Production Manager - Site Leader

Judge Direct Placement is partnering with a rapidly growing manufacturer entering a pivotal chapter: the acquisition of a brand-new facility. We are seeking an ambitious Production Manager who wants to do more than just run a line—they want to help build the plant.

You will join the team during the facility purchase stage, serving as a key stakeholder in the layout, equipment commissioning, and team scaling. Once the facility is live, you will transition into the permanent Site Leader, owning the full manufacturing lifecycle. No prior startup experience is required, but a "builder’s mindset" and a desire to own the entire process from the ground up are essential.

Phase 1: The Build-Out & Strategy (Initial Phase)

• Purchasing & Integration: Participate in facility walkthroughs and due diligence to ensure the building meets future production capacity and workflow needs.

• Facility Layout: Work with leadership to design the floor plan, optimize material flow, and oversee the installation and testing of new machinery.

• Standard Setting: Develop the "playbook" for the new site—establishing safety protocols, shift structures, and production SOPs from scratch.

• Talent Acquisition: Identify and hire your foundational production team, setting the culture and expectations for the facility from day one.

Phase 2: Production Leadership (Ongoing Operations)

• Production Oversight: Lead daily manufacturing operations to meet volume, quality, and delivery targets as the facility goes live.

• Budget & P&L Ownership: Manage labor costs, scrap rates, and capital expenditures as the location scales toward full capacity.

• Continuous Improvement: Use your expertise to refine processes as the facility transitions from "launch mode" to "growth mode."

• Culture Leadership: Build a high-performance environment where safety, quality, and accountability are non-negotiable.

Who You Are

• The Motivated Manager: You’ve successfully managed manufacturing teams or departments and are ready for a role with more "skin in the game."

• Detail-Oriented & Visionary: You can spot a bottleneck in a floor plan just as easily as you can see the long-term potential of the site.

• Problem Solver: You aren't rattled by the unpredictability of a new facility (permitting delays, equipment tweaks, etc.) and enjoy the "puzzle" of a startup.

• Effective Communicator: You can bridge the gap between corporate strategy and shop-floor execution.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment (Production Manager, Ops Manager, or high-level Supervisor).

• Strong understanding of Lean manufacturing principles and process optimization.

• A background in managing production KPIs and departmental budgets.

• The X-Factor: A genuine desire to learn the "behind-the-scenes" of facility acquisition and equipment commissioning.

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