Production Manager (New Haven, IN)

Ambassador Supply•New Haven, IN

About The Position

The Production Manager will lead the day-to-day operations of Rival Lab’s pilot-scale manufacturing and field-installation activities for our proprietary panelized housing system (light-gauge steel framing, automated panel assembly, and integrated mechanicals). This is a hands-on leadership role in the early stage of our growth: you will personally drive execution of the first 10–50 pilot homes in 2026 using rented/subcontracted production capacity, while building repeatable processes, safety systems, and quality controls that will scale with us. You will manage a small team (4–12 direct reports initially) and report directly to Lab leadership. The job requirements include but are not limited to the following: Core Value Expectations Actively pursue high character, high trust, and high performance personally, corporately, and in all aspects of the position Provide distinctive quality and unparalleled customer service both internally and externally Demonstrate and promote integrity, respect, and teamwork Invite others to help you grow through living authentically with nothing to prove, lose or hide Evidence humility by actively receiving teaching and mentoring

Requirements

7–12 years of progressive operations experience in manufacturing, prefab, modular, panelized construction, light-gauge steel framing, or related field.
Proven track record leading production from pilot/prototype ? low-volume repeatable output (50–200 units/year).
Strong mechanical aptitude and comfort with automated machinery (e.g., roll-formers, robotic arms, framing systems).
Experience managing small teams (5–20 people) and coordinating field/installation work.
Forklift certification (or willingness to obtain immediately).
High school diploma or equivalent; technical training or associate’s degree preferred.
Authorized to work in the U.S. (no sponsorship available).

Nice To Haves

Background in offsite construction, modular housing, truss/panel fabrication, or metal framing.
Familiarity with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.
Experience with subcontracted production or vendor-managed capacity.
Knowledge of safety standards (OSHA 10/30) and quality systems.
Midwest/Southeast construction experience (local codes, labor market, weather realities).

Responsibilities

Production and Process leadership o Own end-to-end execution of pilot production (10–50 homes in 2026): schedule, coordinate, and deliver on time and on budget.
Manage production capacity (e.g., Scottsdale roll-forming, AUAR-style robotic systems) and field-installation crews.
Build and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs), BOM accuracy, cycle-time tracking, and quality checkpoints.
Monitor key performance indicators: hard-cost variance, rework rate, defect rate, on-time completion, and safety incidents.
Drive continuous improvement: identify bottlenecks, reduce waste, and implement lean practices.
Team & People Leadership o Directly supervise and develop the initial operations team: Robotics Operator, Steel Machine Operator, Steel Assembler, Assembly Laborer, and install crew.
Hire, onboard, train, and retain high-character talent; conduct regular performance reviews and coaching.
Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and teamwork — lead by example on the floor.
Ensure all team members follow safety protocols, wear required PPE, and maintain OSHA compliance.
Quality, Safety & Compliance o Implement and maintain quality assurance processes (visual inspections, dimensional checks, fastening verification).
Lead safety program: conduct daily toolbox talks, incident investigations, and preventative maintenance.
Coordinate with external partners (Scottsdale, AUAR vendors, material suppliers) to ensure smooth material flow and system uptime.
Reporting & Continuous Improvement o Provide daily/weekly production reports: output, costs, variances, issues, and wins.
Collaborate with Lab leadership on pilot learnings to refine designs, processes, and licensee requirements.
Prepare for future scaling: document processes that can be transferred to licensed manufacturers.