Production Manager

Job Title: Production Manager

Job Description

The Production Manager plays a pivotal first-line leadership role in ensuring efficient day-to-day factory operations with a strong focus on safety, quality, reliability, and on-time performance. This position drives the "4Z" mindset-Zero Injury, Zero Defect, Zero Downtime, and Zero Lates-through visible leadership on the factory floor and continuous improvement initiatives. The role requires close coordination with multiple support functions to enable collaborative decision-making, balance business priorities, and support ongoing growth within a highly invested, carbon-conscious business unit. This is an on-site, night-shift position based in Richmond, with planned future development opportunities and the potential to move into a hybrid schedule once fully trained.

Responsibilities

• Lead and model a strong safety culture by conducting daily safety inspections and weekly audits to drive continuous improvements in personal protective equipment and machinery safeguards.
• Identify health, safety, and environmental hazards on the factory floor and partner with safety teams to implement factory-wide corrective and preventive actions.
• Champion and sustain daily 5S routines to maintain high standards of workplace organization, cleanliness, and visual control.
• Spend 80-90% of time on the factory floor to actively monitor operations and drive achievement of the 4Z goals: Zero Injury, Zero Defect, Zero Downtime, and Zero Lates.
• Analyze ERP transactions and production data to identify deviations, determine root causes, and implement corrective measures to stabilize and improve processes.
• Monitor equipment downtime trends and lead performance improvement activities to increase uptime, reliability, and throughput.
• Manage the night shift team, including 2 Team Leaders and approximately 12-16 Team Members, ensuring effective communication, clear expectations, and smooth shift handovers.
• Plan and execute recruitment and capacity planning based on 3-6-month factory load forecasts to ensure adequate staffing and capability.
• Oversee goal setting, annual performance reviews, and professional development plans for team members to build capability and engagement.
• Identify and implement cross-training opportunities to increase workforce flexibility and resilience across production areas.
• Drive continuous improvement and Lean initiatives, including Kaizen events, to identify and eliminate waste in time, motion, and inventory.
• Report all safety or quality deviations immediately and coordinate rapid corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Review existing Standard Operating Procedures regularly and propose technical optimizations to improve safety, quality, and efficiency.
• Interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and machine reports to support troubleshooting, process improvements, and production planning.
• Use ERP systems, MS Office tools, AutoCAD, and data analysis to monitor performance, support decision-making, and communicate results.
• Optimize the bottom line through proactive cost management, including labor, materials, and equipment utilization.
• Track reported hours and maintain an accurate competence matrix for the team, ensuring skill coverage aligns with operational needs.
• Maintain high 5S scores for assigned cells and teams and ensure full adherence to all corporate policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with engineering, maintenance, quality, and other support functions to coordinate projects, capital improvements, and process changes that support business goals.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Mechanical Engineering or Industrial Engineering, or a related field with relevant experience.
• 3-5 years of experience in maintenance, production, or quality within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• 1-2 years of experience in people management, leading teams in an operational setting.
• Strong ability to interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and machine reports to support operations and troubleshooting.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and advanced skills in MS Office applications for reporting, analysis, and communication.
• Experience with AutoCAD for reviewing or supporting mechanical or process designs.
• Demonstrated capability in process improvement and production management within an engineering or industrial context.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and drive performance improvements based on quantitative insights.
• Proven track record of driving safety, quality, and operational excellence, including adherence to the 4Z metrics (Zero Injury, Zero Defect, Zero Downtime, Zero Lates).
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to work beyond standard 8-hour shifts when required and adapt to dynamic business cycles.
• Effective leadership, communication, and team-building skills to manage and develop a diverse night shift workforce.
• Commitment to maintaining high 5S standards and enforcing compliance with corporate policies and procedures.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Lean or Six Sigma certification is preferred and supports the continuous improvement focus of the role.
• Background in mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, or engineering management is highly beneficial.
• Experience as a mechanical engineer, project engineer, or in engineering management within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Familiarity with process improvement methodologies and capital improvement projects in a production setting.
• Exposure to design and mechanical systems, with the ability to collaborate effectively with engineering teams.
• Experience using warehouse management systems in addition to ERP systems is advantageous.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate cross-functional initiatives and balance multiple business priorities.
• Interest in growing a career within a business unit that offers opportunities for advancement both within the United States and internationally.
• Motivation to contribute to a facility that is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

Work Environment

This role is based on-site in a manufacturing and assembly factory environment in Richmond, operating on a night shift schedule from Sunday through Thursday, 9:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. The primary work setting is a climate-controlled facility, where the Production Manager spends the majority of time on the factory floor overseeing operations and a portion of time at a desk performing planning, analysis, and coordination tasks. The position involves regular interaction with production, engineering, maintenance, quality, and safety teams, using technologies such as ERP systems, warehouse management systems, MS Office, AutoCAD, and various data analysis tools. While most work occurs in a clean, organized, and 5S-driven environment, the role includes approximately 15-25% site visits to customer or partner locations, which may include very dirty or unpleasant industrial settings such as meat processing facilities and wastewater treatment plants. The culture emphasizes safety, continuous improvement, collaboration, and professional growth, supported by significant investment in the business unit and a strong commitment to sustainability, including a goal of operating a carbon-neutral plant by 2030. Once fully trained and established in the role, there may be an opportunity to work in a hybrid arrangement, balancing on-site presence with remote support responsibilities. Dress expectations align with a professional manufacturing environment and include appropriate personal protective equipment during factory and site visits.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Richmond, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $80000.00 - $90000.00/yr.

We offer a challenging position in an open and friendly environment where we help each other to develop and create value. Your work will have a true impact on Alfa Laval's future success. Our benefits-eligible associates enjoy healthcare, dental and vision plans, a robust wellness program, generous 401(k), paid holidays, paid time off benefits, and more. At Alfa Laval, we carefully consider a wide range of factors to determine your total compensation package.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Richmond,VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 5, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email ... for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.