLM oversees the production process from receipt of customer orders through final inspection, packaging, and shipment, and serves as the primary operational contact for the customers assigned to the line. The role focuses on delivering quality, speed, and cost commitments and offers a path to senior operations and plant leadership.

The PLM directs day-to-day production, schedules work, monitors performance and cost, addresses process and equipment issues, and leads continuous improvement. The role also maintains quality and regulatory compliance, including applicable quality-system, environmental, customer, Mil-Spec, and ITAR requirements. The PLM supports customer communications, audits, program launches, and PPAP submissions, while supervising, coaching, and developing production personnel.

Work is performed primarily on the manufacturing floor, with some time in an associated office. The environment may involve plating chemistry, solvents, cutting fluids, metallic particulate, dry film lubricants, noise up to 85 dB, heat up to 100°F in ventilated areas, and cold areas of 40–50°F. Required PPE is provided and must be worn. The position requires a U.S. Person status under ITAR and willingness to work a flexible schedule, including occasional off-shift support as production needs require.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to apply engineering principles to hands-on process challenges in a regulated, high-volume environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to engage effectively with operators, plant leadership, and external customers.
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced, quality-driven production environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident) as required by ITAR, 22 C.F.R. Parts 120–130.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including occasional off-shift support as production needs require.
• Ability to meet the stated physical and work-environment requirements, including frequent reaching and grasping, lifting or carrying up to 25 pounds, and working on a manufacturing floor.

Nice To Haves

• Internship, co-op, or project experience in a manufacturing, finishing, automotive, defense, or firearms environment.
• Familiarity with electrochemistry, surface finishing, or chemical processing; relevant coursework counts.
• Exposure to Mil-Spec finishing standards, including MIL-A-8625 for anodizing, AMS 2406 for hard chrome, or related specifications.
• Knowledge of quality core tools, including FMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, and APQP.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, 5S, or Kaizen methodologies.
• ROTC or military service background.
• Basic understanding of ITAR and export-control compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Direct day-to-day production on an assigned line to meet output, quality, and delivery goals.
• Develop and manage daily and weekly production schedules; coordinate with maintenance, chemistry, scheduling, and support functions to protect delivery commitments and minimize downtime.
• Monitor and report line performance metrics, including OEE, cycle time, scrap/rework rate, and on-time delivery, to the Plant Manager daily.
• Lead structured troubleshooting of process, chemistry, and equipment issues; implement and verify corrective actions using disciplined problem-solving methods.
• Drive continuous improvement through Lean, 5S, and Kaizen initiatives to improve yield, reduce scrap, and lower costs.
• Manage line-level labor assignments, overtime, tooling, and consumable usage within established budgets.
• Ensure line activities conform to applicable quality systems and certifications, including IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and NADCAP AC7004/AC7108/4.
• Maintain process documentation, including control plans, FMEAs, work instructions, inspection records, and traceability records, in compliance with applicable customer, Mil-Spec, and ITAR requirements.
• Lead layered process audits, SPC monitoring, and daily quality checks; own root cause and corrective action for line non-conformances, including customer-facing 8D responses.
• Ensure plating specifications are met and use PPS capabilities to maintain Cpk targets on selective plating applications.
• For applicable machining or defense-finishing lines, ensure compliance with export-control regulations for controlled parts and technical data and immediately escalate potential violations.
• Enforce safety procedures and environmental compliance, including proper handling and documentation of plating chemistry under company policy and applicable regulations.
• Serve as the primary operational contact for assigned customers and provide proactive updates on order status, schedule, and quality performance.
• Communicate scheduling changes, quality escapes, or capacity constraints promptly and clearly; develop and present corrective action plans as required.
• Support new program launches and PPAP submissions, coordinating with process engineering, quality, and scheduling to meet launch milestones.
• Represent Greystone in customer audits, program reviews, and on-site visits, demonstrating working knowledge of the line's processes and quality system.
• Supervise, coach, and develop line operators and team leads; conduct performance evaluations and address performance issues constructively and promptly.
• Lead daily start-of-shift meetings covering production goals, quality priorities, safety topics, and shift handoff information.
• Coordinate with HR on recruiting, onboarding, and job-specific training; verify operator competency before independent work on controlled processes.
• Build a line culture grounded in safety awareness, quality ownership, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor and report key line cost drivers, including labor efficiency, scrap and rework cost, chemistry consumption, tooling, and overtime.
• Manage consumable and overtime spending against department budgets and provide root cause analysis for significant variances.
• Prepare and deliver regular operational performance reports for the Plant Manager and, as needed, customers.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, and retirement plan.
• Structured onboarding and mentorship pairing new engineers with experienced plant and process leadership.
• Exposure to proprietary process technology, automated inspection systems, and a broad portfolio of electroplating and anodizing processes.
• Real ownership and accountability from day one.
• Clear career path from Product Line Manager to Senior PLM/Operations Supervisor, Operations Manager, and Plant Manager.
• Competitive base salary commensurate with education and relevant experience.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level