Manufacturing Manager
Job Description: Manufacturing Manager
Department: Production Status: Exempt
Reports To: Director of Operations Revision Date: 4/18/2025
Description: The Manufacturing Manger will lead, manage, and hold accountable the production team by setting clear priorities and aligning resources to achieve Pelican Wire’s quality, cost, delivery, and safety goals. This role is essential in fostering a culture of ownership and accountability, while advancing toward self-directed work teams. The Manufacturing Manager will actively identify and implement continuous improvement (Kaizen) activities, coordinate daily production, and partner cross-functionally to solve complex problems in a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment.
Qualifications/Skills:
Operational Management
• Drive financial performance by ensuring the production team is positioned to meet customer requirements on time and within budget.• Coordinate daily production schedules, labor assignments, and work procedures while adjusting for product mix, order changes, and resource availability.
• Own floor-level execution of Quality Management System (QMS – ISO 9001:2015) compliance, supporting audits, documentation, and corrective actions.
• Ensure timely and accurate entry of production data into ERP system and utilize system data for decision-making and planning.
• Lead daily GEMBA walks and drive resolution of issues that impact safety, quality, or efficiency.
• Monitor and report on KPIs including on-time delivery, first-pass yield, scrap rate, labor utilization, and machine uptime.
Continuous Improvement & Flexibility
• Identify and lead lean improvement initiatives with a focus on reducing waste, improving process flow, and increasing flexibility to support high product variability.• Champion 6S workplace organization and visual management throughout the production area.
• Support the adoption of digital tools or dashboards for performance tracking and team communication.
• Work with production control and materials teams to ensure optimal capacity planning and resource allocation.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with Engineering and Sales to ensure manufacturability of custom products and smooth handoffs from design to production.• Represent the production team in cross-functional planning, design review, and new product introduction discussions.
• Collaborate with HR to resolve employee issues, drive compliance, and manage performance and development plans.
Leadership Responsibilities
• Instill a culture of ownership, teamwork, and accountability at all levels of the production team.• Ensure direct labor employees have the tools, information, and training needed to succeed in their roles and grow into future opportunities.
• Lead by example in living Pelican Wire’s Core Values and reinforcing co-owner principles from the Co-Owner Manual.
• Monitor and coordinate employee onboarding, training, certification, and safety practices.
• Conduct bi-annual performance reviews and Individual Development Plans (IDPs); actively mentor team members.
• Promote engagement through Gallup survey tools and work to improve team satisfaction and commitment.
• Proactively identify and develop successors and emerging leaders within the department.
Skills/Qualifications:
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Hands-on experience applying lean manufacturing principles (Kaizen, 6S, standard work, value stream mapping, etc.).
• Ability to teach and lead continuous improvement efforts across diverse teams.
• Mechanical aptitude and experience troubleshooting production-related issues.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and experienced in ERP/MRP systems.
• Strong problem-solving, data analysis, and decision-making capabilities.
• Product knowledge in the wire and cable industry preferred.
Education and Experience:
High school diploma or equivalent required.
Minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience in a manufacturing setting, preferably in a high-mix, low-volume environment.
Experience leading cross-functional teams or project initiatives is a plus.
Work Environment:
Primarily indoors in a climate-controlled manufacturing building with moderate noise levels.
Occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts or machinery.
Physical Demands While performing the responsibilities of the job:
• Ability to talk, hear, stand, sit, and walk throughout the day.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for handling materials and operating equipment.
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, reach, lift or move up to 55 pounds, push, pull, or grasp objects.
• May be required to operate a forklift.
• Ability to inspect small-gauge wire and detect product issues or equipment malfunctions.
Travel Requirements:
Occasional travel to customers, suppliers, or other sites for interplant visits and external training.
Conclusion:
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and responsibilities of the position and is not a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications.
Additional Comments:
Those that excelled at this position in the past have had the following qualities, characteristics, or traits:
- Highly motivated with a desire to excel at their work and willingness to learn.
- Patient, and not easily frustrated. Ability to work in teams and across departments to meet company needs.
- The ability to plan and multitask.
- Exceptional work ethic and dedication to their company, and able to follow the Company Core Values.
- Comes to work every day with a great attitude. Thinks like an owner.
As required by the Americans with Disabilities Act reasonable accommodations may be made to qualified applicants and/or employees to perform essential job functions.
Pelican Wire is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants and/or employees will be provided equal opportunity without regard to age, race, religion, sex, color or national origin.
Note: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.