Production Manager- Mechanical in Elkhorn, Wisconsin at READER PRECISION SOLUTIONS

The Mechanical Production Manager at Reader Precision Solutions provides leadership and operational oversight for the Company's mechanical machining operations, including the Escomatic and Tornos/Bechler production departments. This position is responsible for ensuring daily production execution, staffing, scheduling, machine utilization, KPI performance, and employee accountability across all assigned teams.

Leading through a team of Production Leads, this role is responsible for driving operational excellence, supporting employee development, improving productivity, coordinating resources, and fostering strong communication between Production, Engineering, Quality, Materials, and other support departments. The Mechanical Production Manager serves as the operational leader for the mechanical side of the facility while promoting a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, safety, and respect.

Work Schedule:

This is a full-time, benefits eligible, salaried exempt position requiring 40 hours per week. Workload demands may occasionally require extended hours (45+ hours/week) to meet business and production needs. Flexibility is provided to support work-life balance.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Department Leadership & Oversight

• Provide leadership and direction across all assigned mechanical machining departments.
• Lead and develop the Production Leads responsible for Escomatic and Tornos/Bechler operations.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for production issues, staffing concerns, and operational decisions.
• Promote a positive, respectful, and high-performance culture aligned with Reader Precision Solutions' Core Values.
• Establish clear expectations and hold team members accountable for safety, quality, productivity, and attendance.

Production Scheduling & Workforce Coordination

• Oversee daily machine and labor assignments through the Production Leads based on client priorities.
• Coordinate production schedules with Planning and Materials to maximize throughput and on-time delivery.
• Develop weekend schedules and staffing plans as necessary.
• Balance labor resources across mechanical departments to optimize productivity and training progression.
• Monitor machine capacity and recommend adjustments based on production demands.

KPI Performance & Operational Execution

• Partner with leadership to ensure assigned departments achieve Company KPI targets, including:
• Scrap reduction
• Efficiency and uptime goals
• Setup approval rates
• Individual MRB percentage performance

Additional responsibilities include:

• Monitor department metrics and identify trends requiring corrective action.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that improve productivity, reduce waste, and increase operational efficiency.
• Ensure production priorities remain aligned with client commitments.

Employee Leadership, Accountability & Development

• Coach, mentor, and develop Production Leads and production team members.
• Conduct performance reviews and support employee SMART goal development.
• Lead employee accountability conversations, corrective actions, performance improvement plans, and termination recommendations in collaboration with HR.
• Identify succession planning opportunities and develop future Production Leads.

Training & Operational Excellence

• Ensure effective onboarding and training plans are in place for new & existing employees.
• Identify skill gaps and coordinate cross-training opportunities.
• Support standardized work practices and consistent production methods across departments.
• Reinforce adherence to established production processes and work instructions.

Equipment Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Work closely with Engineering and Maintenance to maximize machine uptime and equipment reliability.
• Assist in prioritizing machine repairs, preventative maintenance efforts, and capital improvement opportunities.
• Identify opportunities to improve machine efficiencies, reduce downtime, and increase capacity.
• Support implementation of new technologies, tooling improvements, and process enhancements.

Cross-Functional Communication

• Maintain effective communication between Mechanical Production and:
• Engineering
• Quality
• Materials
• Production Planning
• Client Relations
• Maintenance
• Participate in daily production meetings and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Communicate production status, resource needs, and operational challenges to leadership.

Safety & Quality Leadership

• Promote a safe working environment and reinforce Company safety expectations.
• Ensure employees follow established quality standards, inspection procedures, and work instructions.
• Support a clean, organized, and efficient manufacturing environment utilizing 6S principles.
• Partner with Quality and Engineering to quickly resolve production and quality concerns.

• Five or more years of manufacturing leadership experience in a precision machining environment, with demonstrated expertise operating and managing Escomatic and/or Tornos/Bechler equipment.
• Proven experience leading production teams, preferably through Production Leads or Supervisors, with a strong focus on employee development, accountability, and performance management.
• Strong understanding of mechanical Swiss machining processes, machine setups, tooling, troubleshooting, workflow optimization, and production scheduling.
• Demonstrated ability to drive KPI performance, including productivity, efficiency, machine utilization, scrap reduction, and on-time delivery.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement initiatives, and implementing process enhancements that improve operational performance.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient with ERP systems and production reporting tools, with the ability to analyze production data and make informed operational decisions.
• Ability to lead in a fast-paced manufacturing environment while fostering a positive, accountable, and solutions-oriented culture.
• Ability to work effectively across departments in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Willingness and capability to hold tough, honest accountability conversations while supporting employee growth and improvement.
• Strong emotional intelligence and professionalism when navigating employee relations, conflict resolution, and performance expectations.

Benefits & perks of joining the Reader Precision Solutions team include: RPS team members enjoy a challenging & fast-paced work environment in a high-tech manufacturing facility named the 35th and 37th Annual Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year. Our work environment is extremely clean, well lit, organized (5S), & climate-controlled. In addition, our team thrives in a supportive culture that provides engaged leadership, ongoing recognition for performance results, and a great benefits package.

• Competitive wages (paid weekly on Thursday's)
• 8% of base pay shift differential (2nd and 3rd shift)
• Benefits begin the month following 30 days of employment: health insurance with points based, holistic wellness program, dental, life, & disability insurance
• Partnership with a near site local clinic for FREE health services including primary and preventative care, walk in visits, labs, prescriptions, etc.
• FREE vision insurance!
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with up to 4.5% company match (immediately vested!)
• Vacation accrual starts upon hire - accrue up to 2.5 weeks in first year!
• 9 paid holidays with up to two discretionary holidays
• Education assistance up to $5,250 annually (after 12 months of service)
• Professional development opportunities – internal and external (cross-departmental training, PMPA conferences, IMTS-Chicago, local technical colleges/universities, & more…)
• Career advancement – ongoing training & mentoring with opportunity to grow your skills
• Performance bonus – potential to receive a discretionary year-end bonus based on individual and group performance
• Company paid Short-Term Disability policy
• Company events – team lunches, summer picnic event, holiday party
• Company zoo pass to Milwaukee County Zoo
• Voluntary pet insurance
• Holistic wellness program – earn up to $700 in incentives through points accumulation for accomplishing a variety of wellness activities. Also offered by the Company are employer paid onsite flu shots, biometric screenings, free health coaching and MUCH more!
• Employer paid life insurance – $50,000 policy with options for voluntary life up to $400,000 benefit maximum
• Financial planning resources and onsite financial wellness workshops
• Employer subsidized work shoes and safety glasses program
• Reader Precision Solutions branded attire – $100 annual allowance
• Employee Referral bonus – $1,000
• Satisfying work…leaving work at the end of the day knowing that the GREAT work you do is meaningful and appreciated by the Company, our clients, and end users who benefit from the high-quality components we manufacture for them!

Innovation – we apply creative solutions to exceed expectations internally and externally. We deliver creative solutions by pursuing continuous improvement, challenging the limits of conventional thinking to drive positive change, and engaging our clients to achieve synergy. Empowerment – we equip our employees to succeed. We nurture success by setting realistic goals and standards; with accountability and regular performance feedback, providing training opportunities for growth and learning and offering employees a safe and modern work environment. Integrity – our reputation is everything. We preserve and enhance our reputation by operating with the highest ethical standards, focusing on client needs, and contributing positively to our community and environment. Respect – we act with honor in all our interactions. In our interactions, we accept and value individual differences, work together with a positive attitude and promote open and honest communication in a team-based environment.