Production Manager - Nonwoven Manufacturing

Production Manager - Nonwoven Manufacturing Greater Hickory Area $80,000-$90,000 *flex to go up depending on exp We are partnering with a well-established manufacturing organization seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead day-to-day production operations within a fast-paced industrial manufacturing environment. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for driving production performance, employee engagement, safety, quality, and continuous improvement initiatives across a multi-shift operation. Responsibilities: - Lead daily production activities to ensure safety, quality, delivery, and productivity goals are achieved - Manage staffing, scheduling, labor utilization, and workforce development - Partner with maintenance and quality teams to minimize downtime and improve operational performance - Monitor KPIs and production metrics to identify opportunities for improvement - Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, waste reduction, and throughput - Coach, mentor, and develop supervisors and production employees - Maintain a strong culture of accountability, teamwork, and safety Qualifications: - 5+ years direct experience within nonwoven manufacturing, engineered materials, filtration products, specialty materials, converting, or similar production environments - Experience leading production teams in a manufacturing environment - Strong background in production planning, scheduling, staffing, and performance management - Experience with Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, or operational excellence initiatives - Proven ability to lead teams and improve production performance - Strong communication and leadership skills Highly Preferred - Experience leading multi-shift manufacturing operations - Strong understanding of production flow, quality systems, process improvement, and equipment reliability