Production Manager at Gibson Brands, LLC

The Production Manager position is a fast-paced role that drives the overall performance of the revered Gibson USA Facility as measured through goals and expectations around SQDCHR metrics. The work environment is a high quality, high mix, high volume wood working facility for the creation of USA-made guitars. Working in a “high expectations” environment, the successful candidate will have a diverse, best-practices production background, that includes demonstrable expertise in positive production management, productivity (Lean) disciplines, safety-as-a-priority, and preferably guitar and/or production wood-working knowledge. Reporting directly to this position are Production Supervisors, and indirectly, the entire production Team. The Production Manager position reports to the Facility Director.

Essential Functions

• Directs and coordinates the activities of employees engaged in the production or processing of goods, such as supervisors, inspectors, machine setters, and fabricators
• Ensures that all team leaders are following standard work and engaging their teams on a daily basis
• Responsible for setting performance goals that align with organization’s objectives
• Reports daily key performance indicators (KPI) for separate areas that correspond with the production system requirements
• Leads and participates in daily KPI meetings on the floor with staff
• Responsible for safety, quality, delivery, cost, team member engagement, and LEAN goals
• Confers with supervisors to coordinate operations and activities within or between departments
• Responsible for raw material, labor and CapEx budgets including drafting and achieving planned budgets
• Plans and establishes work schedules, assignments, and production sequences to meet production goals
• Supports the Inspection of materials, products, or equipment to detect defects or malfunctions and holds team members accountable to counter measures
• Responsible for establishing visual controls for departments in accordance with the organization’s LEAN journey
• Enforces safety and sanitation regulations
• Conducts employee training in equipment operations or work and safety procedures, or assigns employee training to experienced team members
• Responsible for employee engagement and development of LEAN principles within teams
• Responsible for building effective leadership teams comprised of Supervisors and Team Leads
• Interprets specifications, blueprints, job orders, and company policies and procedures for workers
• Reviews employees' attendance and hours worked
• Reads and analyzes charts, work orders, production schedules, and other records and reports to determine production requirements and to evaluate current production estimates and outputs

Other duties

• Projects and/or other duties as requested by senior Executive team and Facility Director
• Be an integral member of various project teams to change/improve processes as the company evolves
• Employee can be asked to perform other duties that are reasonable within the area of expertise

Required Skills/Abilities 

• Must be able to work independently, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and organize workload to meet organizational timelines in a fast paced, very high-growth environment
• Solid proficiency in Excel
• LEAN implementation experience including Kaizen events and visual factory initiatives 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Solutions oriented approach to challenges/issues
• Solid interpersonal skills with proven ability to develop and maintain effective business partner relationships at all levels of the organization
• Strong teamwork and project management skills combined with ability to work as part of a team
• Curious in nature and always looking to question, learn, and look for better ways to do things

Required Education and Experience 

• BS degree preferred or equivalent with Engineering degree preferred
• 5-7 years of supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment
• Woodworking and guitar experience is a plus

Essential Knowledge 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Project management skills combined with ability to work as part of a team 

Personal Qualities  

• Passionate about working and winning in a team environment.
• Flexibility to adapt quickly to changing circumstances.  
• Able to proactively question and challenge to prioritize and identify solutions in timely manner
• Clear and logical thinker 
• Relish working in a company with a diverse, challenging, and fast paced environment
• Personable, fun, team oriented

Travel Requirements 

• This position is mostly shop floor and office based, but may involve irregular travel

Physical Demands 

• Manufacturing environment
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds