Production Manufacturing Manager

About the role

The Production Manager leads daily industrial automation manufacturing operations across 2 shifts, accountable for achieving safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost, and production objectives. This role provides leadership and direction to Production Supervisors and front-line manufacturing teams, with oversight of approximately 85 employees, ensuring efficient execution of manufacturing processes and consistent achievement of operational goals. The leader drives Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives, partners closely with cross-functional teams to optimize performance, and develops talent through coaching, performance management, and succession planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop Production Supervisors and manufacturing teams across 2 shifts, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement while achieving safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost objectives.
• Establish clear performance expectations, provide coaching and feedback, and hold employees accountable for results, policies, and standards.
• Build leadership capability through performance management, talent development, succession planning, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Partner with Human Resources on recruiting, onboarding, training, performance management, employee relations, and workforce planning.
• Oversee daily manufacturing operations to ensure production schedules, customer commitments, and operational goals are achieved.
• Monitor and drive performance against key metrics including safety, quality, delivery, productivity, inventory, cost, and throughput.
• Lead Daily Management Systems (DMS), tier meetings, visual management, and operational reviews to ensure issue resolution, escalation, and accountability.
• Lead Lean manufacturing initiatives focused on waste reduction, process optimization, standardization, and operational excellence.
• Champion 5S, visual management, standard work, leader standard work, problem-solving methodologies, and Kaizen activities.
• Facilitate root cause analysis, A3 problem solving, PDCA activities, and continuous improvement projects that improve performance and reduce costs.
• Promote a safety-first culture and ensure compliance with EHS regulations, company policies, and operational standards.
• Lead investigations, audits, risk assessments, and corrective actions to reduce workplace risks and improve safety performance.
• Partner with Quality to resolve production issues, customer concerns, and non-conformance while maintaining compliance with QMS requirements.
• Ensure adherence to manufacturing processes, work instructions, regulatory requirements, and audit readiness expectations.
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Planning, Logistics, and Customer Service to improve operational performance and support business objectives.
• Support new product introductions, engineering changes, manufacturing readiness reviews, capacity expansion, automation, and digital manufacturing initiatives.
• Participate in S&OP, capacity planning, budgeting, and resource allocation activities to support growth and operational readiness.
• Represent Manufacturing Operations during customer visits, audits, leadership reviews, and key business initiatives while collaborating with global operations teams to share best practices.
• Manage staffing, labor utilization, productivity, and overtime to support production requirements and achieve operational performance goals.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve efficiency, optimize resource utilization, increase capacity, and reduce waste across manufacturing operations.
• Monitor operational and cost performance, identify trends and improvement opportunities, and implement actions to enhance efficiency, productivity, and overall business results.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and capital improvement initiatives by providing operational input, resource planning, and performance data.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and manufacturing leadership experience will be considered.
• 5+ years of progressive manufacturing operations experience in electronics, electromechanical, industrial automation, or other industrial manufacturing environments, with increasing levels of leadership responsibility.
• 3+ years of people leadership experience leading Production Supervisors, Team Leads, and manufacturing teams of 50+ employees, with a demonstrated ability to develop talent, drive performance, manage workforce productivity, and build engaged, high-performing teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Previous experience as a Production Manager or similar manufacturing leadership role with responsibility for daily production operations, workforce management, and operational performance.
• Proven experience leading multi-shift manufacturing operations with responsibility for production performance, workforce management, staffing, and employee development.
• Demonstrated ability to build, coach, and develop high-performing teams while fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Track record of achieving operational goals related to safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost performance.
• Experience leading employee development, performance management, succession planning, and employee relations initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles, continuous improvement methodologies, and problem-solving tools such as Kaizen, 5-Why, A3, and Root Cause Analysis.
• Experience using operational metrics and KPIs to drive improvements in productivity, efficiency, throughput, inventory accuracy, and on-time delivery.
• Working knowledge of ERP systems (SAP highly preferred), manufacturing systems, and production data analysis.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including Planning, Materials, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing safety requirements, quality standards, compliance regulations, and audit processes.
• Experience leading process improvements, automation initiatives, facility expansions, capacity growth projects, manufacturing transfers, or new product introductions.
• Excellent leadership, communication, coaching, conflict resolution, listening, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience working in ISO-certified manufacturing environments; familiarity with IPC, ESD, and MSD standards is a plus.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or other continuous improvement certifications preferred.

Benefits

• Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical Insurance – multiple plan options
• FSA, HSA options
• Vision Insurance
• 401k with company match, fully vested
• Paid Time Off
• 10 company paid holidays
• Company paid disability & AD&D insurance
• 100% paid parental leave after one year of service
• Supplemental insurance plans (Identity theft, cyber protection, additional life, etc.)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Many positions offer flexible schedules to meet your needs
• Relaxed business casual environment
• Sit/Stand desks for onsite office positions
• Frequent team building activities
• Career advancement opportunities

Pay

Annual compensation: $120,000 - $140,000 (estimate based on skills, knowledge, education, location, and industry experience).

About us

Lenze is a global manufacturer of electrical and mechanical drives, motion control, and automation technology—offering products, drive solutions, complete automation systems, and engineering services and tools from a single source. Our products serve industries including automotive, packaging, material handling and logistics, robotics, and industrial equipment (pumps/fans). Headquartered in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, Lenze Americas is the American subsidiary of Lenze SE of Germany, with global headquarters in Hamelin, Germany.

Our culture is built on collaboration, innovation, and respect—where every voice matters and every idea has the potential to shape the future. We support our team with the flexibility and resources they need to thrive both professionally and personally.