Job Description

The Production Manager is responsible for overseeing all daily manufacturing operations within a steel fabrication facility producing industrial cabinets, material handling equipment, and rolling ladder stands. This role ensures production targets are met safely, efficiently, and with high quality, while driving continuous improvement and maintaining cost control.

About Us

Valley Craft Industries is a leading manufacturer of high-quality metal storage and material-handling products used by customers nationwide. We offer stable, year-round work in a clean, organized, and safety-focused environment, with strong opportunities for long-term career growth.

Key Responsibilities:

Production Operations

• Lead and manage all shop floor activities, including fabrication, welding, forming, assembly, and finishing (e.g., powder coating).
• Develop and execute daily and weekly production schedules to meet customer demand and on-time delivery (OTD) goals.
• Monitor throughput, bottlenecks, and capacity; adjust resources as needed.
• Ensure proper staffing levels and cross-training to support production needs.

Safety & Compliance

• Enforce all safety policies and ensure compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.
• Lead safety initiatives, audits, and incident investigations.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability and continuous improvement.

Quality Management

• Ensure products meet engineering specifications and customer requirements.
• Partner with Quality to reduce defects, rework, and scrap.
• Implement root cause analysis and corrective actions for quality issues.

Team Leadership & Development

• Supervise production supervisors, leads, and hourly employees.
• Provide coaching, performance management, and training.
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive Lean Manufacturing initiatives using tools such as 5S, Kaizen, and Six Sigma.
• Improve efficiency, reduce waste, and optimize workflow and layout.
• Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs).

Inventory & Materials Management

• Coordinate with supply chain to ensure availability of raw materials (sheet steel, hardware, components).
• Manage WIP levels and minimize excess inventory.
• Support cycle counting and inventory accuracy initiatives.

Maintenance & Equipment

• Partner with maintenance to ensure uptime of key equipment (press brakes, turret presses, weld cells, powder coat lines).
• Support preventative maintenance programs.
• Identify and justify capital equipment needs.

Key Performance Metrics (KPIs)

• On-Time Delivery (OTD)
• Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
• Labor Efficiency / Productivity
• Scrap and Rework Rates
• Safety Incident Rate (TRIR)
• Inventory Turns / WIP Levels

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or related field (preferred).
• 5–10+ years of experience in manufacturing, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Experience in metal fabrication, welding, or industrial equipment manufacturing strongly preferred.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of fabrication processes: laser cutting/punching, forming, welding, and finishing.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and production scheduling tools.
• Understanding of blueprints, BOMs, and routings.

Leadership & Soft Skills

• Proven ability to lead teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and organizational abilities.

Preferred Experience (Nice to Have)

• Experience with engineered-to-order or configure-to-order products.
• Background in GMAW/MIG welding
• Background in powder coating or metal finishing operations.
• Lean certification or formal continuous improvement training.

Work Environment

• Industrial manufacturing setting with exposure to noise, moving equipment, and varying temperatures.
• Regular presence on the shop floor required.
• May require occasional extended hours to meet production demands.