The Production Manager is responsible for overseeing the production process for injection molding at the Erie location, ensuring efficient workflow, meeting deadlines, maintaining quality and safety standards, and managing resources like labor, materials, and equipment to produce finished goods on time and within budget; key duties include planning production schedules, coordinating activities across teams, monitoring quality control, and resolving production issues to optimize output and achieve operational goals.

Reporting to the Site Director of Operations, this individual will lead a large team of associates and up to six direct reports.

Typical Accountabilities:

• Production planning and scheduling:

·      Develop detailed production plans, set realistic timelines, and allocate resources to meet production targets.

• Resource management:

·      Manage inventory levels of raw materials, monitor equipment usage, and optimize staffing to maintain efficient production flow.

• Quality control:

·      Establish and enforce quality standards, conduct inspections, and identify and address quality issues to ensure product consistency.

• Cost control:

·      Track production costs, identify areas for cost reduction, and manage budgets to stay within financial constraints.

·      Look for Essentra Cost Savings (ECS) and implement when the opportunity presents itself.

·      Actively participate in the planning and implementation of CAPEX programs. Report results of implemented programs as required.

• Team leadership:

·      Supervise production teams, assign tasks, provide training, and motivate employees to achieve performance goals.

·      Establish and drive departmental KPI’s

• Performance monitoring:

·      Analyze production data, identify bottlenecks, and implement improvements to increase productivity and efficiency.

·      Identify key elements of process improvement and partner with process owners to deliver sustainable and repeatable change

• Health and safety compliance:

·      Ensure adherence to all safety regulations and procedures within the production area.

·      Champion 5S and Continuous Improvement activities

·      Participate in Essentra sustainability programs

• Problem-solving:

·      Troubleshoot production issues, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions to minimize disruptions.

• Communication and collaboration:

·      Work closely with other departments (e.g., sales, engineering, procurement) to ensure smooth production operations and meet customer requirements.

·      Actively participate in continuous improvement teams across all company locations

Qualifications:

• At least 5 years of supervisory/leadership experience in a fast-paced manufacturing facility.
• Must have experience overseeing production in a plastic injection molding environment.
• Displays solid skills in inter-group relationships and the ability to get people to work together.
• Good training and teaching skills.
• Good analysis skills, empathy, and employee relationship skills.
• Good interpersonal and communication (oral and written) skills.
• Good listening and decision-making skills.
• Excellent problem solving and reasoning ability.
• Willingness to work onsite at the Erie facility.
• Good leadership skills with the ability to motivate and coach a team.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and best practices related to safety, quality, etc.
• Strong use of Microsoft Office applications.
• Must be willing to do some travel throughout the Americas.

This position offers a competitive base salary, bonus incentive, full benefits package, and generous paid time off.