Production Manager

Merola Tile•Manalapan Township, NJ

9d•$100,000 - $115,000•Onsite

About The Position

Merola Tile Distributors of America is a national leader in the tile distribution industry. They are seeking a hands-on, detail-driven Production Manager to oversee their manufacturing and merchandising production operations. This role will lead the production of mosaic tiles, sample boards, and merchandising materials, focusing on quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate is a proactive leader with a passion for lean manufacturing, process optimization, and team development, who can create streamlined systems and empower their team.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in production or manufacturing management (tile or building materials industry preferred).
Lean and Six sigma experience
Strong understanding of production scheduling, order fulfillment, packaging, and process optimization.
Experience in evaluating and improving packaging processes based on return data and customer feedback.
Demonstrated leadership and team management skills.
Proficient in Microsoft Office and ERP/production planning systems.
In-depth knowledge of Lean principles and Six Sigma methodologies, with the ability to apply them to optimize processes, eliminate waste, and drive continuous improvement.
Proven leadership and development of project-based manufacturing operations.
Experience managing a team of direct reports and a passion for motivating and coaching people.
Strong organizational, planning, and leadership skills.
Excellent communication skills; written and verbal.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
Ability to bend, stand, walk, and move around a production facility for extended periods.
Comfortable working in a hands-on environment with both materials and machinery.
Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the tile, stone, flooring, or related materials industry, preferred

Responsibilities

Oversee all aspects of mosaic tile production, ensuring quality, efficiency, and on-time order fulfillment.
Develop and maintain production schedules to meet sales forecasts and customer demand.
Maximize order fulfillment output while maintaining accuracy and minimizing defects.
Collaborate with design and procurement teams to ensure raw material availability and efficient usage.
Manage the production of sample boards and merchandising tools used for sales and marketing.
Manage all processes and production of all samples required by the company, including inventory management, scheduling, resource planning, and allocation.
Coordinate with sales, marketing, and product teams to align production with launch timelines and merchandising needs.
Define and manage merchandising production budgets (materials, labor, shipping).
Ensure all merchandising output meets company standards for quality and consistency.
Manage the return inspection process with a focus on identifying packaging issues, product damage trends, and opportunities for improvement.
Collaborate with the warehouse and customer service teams to evaluate returned products for potential reuse as samples or in mosaic production.
Implement and refine universal packaging methods that meet or exceed company standards for durability, branding, and cost-efficiency.
Use return data to inform enhancements in packaging design and material selection.
Manage and mentor production staff across all relevant areas (mosaic, merchandising, returns).
Identify and implement continuous process improvement to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and improve accuracy.
Apply Lean tools such as 5S, root cause analysis, standard work, and visual management to drive consistency and productivity.
Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs), including fulfillment rates, production accuracy, return reasons, and turnaround times.
Champion safety, quality control, and continuous improvement across all production processes.

Benefits

Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance
9 Annual Paid Holidays (including New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas)
Paid Time Off — earned and accrued from your first day with the company
401(k) Plan with company match (eligibility after 1 month)
Employer-Paid Life Insurance
Performance Reviews after 90 days and annually
Quarterly Company Goals — opportunity to earn up to 4 weeks of additional bonus pay annually
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Employee Referral Bonus Program
Employee Discount on tile after 6 months
Fresh Fruit, Coffee, Hot Chocolate, and Tea provided daily
Weekly Company Lunches
Company Culture Events — BBQs, Ugly Sweater Day, T-shirt making, Halloween contests, and more
Fun, Friendly, Family-Like Environment