Production Manager Job Description Template (Free, 2026)

Production Manager Location: [City, State] - On-site (required) Department: Manufacturing / Operations Reports to: Plant Manager or VP of Operations Employment Type: Full-time Salary: $80,000 - $115,000 per year About the Role We are seeking an experienced and decisive Production Manager to lead our manufacturing operations and drive continuous improvement across our production floor. You will manage a team of [X] production supervisors and [X] operators, oversee daily scheduling and output targets, and ensure that every product leaving our facility meets our quality standards, safety requirements, and delivery commitments. This is a hands-on leadership role that requires both technical knowledge and strong people management skills. Responsibilities - Plan, direct, and coordinate all production activities to meet daily, weekly, and monthly output targets - Manage and develop a team of production supervisors and line operators through coaching, performance feedback, and targeted development plans - Develop and maintain detailed production schedules in coordination with planning, procurement, and customer service teams - Monitor and improve key production KPIs including OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), throughput, scrap rate, and on-time delivery - Champion a culture of safety by enforcing OSHA and company safety standards, conducting regular safety audits, and investigating near-misses and incidents - Lead root cause analysis (RCA) for production defects, downtime events, and quality escapes, implementing corrective and preventive actions - Collaborate with Maintenance to schedule preventive maintenance and minimize unplanned downtime - Partner with Quality Assurance to ensure in-process quality checks are performed and non-conforming products are properly handled - Drive lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives (5S, Kaizen, value stream mapping) - Manage production labor costs, including overtime scheduling and headcount planning in line with the production plan - Prepare daily and weekly production reports for plant leadership, including output, efficiency, and issue summaries Requirements - Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field - 6+ years of manufacturing or production experience, with at least 3 years in a people management role - Demonstrated experience managing large production teams (25+ hourly employees) - Strong knowledge of lean manufacturing principles (5S, Kaizen, SMED, TPM) - Proficiency with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or similar) for production planning and reporting - Solid understanding of OSHA regulations and workplace safety programs - Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills - Ability to work across shifts in a 24/7 production environment as needed Nice to Have - Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification - Experience in [specific industry: food and beverage, automotive, electronics, pharmaceuticals] - ISO 9001 or IATF 16949 quality management experience - Experience with SCADA or MES systems What We Offer - Salary range of $80,000 - $115,000 depending on experience - Annual performance bonus - Health, dental, and vision insurance - 401(k) with company match - Paid time off and company holidays - Lean Six Sigma training and certification sponsorship - Career progression path to Plant Manager [Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.