Production Manager - Repair Operations

Summary:

The Production Manager is responsible for the overall operational performance of a high-mix, low-volume job shop in the Chicago Suburbs. This role leads production scheduling, workflow coordination, supervisor accountability, safety compliance, and operational performance metrics. The Production Manager ensures efficient throughput, high-quality repair execution, workforce development, and strong customer responsiveness while partnering closely with Engineering, Sales, Finance, and HR.

Essential Duties:

Production Flow & Scheduling Responsibilities:

· Develop and manage daily and weekly production schedules to ensure efficient workflow and balanced labor utilization.

· Reduce work-in-progress (WIP) levels and improve throughput across departments.

· Drive efficiency and monitor performance

· Identify bottlenecks and implement corrective actions to improve capacity utilization.

· Coordinate workflow between winding, machining and mechanic departments.

Supervisor Leadership & Workforce Management:

· Directly manage shop supervisors and ensure accountability for departmental performance.

· Conduct performance evaluations and support employee development planning.

· Partner with HR to support employee relations, training initiatives, and workforce planning.

· Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

· Support recruitment and onboarding efforts for shop personnel.

Quality & Continuous Improvement:

· Partner with Engineering to strengthen and maintain quality standards.

· Drive initiatives to reduce rework and improve accuracy on initial completion

· Monitor trends and implement corrective actions based on data analysis.

· Support the development and enforcement of standardized processes.

Safety & Compliance:

· Ensure adherence to safety policies, OSHA standards, and internal compliance requirements.

· Partner with HR to ensure safety training completion and risk mitigation.

· Conduct regular safety audits and promote proactive safety culture.

Reporting / Support / Analysis Responsibilities:

· Ensure proper utilization of ERP systems for production tracking and documentation.

· Analyze operational performance metrics and provide reporting to leadership.

· Collaborate with Sales and Finance to support forecasting and capacity planning.

· Support budgeting initiatives related to labor efficiency and operational performance.

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Manufacturing,  or related field preferred (or equivalent experience)
• 5–10 years of progressive experience in manufacturing, operations, or industrial production      environments
• Minimum 3–5 years of direct supervisory or production management experience
• Experience managing multiple departments or functional areas within a facility
• Demonstrated experience improving workflow, reducing WIP, and increasing on-time delivery
• Experience implementing or strengthening quality systems and reducing rework
• Experience working with ERP systems and production data reporting
• Prior experience in industrial repair, rotating equipment, motor repair, or heavy equipment environments strongly preferred