Production Manager

Crane 1 Services is seeking an experienced, results-driven Production Manager to lead manufacturing operations, optimize production efficiency, drive continuous process improvements, and ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality industrial material lifting equipment.

Success in this role requires more than maintaining production schedules. We are looking for a leader who can evaluate existing manufacturing processes, implement measurable improvements, develop employees, and build a reliable, high-performing production operation that supports increased customer demand and long-term business growth.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Operations & Production Management

• Lead and oversee daily manufacturing operations, including fabrication, welding, machining, assembly, and production of industrial material lifting equipment and components.

• Develop, implement, and manage production schedules to ensure customer orders are completed on time, within budget, and according to quality specifications.

• Evaluate manufacturing capacity, workforce utilization, equipment availability, and production workflows to maximize operational efficiency and throughput.

• Identify and eliminate production bottlenecks, unnecessary downtime, inefficient workflows, and other operational constraints.

• Establish clear production priorities, performance expectations, and accountability across manufacturing teams.

• Monitor production costs, labor efficiency, material utilization, and overall manufacturing performance to improve profitability.

• Coordinate with engineering, procurement, project management, and sales teams to align manufacturing capabilities with customer requirements and delivery commitments.

• Ensure production resources, materials, equipment, and staffing are effectively allocated to meet current and anticipated customer demand.

Continuous Improvement & Process Optimization

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on increasing productivity, reducing manufacturing costs, improving quality, and shortening production lead times.

• Analyze existing manufacturing processes and identify opportunities to streamline operations, eliminate waste, and improve workflow efficiency.

• Implement Lean Manufacturing principles, 5S, Kaizen, root cause analysis, and other continuous improvement methodologies where appropriate.

• Develop and standardize manufacturing procedures, work instructions, and production processes to improve consistency and repeatability.

• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), including production throughput, on-time delivery, labor productivity, scrap, rework, and equipment downtime.

• Use production data and performance metrics to identify trends, implement corrective actions, and measure improvement results.

• Identify opportunities for equipment upgrades, tooling improvements, automation, and process enhancements that improve operational capacity and return on investment.

Quality Control & Quality Assurance

• Establish and maintain a strong quality-focused manufacturing environment that consistently meets customer specifications, engineering requirements, and applicable industry standards.

• Oversee quality control and quality assurance processes throughout fabrication, machining, assembly, testing, and final product inspection.

• Develop and implement standardized quality inspection procedures, production checkpoints, and corrective action processes.

• Investigate quality issues, manufacturing defects, customer complaints, and product nonconformances to identify root causes and implement sustainable corrective actions.

• Reduce scrap, rework, warranty-related issues, and manufacturing defects through proactive quality management and process improvements.

• Ensure compliance with applicable AWS welding standards, ASME/ANSI requirements, OSHA regulations, and internal quality procedures.

• Promote a culture in which quality is built into the manufacturing process rather than relying solely on final inspections.

Customer Satisfaction & Business Growth

• Drive manufacturing performance improvements that strengthen customer confidence, increase repeat business, and support new business opportunities.

• Improve production responsiveness, lead-time reliability, and product quality to strengthen Crane 1's competitive position.

• Support customer visits, manufacturing reviews, technical discussions, and resolution of production-related concerns.

• Collaborate with sales and estimating teams to evaluate manufacturing feasibility, production capacity, labor requirements, and cost estimates for new business opportunities.

• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing capabilities, expand production capacity, and support additional customer requirements.

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide direct leadership, coaching, and performance management to manufacturing supervisors, production leads, welders, fabricators, machinists, and assembly personnel, as applicable.

• Identify employee training needs and implement cross-training and skills development initiatives to improve workforce flexibility and production capacity.

• Build a culture of continuous improvement, teamwork, ownership, and accountability.

• Conduct regular production meetings to communicate priorities, review performance, address operational challenges, and reinforce safety and quality expectations.

• Participate in workforce planning, staffing decisions, employee development, and performance evaluations.

