Production Manager

The Production Manager is responsible for planning, directing, controlling, and coordinating the people, equipment, materials, processes, and resources necessary to support XLT’s manufacturing operations. This position provides leadership across sheet metal fabrication, CNC/programming, assembly, and related production operations, ensuring products are manufactured safely, efficiently, accurately, on time, and in accordance with XLT’s quality, cost, delivery, and service expectations.

This is a hands-on manufacturing leadership position requiring strong knowledge of sheet metal fabrication processes and equipment. The Production Manager must understand how fabricated components move from raw sheet metal through cutting, forming, welding, assembly, and final production and must be capable of identifying production constraints, improving flow, balancing capacity, and working directly with supervisors and Team Members to solve manufacturing problems.

The Production Manager develops and maintains effective production processes, optimizes labor and material resources, establishes performance expectations, develops Team Members and leaders, and drives continuous improvement throughout Production.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Abide by the company’s Quality Management System
• Prioritize customer satisfaction and maintain compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements
• Protect the company’s assets, reputation, goodwill, and marketplace stature at all costs

Essential Functions:

This position will perform the below listed duties consistently, accurately, timely, safely, and at the lowest feasible cost:

• Plan, direct, coordinate, and control daily manufacturing operations.
• Provide leadership, coaching, discipline, direction, and training to Supervisors, Team Leaders, and Team Members.
• Establish and maintain standards for safety, quality, productivity, cost, delivery, and workmanship.
• Balance manpower, materials, machines, and methods to meet production requirements.
• Evaluate production capacity and adjust staffing, schedules, equipment utilization, and priorities as necessary.
• Coordinate activities between Fabrication, Programming, Welding, Assembly, Quality, Engineering, Purchasing, and other departments as necessary.
• Work with Programming and Fabrication personnel to ensure programs, machine capacity, material availability, and production priorities support Customer demand.
• Identify fabrication bottlenecks and develop solutions involving manpower, equipment, programming, material flow, scheduling, or manufacturing methods.
• Ensure machinery and production equipment are appropriately utilized and maintained to support production requirements.
• Develop Supervisors and Team Leaders to effectively manage their respective areas.
• Establish clear expectations and hold leaders and Team Members accountable for performance.
• Ensure Team Members are properly trained and cross-trained for assigned responsibilities.
• Foster a high-performing team capable of supporting changing production demands.
• Apply Training Within Industry (TWI) principles, including Job Instruction (JI), Job Relations (JR), and Job Methods (JM).
• Ensure standardized work and effective Job Instruction methods are used to train Team Members.
• Continuously identify opportunities to simplify work and improve manufacturing methods.
• Lead and support problem-solving, root-cause analysis, corrective action, and process improvement activities.
• Practice and reinforce 5S principles throughout Production.
• Ensure products are manufactured according to drawings, specifications, work instructions, and established quality standards.
• Promote quality at the source and reinforce Team Member responsibility for workmanship.
• Reduce material waste, scrap, rework, downtime, and unnecessary production costs.
• Evaluate equipment needs, capacity constraints, and opportunities for improved technology or automation.
• Coordinate production priorities with other departments.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the President.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of five (5) years of manufacturing experience, with progressive leadership responsibility.
• Previous experience managing or supervising manufacturing/production operations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of sheet metal manufacturing processes, including cutting, forming, bending, welding, and assembly.
• Working knowledge of CNC manufacturing equipment and fabrication processes.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, prints, dimensions, tolerances, and manufacturing specifications.
• Understanding of production scheduling, capacity planning, material flow, labor utilization, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and practical understanding of manufacturing equipment and processes.
• Demonstrated ability to identify production problems, determine root causes, and implement sustainable solutions.
• Strong leadership and motivational abilities with the ability to develop teamwork and accountability.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong attention to detail and sound judgment.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Continuous improvement mindset with demonstrated ability to improve manufacturing processes.

Core Values:

• Teamwork – Give more than you take
• Excellence – Strive to win at what we do
• Integrity – Do what’s right, even when it’s hard
• Respect – Treat others as you want to be treated

Licenses & Documentation:

• Valid Driver’s License
• Forklift Operator’s License
• U.S. Passport (required for occasional travel or external representation)

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to stand, walk, and use hands for up to 10 hours per day
• Ability to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl as needed

Mental Requirements:

• Must be able to count, add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
• Must be able to read, speak, and write English effectively.
• Must be able to convey information clearly and effectively.
• Must be able to judge distances, shapes, dimensions, and fits.
• Must be able to analyze manufacturing problems, evaluate alternatives, and make timely decisions.
• Must be able to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively to changing production demands.

Required Reading/Development:

• XLT Quality Manual
• Kaizen Revolution
• The Little Big Things
• How to Win Friends and Influence People
• Becoming a Leader of Character
• Entreleadership
• Start With Why
• From Receptionist to Boss
• Eniglish Grammer Flipper
• Sam Parker Book Set
• Make Your Bed
• Leaders Eat Last
• A New Approach to Industrial Economics
• MBA in a Nutshell
• Radical Value

The above statements are intended to describe the essential responsibilities of persons assigned to this role. They are not intended as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements.