Production Manager

R & B Wagner Inc • Milwaukee, WI

2m

About The Position

Reporting to the VP of Operations, the Production Manager is responsible for directing and coordinating daily manufacturing operations to meet customer requirements for safety, quality, cost, and delivery. This role leads production teams, drives performance through Lean and modern manufacturing principles, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement. The Production Manager develops an engaged, flexible, and high performing workforce by building strong relationships, coaching effectively, and ensuring efficient resource utilization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time.

Safety & Compliance
1. Establish and maintain a zero accident safety culture, ensuring safe work practices, proper PPE use, and compliance with all company, state, and federal safety regulations.
2. Lead incident investigations, corrective actions, and proactive risk mitigation activities.
3. Ensure all employees receive proper safety training and follow required procedures.

Production Leadership
4. Manage day to day manufacturing operations to meet production schedules and customer delivery requirements.
5. Coordinate with Sales, Estimating, Purchasing, Engineering, and Production Scheduling to manage workflow, improve throughput, and enhance on time delivery.
6. Allocate labor and resources effectively to minimize downtime, overtime, scrap, and rework.
7. Maintain high standards of product quality, ensuring compliance with specifications, drawings, and customer expectations.
8. Provide daily leadership to production supervisors and teams through clear communication and hands on engagement.

Continuous Improvement
9. Implement and reinforce Lean Manufacturing, QRM, and other structured manufacturing methodologies.
10. Establish and manage effective performance metrics, visual controls, and tiered communication practices.
11. Lead continuous improvement projects aimed at waste reduction, cost savings, process reliability, and improved service levels.
12. Support ISO driven processes and quality system requirements.

People Development
13. Build, develop, and support a motivated, flexible, and cross-trained workforce.
14. In partnership with the VP of Operations and HR, contribute to hiring decisions, staffing levels, and employee relations.
15. Conduct coaching, performance feedback, and support skill development and training initiatives.
16. Promote teamwork, accountability, and open communication across all shifts.

Process, Equipment & Product Support
17. Guide teams in improving processes, workflow, equipment utilization, and work methods to increase efficiency and quality.
18. Participate in product and process development projects, ensuring manufacturability and smooth transitions to production.
19. Collaborate with Maintenance and Engineering to address equipment issues and ensure uptime and reliability.

Other Responsibilities
20. Manage compliance with internal policies and procedures.
21. Support operational reporting, KPI tracking, and strategic initiatives as directed by the VP of Operations.
22. Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in a metal fabrication or similar manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated progression in leadership responsibility, including direct supervision, coaching, and team development.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; familiarity with CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD) preferred.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production planning, and supply chain interactions.
• Working knowledge of fabricated metal products such as stairs, balconies, handrails, or similar systems preferred.
• Strong expertise in Lean Manufacturing, QRM, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and make sound decisions under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate across departments and levels.
• Ability to analyze data, interpret metrics, and drive performance improvements.
• Skilled at building high trust, team oriented working environments.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, or a related field preferred
• familiarity with CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD) preferred.
• Working knowledge of fabricated metal products such as stairs, balconies, handrails, or similar systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain a zero accident safety culture, ensuring safe work practices, proper PPE use, and compliance with all company, state, and federal safety regulations.
• Lead incident investigations, corrective actions, and proactive risk mitigation activities.
• Ensure all employees receive proper safety training and follow required procedures.
• Manage day to day manufacturing operations to meet production schedules and customer delivery requirements.
• Coordinate with Sales, Estimating, Purchasing, Engineering, and Production Scheduling to manage workflow, improve throughput, and enhance on time delivery.
• Allocate labor and resources effectively to minimize downtime, overtime, scrap, and rework.
• Maintain high standards of product quality, ensuring compliance with specifications, drawings, and customer expectations.
• Provide daily leadership to production supervisors and teams through clear communication and hands on engagement.
• Implement and reinforce Lean Manufacturing, QRM, and other structured manufacturing methodologies.
• Establish and manage effective performance metrics, visual controls, and tiered communication practices.
• Lead continuous improvement projects aimed at waste reduction, cost savings, process reliability, and improved service levels.
• Support ISO driven processes and quality system requirements.
• Build, develop, and support a motivated, flexible, and cross-trained workforce.
• In partnership with the VP of Operations and HR, contribute to hiring decisions, staffing levels, and employee relations.
• Conduct coaching, performance feedback, and support skill development and training initiatives.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, and open communication across all shifts.
• Guide teams in improving processes, workflow, equipment utilization, and work methods to increase efficiency and quality.
• Participate in product and process development projects, ensuring manufacturability and smooth transitions to production.
• Collaborate with Maintenance and Engineering to address equipment issues and ensure uptime and reliability.
• Manage compliance with internal policies and procedures.
• Support operational reporting, KPI tracking, and strategic initiatives as directed by the VP of Operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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