Manager, Production

Overview

Knauf Insulation North America is the world's fastest-growing insulation manufacturer. We are wholly committed to the conservation of the environment while also sustainably developing and manufacturing a comprehensive line of acoustical fiberglass insulation for residential, commercial, industrial, marine, OEM and metal building applications, using post-consumer recycled materials.

We welcome passionate and creative individuals who thrive in an entrepreneurial, collaborative and ever-changing environment. 

Our benefits go beyond just providing coverage. 

We’re committed to the whole you – your health, wealth, peace of mind, self and community. 

Our benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision – starting on day one!
• Virtual Medical Services
• Fertility and adoption benefits
• 401(k) Retirement Plan (earn 100% matching on your first 6% contribution and fully vested day one)
• Paid parental leave
• Paid Family Leave
• Company provided Salary Continuance (Short-term Disability)
• Company paid life insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO) 
• Paid Holidays
• Vacation
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Plus, more!

Growth opportunities available! 

Apply online or contact us to hear why our employees appreciate being part of the Knauf family!

About the Role:

As a Production Manager, you will lead the Production Department with a sharp focus on safety, driving the creation of high-quality products with maximum efficiency. Inspires and empowers Production Supervisors and team members through coaching and mentorship, ensuring ambitious production goals are achieved. Champions open communication to address challenges head-on while proactively uncovering innovative ways to enhance and streamline processes for continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Be a champion of safety, ensuring the health and well-being of every employee remains the top priority
• Lead and inspire production teams, coaching employees and supervisors to unlock their full potential and achieve outstanding results
• Immerse yourself in the heart of operations by spending time on the production floor daily, engaging with employees across all shifts to observe, connect, and create a space for open dialogue and innovation
• Build meaningful relationships by learning about employees’ professional goals and aspirations, helping them grow and succeed
• Celebrate wins—big and small—by recognizing individual and team achievements, fostering pride and motivation in the workplace
• Gain a 360° view of operations by rotating shifts, including evenings and nights, to understand team dynamics and workflows firsthand
• Create an inclusive environment where every employee feels valued, supported, and empowered to contribute, no matter their role or shift
• Drive excellence by achieving ambitious quality, productivity, and efficiency goals in alignment with the Site Master Business Plan
• Collaborate with leadership to innovate and refine processes through cutting-edge continuous improvement initiatives like Lean and Six Sigma
• Solve challenges head-on by investigating customer quality complaints, identifying root causes, and implementing solutions to prevent future issues
• Ensure compliance with ISO and KIMS standards, maintaining the highest levels of quality and consistency
• Strategically manage employee schedules, training, and resources to meet production demands while fostering a culture of growth and development
• Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, and Process Engineering teams to optimize plant performance and implement game-changing solutions
• Build strong labor relations by addressing challenges proactively and working closely with Human Resources to maintain a positive work environment
• Set the standard for workplace excellence by maintaining impeccable housekeeping and conducting regular audits to identify and act on improvement opportunities
• Empower employees to take ownership of their workspace by involving them in process improvements and recognizing their contributions
• Use data-driven insights to prepare reports, evaluate new product proposals, and align operations with customer needs and expectations
• Lead dynamic daily HPT meetings, driving collaboration and alignment across teams
• Take ownership of department budgets, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to achieve goals
• Drive the highest levels of employee retention and engagement to ensure a sustainable workforce
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability within the organization
• Instill an environment of inclusion, where all employees feel that they can contribute and impact the company in a positive manner

Business Acumen: Understands the business and makes decisions to navigate it successfully. Has the potential to grow knowledge and expertise 

• Market Analysis – Understands market trends and competitive dynamics  
• Strategic Thinking - Navigates complex business environments and creates strategies to reach company goals.  Envisions future scenarios and makes decisions that align with the company’s overall objectives.  Prioritizes and adapts to meet goals and execute strategic action plans  
• Problem-Solving - Develops practical solutions to solve problems.  Handles unexpected or challenging situations in an effective way  Determines the source of an issue and comes to a viable solution   
• Analytical Thinking - Gathers, collects, and analyzes data and forms connections and makes decisions.  Sees problems or scenarios from different perspectives   
• Leadership - Guides team, making pivotal decisions, and fostering a productive work environment.  Inspires and motivates employees, improves team performance, and ensures alignment with the company’s vision, values, and goals.  Leads change by creating plans, managing resistance, and communicating the need for change  
• Effective Communication - Articulates ideas, collaborates with others, and facilitates clear and concise exchanges of information.  Builds relationships. Manages conflicts    

Financial Acumen: has a basic understanding and uses financial data to make informed decisions. Has the potential to grow knowledge and expertise  

• Understands financial concepts and processes and makes informed decisions to maximize profits and decrease loss 
• Understands financial performance metrics such as EBITDA  
• Analyzes and interprets relevant financial reports and statements  
• Prepares, implements, and manages budgets and make informed financial decisions   
• Manages financial indicators 
• Determines if cost or investments are worth pursuing and influences approval based on the benefits it would bring the plant and company 

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Management, or a related field

Experience:

• 5 - 8 years of production experience in an industrial manufacturing environment
• At least 5 years of management or supervisory experience in a similar setting
• Proven expertise in Continuous Improvement (CI) and Lean implementation

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis and corrective action implementation
• Effective communicator, capable of engaging with plant teams and senior leadership
• Leadership abilities to coach, mentor, and manage teams while setting and achieving measurable goals
• Proficient in project planning, resource allocation, and leadership techniques
• Knowledge of ERP systems (e.g., SAP) and industrial safety practices
• Skilled in project management, troubleshooting, negotiation, and active listening
• Strong organizational, time management, and interpersonal skills
• Proficient in MS Word and Excel, with excellent public speaking and presentation abilities
• Detail-oriented, dependable, and flexible to work additional hours or travel (10–15%)
• Demonstrates humility, adaptability, and the ability to handle multiple responsibilities with minimal supervision

It is the policy of Knauf Insulation to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or any other protected characteristic prohibited by applicable law.