Production Manager

Description

Position Summary

The Production Manager is responsible for overseeing all daily operations of the wheel remanufacturing facility, ensuring consistent throughput, high-quality output, and adherence to all safety and compliance standards. This role manages production technicians, coordinates workflow, enforces SOPs, and drives continuous improvement across operations, quality, and efficiency.

The Production Manager serves as the operational leader of the shop floor and collaborates closely with Quality Control, Safety, Supply Chain, and Corporate Operations to meet production targets and maintain world-class standards.

Key Responsibilities

Production Operations & Workflow Management

• Oversee daily production      operations to ensure all wheels move through each stage (prep, repair,      machining, coating, curing, QC) according to defined cycle times.
• Maintain an efficient production      schedule that aligns workforce capacity with daily, weekly, and monthly      volume goals.
• Monitor throughput, WIP levels,      and bottlenecks; proactively reassign labor and adjust workflow to      maximize output.
• Ensure all SOPs, process      controls, curing times, and technical specifications are followed without      deviation.
• Coordinate machine utilization      (CNC lathe, blast cabinets, curing ovens, welders, etc.) to minimize      downtime.

Team Leadership & Staff Management

• Supervise, coach, and develop      production technicians and team leads.
• Hold daily start-of-shift huddles      to communicate goals, safety alerts, and operational priorities.
• Provide ongoing training for both      new and experienced technicians on equipment, safety, and repair      standards.
• Conduct performance reviews,      corrective actions, and coaching to maintain high standards.
• Maintain shift schedules and      manage labor allocation and overtime based on volume, revenue, and      staffing levels.

Quality Assurance & Process Control

• Partner with the Quality      Inspector to ensure all finished wheels meet cosmetic, dimensional, and      structural requirements.
• Review defect trends and lead      corrective actions to reduce rework and scrap.
• Enforce 100% compliance with prep      standards, coating thickness targets, and machining tolerances.
• Investigate process deviations,      equipment errors, or technician mistakes; implement preventative actions.

Safety, Compliance & Facility Standards

• Ensure daily adherence to OSHA      requirements, corporate safety programs, PPE usage, and hazard control      standards.
• Conduct routine safety audits and      immediately address unsafe conditions or behaviors.
• Maintain facility cleanliness,      workstation organization, and 5S standards.
• Lead incident investigations and      corrective action plans.

Reporting, KPIs & Continuous Improvement

• Track and report key production      metrics including:
  • Wheels per technician per hour
  • Total production volume
  • Cycle time (start to finish)
  • First-pass yield
  • Scrap/rework rates
  • Downtime and machine utilization
  • Cost of goods sold 
• Identify and execute process      improvements to increase throughput, reduce defects, and optimize labor      efficiency.
• Work with corporate teams on new      SOP rollouts, system upgrades, and operational improvements.
• Manage and achieve budgeted      production KPI’s 

Equipment, Maintenance & Materials Coordination

• Ensure all production equipment      is properly maintained, calibrated, and operational.
• Coordinate with maintenance      providers for repairs and preventive maintenance.
• Monitor and maintain inventory      levels of coatings, abrasives, welding materials, consumables, and shop      supplies.
• Communicate with Purchasing      regarding shortages and usage trends.

Requirements

Qualifications & Requirements

• 5-7+ years experience in      production, manufacturing, automotive refinishing, metalworking, or      similar environment.
• Previous leadership experience in      a shop, plant, or production setting.
• Strong understanding of      machining, coatings, welding, or remanufacturing processes (preferred but      not required).
• Ability to read work      instructions, technical specs, and operate common shop equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage      teams, enforce SOPs, and drive accountability.
• Strong analytical and      organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Commitment to safety, quality,      and continuous improvement.

Key Competencies

• Production planning &      workflow management
• Team leadership & coaching
• Process discipline & SOP      enforcement
• Quality mindset and attention to      detail
• Safety-first approach
• Problem solving & root cause      analysis
• Strong communication skills
• Data-driven decision making
• Spanish speaking preferred 
• Able to work 3rd shift      (overnight)