Production Manager

Job Description: This role leads all production and warehouse activities within a high-growth, technology-driven organization that designs and manufactures integrated hardware and software systems for major retail environments. The Production Manager drives operational excellence through data-driven decision-making, Lean Six Sigma methodologies, and disciplined execution across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people performance. The position owns throughput optimization, process stability, inventory accuracy, and labor efficiency while building scalable systems that support rapid business growth. The Production Manager partners closely with Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain to reduce variation, improve product quality, and enhance customer outcomes, while developing high-performing teams through strong leadership and high emotional intelligence.

Responsibilities: Lead and own end-to-end production and configuration operations, ensuring alignment with safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people (SQDCP) performance targets. Establish, calculate, and manage key operational KPIs including efficiency, First Pass Yield (FPY), Defects per Unit (DPU), On-Time In Full (OTIF), inventory turns, and labor utilization. Ensure accuracy, integrity, and daily visibility of all operational performance data, and drive accountability through a disciplined KPI review cadence. Analyze KPI trends and performance data to identify gaps, prioritize improvement activities, and drive measurable operational outcomes. Conduct time studies and cycle time analysis to establish accurate labor standards, validate efficiencies, and identify capacity opportunities. Continuously evaluate and improve cycle times, line balance, and throughput performance to optimize productivity and meet customer demand. Assess and redesign manufacturing layouts, workstations, and material flow paths to improve efficiency, eliminate waste, and support scalable growth. Align production operations to takt time and demand signals, ensuring balanced flow and minimizing overproduction and waiting. Lead structured root-cause analysis using tools such as 5-Why, Fishbone (Ishikawa), A3, DMAIC, and 8D to resolve operational and quality issues. Identify process variation, system constraints, and inefficiencies, and implement corrective and preventive actions that deliver sustainable performance improvements. Drive waste elimination across all areas of production and warehouse operations, including motion, waiting, defects, inventory, overproduction, and over-processing. Own inventory reduction initiatives through improved demand alignment, Kanban systems, and material flow optimization. Monitor and improve inventory performance, including days on hand, aging, excess, and obsolete materials. Partner cross-functionally with Materials, Quality, and Engineering teams to align supply, improve flow, and reduce operational constraints. Develop and execute production schedules, labor plans, and sequencing strategies that align with customer demand and operational capacity. Monitor daily production performance, including output, downtime, and labor efficiency, and adjust operations proactively to meet targets. Ensure adherence to standardized work, process discipline, and operational controls to drive consistency and repeatability. Own quality performance by driving improvements in FPY and DPU through process control, data analysis, and defect reduction initiatives. Support new product introduction (NPI) through manufacturability analysis, pre-production builds, and validation of process capability. Promote and enforce a proactive safety culture with full accountability for safe work practices and continuous risk reduction. Lead, coach, and develop supervisors and team members in Lean principles, problem-solving methodologies, and data-driven decision-making. Build a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement through strong leadership and high emotional intelligence. Develop and implement scalable systems, standard work, and operational controls aligned with Lean and Quality Management System (QMS) principles. Drive continuous improvement initiatives aligned with business objectives, focusing on throughput, cost reduction, and operational efficiency. Improve operational visibility through dashboards, reporting tools, and digital systems to enable real-time decision-making. Collaborate with facility and maintenance teams to ensure manufacturing, warehousing, housekeeping, and facility operations support safe and efficient production. Perform other related duties as assigned to support overall manufacturing and warehouse performance. Essential Skills 58+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, warehouse, or production operations with demonstrated ownership of operational performance outcomes. Proven experience leading operations in a light manufacturing and warehouse environment, including production, material flow, inventory management, and facility operations. Minimum of 5 years of experience in manufacturing or warehouse operations leadership. Demonstrated application of Lean Manufacturing principles, including 5S, line flow optimization, Kanban systems, standard work, and line balancing, with measurable improvements in efficiency and throughput. Strong working knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies, including Lean Six Sigma principles and structured problem-solving tools such as 5-Why, Fishbone/Ishikawa diagrams, A3, DMAIC, and 8D.Proven ability to manage and improve operational performance using KPIs, metrics, and data-driven decision-making. Experience calculating and analyzing key operational metrics, including efficiency, cycle time, First Pass Yield (FPY), Defects per Unit (DPU), On-Time In Full (OTIF), and inventory performance. Demonstrated experience conducting time studies, cycle time analysis, and labor modeling to establish standards and improve productivity. Strong understanding of production flow, capacity planning, bottleneck identification, and throughput optimization. Experience managing production and warehouse teams, including supervisors and frontline employees, with responsibility for performance, engagement, and development. Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and the ability to extract, analyze, and interpret operational data. Working knowledge of manufacturing, warehousing, plant housekeeping, and facility maintenance operations. Bachelors degree in engineering, operations management, supply chain, mathematics, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Lean Six Sigma certification at Green Belt level or higher, or demonstrated equivalent experience applying structured continuous improvement methodologies. Strong analytical thinking with the ability to translate data into actionable operational improvements. High emotional intelligence with the ability to influence, coach, and develop individuals and teams. Advanced problem-solving capability using structured methodologies such as 8D, 5-Why, and root cause analysis. Effective communication skills across all levels of the organization, including frontline teams and senior leadership. Strong business acumen with an understanding of cost drivers, labor efficiency, and operational performance. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Outlook, along with experience using ERP/MRP systems to analyze data, generate reports, and support data-driven decision-making. Demonstrated commitment to safety procedures and safe work practices in a manufacturing and warehouse environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications: Experience in light manufacturing within a warehouse environment is strongly preferred. Experience leading production in an industrial product environment is a plus. Experience working in an electronic product manufacturing environment is a plus. Experience in manufacturing engineering, industrial manufacturing, or electronics manufacturing is beneficial. Experience with Lean manufacturing tools such as 5S, line balancing, Kanban, and manufacturing layout redesign. Familiarity with safety procedures and rules related to shop floor and warehouse operations. Experience implementing and managing KPIs and dashboard-based performance reporting. Exposure to Black Belt-level continuous improvement practices or advanced Lean Six Sigma projects is an advantage. Ability to improve operational visibility through digital systems, dashboards, and reporting tools. Comfort working in high-growth, technology-driven environments where processes and systems continue to evolve.

Work Environment: The role operates in both a shop floor and office environment, with a significant amount of time spent on the production floor overseeing manufacturing and warehouse activities. Standard work hours follow a Monday through Friday daytime schedule. The position requires the ability to stand, walk, sit, and move throughout the facility for extended periods while conducting production oversight, engaging with teams, and performing operational reviews. The environment includes light manufacturing and warehouse operations, where adherence to safety procedures, housekeeping standards, and facility rules is essential. The Production Manager works closely with cross-functional teams and uses ERP/MRP systems, digital dashboards, and standard office productivity tools to monitor and improve operational performance.

Job Type & Location: This is a Permanent position based out of Arlington, TX.

Pay and Benefits: The pay range for this position is $95000.00 - $115000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Benefits include: medical, dental, vision, 401K, 401K matching, Paid sick days, paid holidays, and bereavement leave. life/disability coverage Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Arlington, TX.Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Oct 14, 2026.About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a Clearly Rated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options. San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.