Industry leading manufacturer in the
Springfield, ILarea is seeking a high-impact
Production Managerwith deep technical expertise in
plastics extrusion or blow moldingto lead their daily manufacturing operations. The ideal candidate combines hands-on processing knowledge with transformative leadership to drive cultural change, build high-performing teams, and execute continuous improvement initiatives. You will be responsible for driving operational excellence, reducing scrap, maximizing uptime, and building an accountable, safety-first workplace culture.
Responsibilities- Operations Leadership:Oversee daily production on extrusion and/or blow molding lines to hit target output, profitability, on-time delivery, and quality standards.
- Drive Organizational Change:Champion continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, 5S, Kaizen, Six Sigma) to modernize processes, eliminate waste, and transform plant culture.
- Team Development & Coaching:Lead, mentor, and empower shift supervisors, technicians, and operators; set performance KPIs, resolve conflicts, and drive accountability across all shifts.
- Technical Process Optimization:Act as the subject matter expert in plastics processing (resin behavior, tooling, cycle times, wall thickness) to optimize parameters and troubleshoot complex issues.
- Safety & Compliance:Enforce strict adherence to safety (OSHA, EHS) regulations and quality management systems (ISO, SQF, or GMP) to ensure a safe, compliant work environment.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration:Partner with Maintenance, Quality, and Supply Chain to minimize unplanned downtime, implement preventive maintenance, and manage scrap rates.
Qualifications- Experience:5+ years of leadership/management experience in a plastics manufacturing facility, specifically withprofile/sheet extrusionorextrusion/injection blow molding.
- Change Leadership:Proven track record of leading change management, improving employee engagement, and transforming plant culture.
- Continuous Improvement:Demonstrated hands-on experience applying Lean Manufacturing, 5S, TPM, and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) methodologies.
- Education:Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Plastics, Mechanical, Industrial) or Business Operations, or an equivalent combination of technical training and hands-on manufacturing leadership.
- Technical & Business Acumen:Strong understanding of resin characteristics, machinery troubleshooting, labor management, operational budgeting, and ERP/MES software (e.g., IQMS, SAP).
Benefits- Compensation:Competitive base salary with an annual performance-based bonus incentive.
- Health & Wellness:Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage starting on day one.
- Financial Security:401(k) retirement plan with generous company matching, plus life and disability insurance.
- Paid Time Off:Generous PTO policy, paid sick leave, and company-paid holidays.
- Growth & Development:Tuition reimbursement programs, continuous technical training, and clear pathways for executive leadership advancement.
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