Safety, Compliance & Operational Accountability

• Maintain a safe manufacturing environment and ensure compliance with OSHA requirements, company safety policies, and applicable industry regulations.

• Identify and address workplace hazards, unsafe operating practices, and equipment-related safety concerns.

• Maintain accurate production records, quality documentation, operating procedures, and performance reports.

• Manage production budgets and monitor operating expenses, labor costs, and material usage to support financial objectives.

Qualifications

Required Experience & Education

• 5–7+ years of progressive manufacturing operations experience, including demonstrated leadership responsibility within an industrial manufacturing, metal fabrication, machining, heavy equipment, or material handling environment.

• Proven experience managing production teams, manufacturing workflows, production scheduling, and operational performance.

• Demonstrated success implementing process improvements that have increased productivity, reduced costs, improved quality, or shortened manufacturing lead times.

• Strong understanding of manufacturing quality control and quality assurance practices, including inspections, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and process standardization.

• Experience managing manufacturing budgets, labor utilization, production costs, and operational performance metrics.

• Working knowledge of fabrication, welding, machining, mechanical assembly, and industrial manufacturing processes.

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, fabrication prints, technical specifications, and manufacturing documentation.

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related discipline preferred. Equivalent relevant manufacturing leadership experience will be considered.

Skills & Competencies

• Operational Efficiency: Proven ability to evaluate production processes, identify inefficiencies, and implement measurable operational improvements.

• Continuous Improvement: Experience applying Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, Six Sigma, or similar process improvement methodologies.

• Quality Management: Strong understanding of quality assurance, quality control, inspection processes, and corrective action procedures.

• Manufacturing Leadership: Ability to lead, develop, motivate, and hold production teams accountable for performance.

• Financial Acumen: Understanding of manufacturing costs, labor efficiency, productivity, operating budgets, and profitability.

• Technical Knowledge: Familiarity with metal fabrication, welding, machining, industrial equipment manufacturing, and mechanical assembly.

• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify root causes and implement sustainable solutions.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with engineering, procurement, sales, project management, and customer-facing teams.

• Customer Focus: Understanding of how product quality, manufacturing responsiveness, and on-time delivery contribute to customer satisfaction and repeat business.

• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence employees, management, and cross-functional stakeholders.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and experience using ERP/MRP systems for production planning, inventory management, and manufacturing reporting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience manufacturing overhead cranes, hoists, industrial lifting equipment, heavy machinery, or engineered-to-order industrial products.

• Experience leading manufacturing operations involving custom fabrication, welding, machining, and mechanical assembly.

• Demonstrated experience implementing Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma initiatives with measurable operational results.

• Familiarity with AWS welding standards, ASME B30, OSHA regulations, and applicable industrial equipment quality requirements.

• Experience developing or improving manufacturing quality management systems.

• Knowledge of production planning, capacity management, inventory control, and ERP/MRP systems.

• Experience partnering with sales or estimating teams to support new customer opportunities and manufacturing capacity expansion.

• Experience improving manufacturing operations in a growing or evolving business environment.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Success in this role will be measured by the Production Manager's ability to improve manufacturing performance, product quality, customer satisfaction, and overall profitability.

• On-Time Delivery: Consistently meet committed customer production and delivery schedules.

• Production Efficiency: Improve manufacturing throughput, labor productivity, and overall production capacity.

• Cost Reduction: Reduce manufacturing waste, unnecessary overtime, scrap, rework, and controllable production expenses.

• Quality Performance: Improve first-pass quality, reduce defects and customer complaints, and strengthen quality assurance processes.

• Continuous Improvement: Implement measurable process improvements that increase operational efficiency and manufacturing consistency.

• Customer Satisfaction: Improve product reliability, delivery performance, and responsiveness to support customer retention and repeat business.

• Team Performance: Develop a productive, safety-focused manufacturing team with strong accountability and employee engagement.

• Profitability: Improve manufacturing margins through effective cost management, resource utilization, and operational execution.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Crane 1 Services is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are committed to providing an inclusive workplace where employees are valued and have opportunities to grow professionally.