Production Manager

Our Opening and Your Responsibilities We are seeking a Production Manager, Lean Operations & Continuous Improvement to strengthen operational performance, develop our people, and build a scalable manufacturing organization as we grow, expand production capabilities, and support the next generation of analytical technologies. This opportunity extends beyond day-to-day production management. As a key member of the Operations Leadership Team, you will shape operating systems, challenge established practices and embed continuous improvement into daily work. What you will do Lead production operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement objectives while responding to changing customer needs. Manage production plan execution, labor resources, capacity, and workforce utilization to support current demand and future growth. Build an accountable, customer-focused manufacturing organization through clear expectations, daily management systems, and measurable performance goals. Collaborate with Planning, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Customer Service to resolve issues and improve operational performance. Advance Thornton’s Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement efforts through Kaizen events, structured problem-solving, and data-driven decision-making. Implement and sustain visual management, standard work, layered accountability, and 5S to eliminate waste and improve manufacturing, material flow, quality, and administrative processes. Foster a safety-first culture through proactive risk reduction, routine Gemba walks, safety observations, and employee participation in hazard identification and corrective action. Ensure compliance with applicable environmental, health, safety, and regulatory requirements. Partner with Quality and Engineering to strengthen process capability, quality ownership, process adherence, root-cause analysis, and corrective action effectiveness. Support validation, process qualification, and new product introductions. Recruit, coach, develop, and retain a high-performing team, strengthening the capabilities of supervisors, team leaders, and emerging talent. Improve employee engagement through feedback, recognition, and development; build workforce flexibility through cross-training and establish succession plans for key roles. Remove operational constraints and develop manufacturing systems that improve capacity, productivity, quality, and responsiveness. Support capital investment planning and implementation, and evaluate automation and digital transformation opportunities with Engineering and Operations leaders. Contribute to annual operating plans, long-range capacity planning, and operational readiness for strategic growth initiatives. The ideal candidate brings strong manufacturing leadership experience, Lean expertise, a growth mindset, and a passion for developing people—with the ability to translate strategic priorities into practical actions and sustainable results through frontline teams. What You Need to Succeed Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (or equivalent) required Minimum 7 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience. Minimum 3 years leading supervisors and production teams in a manufacturing environment. Demonstrated success implementing Lean Manufacturing principles and operational improvement initiatives. Strong understanding of production systems, capacity planning, material flow, and manufacturing metrics. Proven ability to develop teams, drive accountability, and lead organizational change. Experience working within regulated or quality-focused manufacturing environments. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Our Offer to You Medical, dental and vision care coverage and a 401(k) savings plan with company matching – all starting on date of hire Tuition reimbursement, ed…

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