APO Production Manager

About the role

For the past 162 years, Swisher has been an industry leader known for its iconic products and commitment to high quality standards. With a rich history, Swisher serves adult consumers through a diverse range of businesses, including Swisher Sweets Cigar Company, Helme Tobacco Co., Hempire, Rogue Holdings, and Drew Estate: The Rebirth of Cigars. We have a passion for people and helping them build rewarding careers. If you’re ready to create excitement and drive what’s next in the industry, we’d love to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute production plans to meet customer demand while optimizing labor, equipment, materials, and manufacturing resources to achieve production, service, quality, and cost objectives

• Collaborate with Planning, Supply Chain, Procurement, Sales, Quality, Engineering, and Maintenance teams to align production schedules with business priorities, inventory requirements, and customer expectations

• Lead and oversee daily production operations across assigned manufacturing areas, ensuring achievement of production schedules, output targets, quality standards, and customer service requirements

• Lead, mentor, and develop Operations Managers, Production Supervisors, Mechanics, Team Leads, and Operators, fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, continuous improvement, and operational excellence

• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement by promoting employee involvement, operational discipline, and adherence to company values and expectations

• Ensure production processes comply with established quality standards, regulatory requirements, operating procedures, and manufacturing specifications

• Optimize resource allocation, including manpower, equipment, materials, and production capacity, to maximize efficiency, throughput, and operational performance

• Partner with Procurement and Supply Chain teams to ensure timely availability of raw materials, packaging components, and production supplies while minimizing shortages and operational disruptions

• Collaborate with Supply Chain and Operations Support teams to support implementation, optimization, and integration of ERP, MES, WMS, and manufacturing technologies that improve operational visibility and inventory accuracy

• Establish, monitor, and report key performance indicators (KPIs) related to safety, quality, productivity, cost, inventory, labor utilization, waste reduction, and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

• Analyze production data, operational trends, and performance metrics to identify opportunities for improvement and implement sustainable corrective actions

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, automation technologies, and operational excellence methodologies to improve productivity, reduce waste, and enhance manufacturing performance

• Lead cross-functional teams in implementing process improvements, equipment upgrades, automation projects, and operational changes that improve efficiency, quality, and throughput

• Partner with Engineering and Maintenance teams to improve equipment reliability, minimize downtime, and support capital investment initiatives

• Investigate, document, and address safety incidents, near misses, operational disruptions, and quality concerns, ensuring appropriate corrective and preventive actions are implemented

• Develop and manage departmental budgets, labor plans, and operating expenses, identifying opportunities for cost reduction, waste elimination, and operational efficiency improvements while maintaining product quality and customer service levels

• Support new product introductions, process changes, capacity expansions, and operational growth initiatives by ensuring production readiness, workforce preparation, and execution alignment

• Provide regular reporting and performance updates to the Senior Director of Manufacturing Operations, identifying operational risks, opportunities, and strategic recommendations

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Operations Management, Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, or Business Administration
• 8+ years of progressive manufacturing experience within a CPG, food, beverage, tobacco, pharmaceutical, or similarly regulated manufacturing environment
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing production supervisors, operations managers, maintenance personnel, or multiple production departments
• Demonstrated experience leading high-volume manufacturing operations and delivering results across safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, and labor productivity metrics
• Strong knowledge of production planning, inventory management, manufacturing systems, workforce planning, and capacity management
• Experience leading Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, operational excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Demonstrated experience managing operational budgets, labor planning, and cost-reduction initiatives
• Experience partnering with Supply Chain, Procurement, Planning, Engineering, and Quality teams to support production execution and customer fulfillment objectives
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, and organizational skills
• Excellent leadership, coaching, communication, and stakeholder management capabilities
• Experience utilizing ERP, MRP, MES, WMS, and manufacturing reporting systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Operations Management, Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, or Business Administration
• Led multi-shift manufacturing operations supporting 100+ employees
• Led Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification
• Experience implementing manufacturing automation, ERP, WMS, or digital manufacturing initiatives
• Experience managing production operations within a unionized manufacturing environment
• Experience supporting new product introductions, capacity expansion projects, or large-scale operational transformations