We are seeking an experienced Night Production Manager to lead manufacturing operations across second and third shifts within a large, unionized production environment. This role is ideal for a seasoned production leader with previous experience managing manufacturing teams, overseeing shift operations, and driving safety, quality, productivity, and continuous improvement.
Position Responsibilities
Production Operations
- Lead production activities across second and third shifts, ensuring safe, efficient, and consistent operations.
- Oversee daily manufacturing activities and ensure production targets, quality standards, and delivery requirements are met.
- Manage approximately 20–25 employees across each shift.
- Coordinate production priorities, staffing, workflow, and resource allocation.
Team Leadership
- Directly manage 2–3 production supervisors and provide leadership, coaching, and performance guidance.
- Hold teams accountable for safety, quality, productivity, and operational standards.
- Foster a collaborative and performance-driven work environment.
- Partner with other departments to resolve operational issues and maintain effective plant operations.
Safety and Quality
- Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with established safety procedures and regulations.
- Monitor production quality and address issues promptly.
- Ensure employees follow appropriate manufacturing procedures and quality standards.
Process Improvement
- Identify opportunities to improve production efficiency, reduce waste, and optimize manufacturing processes.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives and implement operational best practices.
- Analyze production performance and develop solutions to recurring operational challenges.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with engineering, maintenance, quality, and other plant functions to support production goals.
- Communicate shift performance, issues, and priorities to plant leadership.
- Support smooth transitions between shifts and maintain effective communication across teams.
Prerequisites
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Previous experience as a Production Manager, Shift Manager, or similar manufacturing leadership role.
- Proven experience managing production teams in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience overseeing multiple shifts or large production teams.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, safety, quality, and productivity.
- Experience working in a unionized manufacturing environment is highly beneficial.
- Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work primarily during evening and overnight hours.
- Ability to effectively manage teams and operations in a fast-paced production environment.
Certifications (Preferred, but not Required)
- Relevant manufacturing, safety, lean manufacturing, or continuous improvement certifications are preferred.
- Additional technical or engineering credentials are a plus.
What the Role Offers
- Salary Range: $135,000–$155,000 per year.
- Target Bonus: 12%.
- Leadership responsibility over multiple production shifts and frontline supervisors.
- Opportunity to influence manufacturing performance, safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
- A significant leadership role within a large-scale manufacturing operation.
- Exposure to diverse industrial applications, including adhesives used across roofing, automotive, aerospace, and other specialized markets.
- Opportunity to work with cross-functional teams and contribute to ongoing operational improvements.
Why South Bend?
South Bend offers a strong manufacturing and industrial environment, making it an excellent setting for an experienced production leader. The area provides access to a skilled manufacturing workforce, established industrial infrastructure, and a variety of industries where operational leadership and technical expertise are highly valued.