Production Manager
The Production Manager leads daily manufacturing operations in a low-volume, high-mix production environment, overseeing production personnel, driving operational efficiency, and ensuring safety, quality, and output targets are consistently met. This role plays a pivotal part in launching and ramping up a new production line for a patcher vehicle product line, establishing processes, building teams, and creating sustainable operational structure as the line grows. The position is ideal for a hands-on manufacturing leader who balances strong people leadership with disciplined operational execution and continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage daily production operations within a low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environment.
- Oversee production personnel, including approximately 20 employees per production line and 23 direct reports.
- Manage labor allocation and staffing based on production demand, flexing manpower to meet changing schedules and priorities.
- Own and track key production KPIs and operational metrics to drive performance, efficiency, and on-time delivery.
- Provide direct coaching, mentorship, and performance management to supervisors and production employees to build a high-performing team.
- Drive accountability across the production floor, setting clear expectations and following through on performance standards.
- Plan and schedule production activities to align resources, materials, and timelines with customer and business requirements.
- Support new product introductions and the implementation of new production lines, including the launch and ramp-up of the patcher vehicle line.
- Create, document, and refine production processes, workflows, and standard operating procedures to ensure consistency and scalability.
- Identify, lead, and execute continuous improvement and process improvement initiatives to enhance safety, quality, throughput, and cost performance.
- Ensure compliance with all safety, quality, and production standards, fostering a culture of safe work practices and quality ownership.
- Coordinate multiple projects, production priorities, and deadlines simultaneously, adjusting plans as needed to meet business objectives.
- Collaborate with leadership and cross-functional partners to align operational strategies with organizational goals.
- Build and sustain a positive team culture focused on employee development, engagement, and retention.
- Lead the production organization through periods of growth and change, helping the team adapt to new processes, products, and performance expectations.
Essential Skills
- Proven production management experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience leading teams of 12 or more employees in a production setting.
- Demonstrated experience managing production lines and manufacturing operations.
- Strong understanding and ownership of production KPIs and operational metrics.
- Experience with manpower planning, labor allocation, and labor utilization.
- Proven ability to lead, coach, develop, and retain employees while driving accountability.
- Hands-on experience with process improvement and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Experience in production planning, scheduling, and coordinating multiple priorities.
- Project management experience related to production, process changes, or line implementations.
- Experience launching new products or implementing new manufacturing processes.
- Ability to manage diverse personalities and build cohesive, high-performing teams.
- Strong organizational skills and comfort overseeing approximately 20 employees per production line and 23 direct reports.
- Manufacturing experience, with clear preference over distribution, retail, hospitality, or service-oriented leadership environments.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Agricultural equipment manufacturing experience.
- Heavy equipment, machinery, or industrial manufacturing experience.
- Low-volume, high-mix manufacturing experience.
- Experience with new product launch or production startup environments.
- Lean manufacturing experience and familiarity with lean tools and principles.
- Technical, industrial technology, or manufacturing-related education.
- Experience creating, documenting, and implementing manufacturing processes.
- Ability to build operational structure and introduce effective workflows and standards.
- Comfort wearing multiple hats and balancing people leadership with production performance.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to influence across levels and functions.
Why Work Here?
You will join a growing manufacturing organization where your leadership directly shapes a new production line and its long-term success. The role offers high visibility, with direct access to decision-makers and the opportunity to influence workflows, build processes, and drive meaningful operational improvements. You will have the chance to shape team culture, support employee development, and lead a diverse set of projects in a low-volume, high-mix environment that provides variety and ongoing challenges. A streamlined interview process and engaged leadership create an efficient and responsive hiring experience.
Work Environment
The role is based within an agricultural and industrial manufacturing facility operating as a low-volume, high-mix environment, completing approximately 80 units or projects per month. The operation focuses on complex builds rather than high-volume assembly, offering exposure to a wide variety of products and configurations. A new patcher vehicle production line is being introduced, giving the Production Manager the opportunity to help establish production flow, processes, and standards from the ground up. The environment suits someone who enjoys building structure, driving accountability, and leading teams through growth and operational change. The position requires a strong manufacturing mindset and comfort managing both people and production performance in a dynamic, hands-on shop floor setting.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Fresno, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $110000.00/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. Full benefits when hired on by PBL.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Fresno, CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 31, 2026.