Production Manager

Since 1965, Stoneridge has designed and manufactured advanced, award-winning technologies including driveline and transmission actuation systems, vision systems, emissions control systems, safety systems, and security and monitoring systems for vehicle OEMs in the commercial vehicle, automotive, off-highway and agricultural vehicle markets. We're focused on the areas of greatest market need – both today and tomorrow. Our core products and technologies are aligned with industry megatrends including safety and security, vehicle intelligence, fuel efficiency and emissions. Join the Stoneridge Team as we continue to build upon our strong history and reputation for quality products to deliver innovative products and systems that address a need, exceed our customers' expectations, and motivate our team.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Production Manager is a hands-on operations leader responsible for all aspects of manufacturing performance, including safety, quality, delivery, and cost. This position is highly visible on the shop floor and is expected to lead by example—working directly with production supervisors, team leaders, and operators to identify and eliminate waste, resolve issues in real time, and drive Lean Manufacturing implementation throughout the facility.

The Production Manager will play a critical role in shaping the company's operational culture, embedding standardized processes, and building a foundation for continuous improvement and world-class manufacturing performance.

PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Hands-On Leadership

• Maintain a strong daily presence on the production floor—coaching, mentoring, and engaging with employees at all levels.
• Lead daily Gemba walks and tiered accountability meetings to review performance and address issues immediately.
• Set clear expectations for performance, safety, and housekeeping, and hold teams accountable for results.
• Collaborate directly with maintenance, engineering, and quality to solve problems quickly and prevent recurrence.
• Model a proactive, "go and see" leadership approach—resolving challenges where the work happens.

Lean Manufacturing Implementation

• Lead the deployment and sustainment of Lean Manufacturing principles, tools, and behaviors across production operations.
• Champion 5S, value stream mapping, standardized work, visual management, and continuous flow initiatives.
• Facilitate Kaizen events focused on reducing waste, improving ergonomics, and increasing throughput.
• Partner with Industrial and Process Engineering to optimize cell layouts, material flow, and changeover performance.
• Develop and track key Lean metrics (OEE, first-pass yield, setup time reduction, etc.) and report progress to leadership.

Operational Performance

• Manage all production activities to meet or exceed targets for safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Monitor daily production schedules and labor utilization to meet customer requirements.
• Analyze downtime, scrap, and rework data to identify root causes and implement permanent corrective actions.
• Collaborate with planning and logistics to optimize scheduling and inventory flow.
• Support launch readiness and engineering change implementation with minimal production disruption.

Team Development & Culture

• Build a high-performance production team through training, coaching, and empowerment.
• Promote open communication and collaboration between operators, team leads, and management.
• Recognize team contributions and celebrate Lean success stories to build engagement and ownership.
• Drive a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement at all levels of the organization.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or related field preferred (equivalent experience considered).
• 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in automotive or high-volume manufacturing.
• 3+ years in a production management role with demonstrated success implementing Lean Manufacturing.
• Experience in a medium-automation environment (robots, conveyors, PLCs, or semi-automated work cells).

Skills & Competencies

• Deep understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles and proven ability to implement and sustain them.
• Strong floor presence with hands-on approach to problem-solving and leadership.
• Excellent coaching and interpersonal skills with ability to motivate cross-functional teams.
• Skilled in root cause analysis, visual management, and continuous improvement tools (A3, 8D, PDCA).
• Proficiency in Excel, Power BI, or other performance tracking tools; familiarity with ERP/MRP systems
• Strong communication and presentation skills, capable of influencing at all levels.

LOCATION AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimal travel, as needed for problem resolution

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Stoneridge is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by the applicable laws in the countries we operate. Stoneridge also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories.