Production Manager

Illinois Tool Works · Waterbury · $105,000–$132,000 (stated in the posting)

Job Description:

Position Objective

The Production Manager provides leadership and direction for day-to-day manufacturing operations, including Production, Finishing, Inspection, Shipping and Receiving, Production Control, and Building Maintenance, as assigned. This position is accountable for building a safe, engaged, and high-performing team that consistently achieves customer requirements and business objectives for safety, quality, delivery, productivity, inventory, and cost.

The Production Manager converts business priorities into daily operating plans, removes barriers to performance, develops supervisors and employees, and partners with Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Human Resources, and other functions to drive continuous improvement and sustainable results.

Essential Functions

Lead daily manufacturing activities to achieve established safety, quality, delivery, productivity, inventory, and cost targets.
Translate customer demand and production requirements into clear priorities, staffing plans, schedules, and execution expectations.
Monitor production performance throughout each shift; address constraints, escalate risks, and coordinate recovery plans when results are off target.
Ensure products are manufactured, inspected, packaged, and shipped in accordance with customer specifications, quality requirements, and delivery commitments.
Promote a strong safety culture through visible leadership, employee involvement, hazard identification, timely corrective actions, and consistent compliance with company and regulatory requirements.
Maintain accurate and timely inventory balances, production transactions, material movement, and related records; investigate and correct discrepancies.
Lead continuous-improvement activities that reduce waste, improve flow and labor productivity, strengthen quality, increase equipment effectiveness, and lower conversion cost.
Use operating data and structured problem-solving methods to identify root causes, implement corrective actions, and verify that improvements are sustained.
Establish and maintain standard work, operating procedures, visual controls, production documentation, and management routines.
Partner with Production Control, Supply Chain, Maintenance, Engineering, and Quality to align capacity, materials, equipment, labor, and production priorities.
Support new-product launches, process changes, equipment installations, customer requirements, and other operational projects.
Ensure preventive-maintenance needs, facility concerns, and equipment issues are identified, prioritized, and coordinated with the appropriate resources.
Maintain effective housekeeping, workplace organization, and 5S standards throughout assigned areas.
Provide leadership with accurate and timely information regarding performance, staffing, risks, customer concerns, and improvement priorities.

People Leadership

Lead, coach, and develop supervisors and employees; establish clear responsibilities, decision authority, performance standards, and accountability.
Build an inclusive, respectful, and team-oriented work environment that encourages employee involvement and open communication.
Evaluate staffing requirements and work with Human Resources to recruit, select, onboard, transfer, and separate employees in accordance with company policy and applicable law.
Identify skill gaps and ensure employees receive appropriate job, safety, quality, leadership, and cross-training.
Conduct timely performance reviews, establish meaningful goals, recognize strong performance, and address performance or conduct concerns consistently.
Support succession planning and create development opportunities that strengthen leadership capability and workforce flexibility.
Maintain positive employee relations by listening, responding to concerns, applying policies consistently, and partnering with Human Resources when needed.
Ensure timekeeping, attendance, overtime, scheduling, and other workforce practices are administered accurately and consistently.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred. A combination of education and directly related manufacturing leadership experience may be considered.
Experience: Seven or more years of progressive experience in a manufacturing environment, including at least three years leading supervisors or production teams, preferred.
Operations knowledge: Demonstrated knowledge of production planning, labor management, inventory control, quality systems, equipment reliability, and manufacturing cost management.
Continuous improvement: Experience applying lean-manufacturing, 5S, standard work, root-cause analysis, and other structured improvement methods.
Systems: Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and experience using ERP/MRP, production-reporting, inventory, or similar manufacturing systems.
Industry experience: Experience in metal stamping, deep draw, machining, automotive, or another high-volume manufacturing environment is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Strong leadership presence with the ability to set direction, develop people, and hold teams accountable for results.
Working knowledge of manufacturing safety, quality, production, inventory, maintenance, and cost-control practices.
Ability to interpret production schedules, performance data, customer requirements, financial information, and operational metrics.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make timely decisions in a fast-paced environment.
Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate across shifts, functions, and organizational levels.
Ability to manage competing priorities, respond to changing customer needs, and maintain focus on long-term improvements.
Sound judgment, integrity, resilience, and a hands-on approach to leading operations.
Commitment to safety, product quality, customer service, continuous improvement, employee development, and respect for others.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

This position works in both office and manufacturing environments and requires regular presence on the production floor. The employee must be able to walk through manufacturing and warehouse areas, observe equipment and processes, communicate in an active production setting, and occasionally stand, bend, reach, or lift materials consistent with site requirements. Required personal protective equipment must be worn in designated areas. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Additional Expectations

Must be available to support multiple shifts and respond to urgent operational issues outside normal business hours when necessary.
Occasional travel to customers, suppliers, or other ITW locations may be required.
This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications.
ITW is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics.

Compensation Information:

$105,000 - $132,000 anually

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential.

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

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