Production Manager

About the Role

Use your unique talents, experience, skills, education, and enthusiasm to complete the Operations team. Your contribution is essential to the vision of Ring Container Technologies.

Responsibilities

• Train and direct the activities of production personnel in the areas of safety:
  • Ensure all employees are properly trained in safe operation of production equipment and that all safety rules are enforced.
  • Ensure production personnel report and/or correct unsafe conditions.
  • Monitor employee behavior regarding safe work performance.
  • Schedule safety meetings; ensure attendance and appropriate meeting topics are reviewed.
  • Ensure Lock Out / Tag Out procedures are followed.
  • Ensure all employees have and properly use appropriate safety equipment.
• Implement the Ring Family Culture in the facility:
  • Prioritize employees over production.
  • Coach and instruct supervisors in proper methods of caring for employees, demonstrating by example.
  • Welcome employees daily, inquiring about their personal lives to show Ring cares.
  • Hold pre-shift meetings to discuss daily needs, concerns, and emphasize safety for all.
  • Manage by walking around during shifts, initiating conversations about employee well-being.
  • Recognize and praise employees for positive actions.
  • Understand employees’ personal challenges, actively listen, and resolve issues for mutual benefit.
• Lead and support employee engagement initiatives:
  • Conduct semi-weekly focused walks through the plant to engage with employees.
  • Use active listening skills to encourage employee input on safety, quality, performance, goals, scheduling, and teamwork.
  • Note opportunities for improvement and potential solutions based on employee input.
  • Develop strategies for employee-led teams to implement or trial improvements.
  • Provide ongoing feedback to employee-led teams and support efforts leading to improved results, even during initial failure.
  • Celebrate wins and recognize employees on successful teams.
• Ensure the production of the best quality product at all times:
  • Train production personnel to identify quality defects, understand the rework process, and meet or exceed customer standards.
  • Ensure all quality measurements are performed as defined by the testing control plan and recorded in NWA Quality Monitor.
  • Ensure all raw materials, packaging, work in progress, and finished goods are labeled with fully traceable lot numbers.
  • Ensure nonconforming products and materials are identified, communicated, segregated, and documented.
• Train and direct production personnel in equipment operation, quality control, standards, procedures, and recognition of materials for scrap or regrind.
• Maintain training documentation.
• Monitor and analyze machine efficiency, assisting in identifying root causes and corrective actions for below-standard efficiency rates.
• Track OEE, changeovers, downtime, scrap, and bottle loss.
• Provide planned downtime to support corrective measures for improvements.
• Schedule product changeovers to minimize downtime and loss of productivity.
• Monitor labor expenses (general labor, overtime, temporary labor) weekly to pursue the corporate goal of being the low-cost producer.
• Maintain employee relations, including employee calendars, corrective action documentation, counseling, vacation scheduling, and appropriate staffing within budget.
• Measure employee turnover and implement action plans to reduce terminations.
• Prepare and maintain production records, machine efficiency records, scrap reports, and other required reports.
• Schedule production to meet customer demand and safety stock requirements.
• Supervise shift supervisors and facilitate supervisor meetings, maintaining meeting minutes.
• Promote teamwork throughout the plant.
• Work with maintenance personnel on TPM and CLAIR projects, scheduling necessary personnel and ensuring adherence to TPM standards.
• Perform supervisor duties as needed.
• Support the development, implementation, maintenance, and improvement of food safety, food defense, and quality systems to comply with regulatory and SQFI/BRC standards.
• Ensure production employees adhere to food safety, food defense, and prerequisite programs (e.g., security, pest control, foreign material control, allergen control, chemical control).
• Ensure production processes are performed in a food-safe manner.
• Ensure all housekeeping duties are performed and documented according to the Master Cleaning Schedule.
• Foster a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement, proactively addressing deficiencies.

Requirements

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in management or supervision in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to provide technical guidance through past experience and industry knowledge.
• Strong people skills, leadership qualities, managerial abilities, and a sense of urgency.
• Accountability, business ethics, professionalism, self-motivation, and a focus on business improvement.
• Ability to read, write, and understand English.
• 4-year technical degree and/or business degree.