Production Manager

Top Job

Located in Indianapolis, IN

Salary: $120-$140K+

Production Manager – Automotive Manufacturing (Startup Environment)

Location: Greenwood, Indiana
Compensation: $120,000–$140,000 base (potential flexibility up to $160,000 for exceptional fit) + Benefits, Holidays, Vacation

Role Overview

The Production Manager is responsible for leading day-to-day production operations at NEW U.S. automotive manufacturing facility as the site ramps up into serial production. This role focuses on executing established production systems, managing shift leaders, and ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality output in a high-volume automotive manufacturing environment.

This position is hands-on and execution-focused, with overall production strategies, long-term planning, and global initiatives defined by the parent organization in Sweden. The Production Manager plays a critical role in bringing those strategies to life on the shop floor, empowering frontline leaders and driving operational discipline during startup and launch

Key Responsibilities

Production & Daily Operations

• Lead and manage day-to-day production activities, including staffing, scheduling, throughput, and delivery performance
• Ensure production targets for safety, quality, output, and efficiency are consistently met or exceeded
• Actively manage production issues, constraints, and deviations in a fast-paced startup environment
• Support ramp-up from launch through stable serial production in a high-volume automotive setting

People Leadership

• Directly lead and develop Shift Leaders / Supervisors, providing guidance, coaching, and clear expectations
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement on the shop floor
• Support training, onboarding, and skill development plans for production teams
• Participate in performance feedback, employee development discussions, and workforce planning in partnership with HR

Quality & Standardized Work

• Ensure adherence to standardized work instructions, processes, and operating procedures
• Support product and process quality in serial production through disciplined execution of:
• Control plans
• SPC
• PFMEA
• Layered audits and problem-solving activities
• Drive containment, corrective actions, and root cause analysis for production-related quality issues

Continuous Improvement & Operational Discipline

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, efficiency, scrap reduction, and process stability
• Support implementation of lean manufacturing principles and structured problem-solving methods
• Ensure a safe, organized, and efficient work environment across production areas
• Collaborate closely with Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering functions to support production stability

Qualifications & Experience

• Required automotive manufacturing experience in a high-volume production environment
• Minimum 5+ years of leadership experience in production or manufacturing operations
• Proven experience leading hourly production teams and front-line supervisors
• Strong understanding of:
• Automotive quality systems
• Standardized work
• Continuous improvement tools
• Structured problem-solving methods
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related technical field preferred
• Experience supporting production launches or startup environments is a plus

How to apply: Email me your resume at Erin.Ricke@expresspros.com or call me at 317-300-9501 Monday-Friday between 8am-5pm. Visit our office in person: 201 S. Emerson Ave. Greenwood, IN 46143

About Us: Serving South Central Indiana, The Specialized Recruiting Group specializes in Contract and Direct Hire placements in Industrial Leadership, Engineering, Accounting and Finance, and Skilled Manufacturing. There are no fees for our services; we are a Human Resource Solutions company assisting businesses in finding top talent. We have been hired directly by our companies to find them the best candidate for the job!

Apply Now