Production Manager

THE ROLE

The Production Manager is responsible for the safe, efficient, and profitable operation of the Chicopee manufacturing facility across all three shifts. This role provides hands-on leadership to the shift Tech Leads, drives production planning and execution, and ensures the facility consistently meets customer delivery, quality, and cost commitments. The Production Manager reports directly to the General Manager and serves as a key member of the facility's leadership team.

ORGANIZATIONAL:

• The ability to effectively plan and organize production timelines to ensure timely delivery and efficient workflow.
• Skill in managing and optimizing the coordination of tasks across different departments to enhance productivity.
• The capability to track and report key performance metrics, allowing for informed decision-making and continuous improvement.

INTERPERSONAL:

• The ability to foster strong relationships with customers through effective communication, ensuring satisfaction and timely issue resolution.
• Skilled in training and mentoring employees, promoting collaboration, accountability, and a positive work culture.
• The capacity to address and resolve issues effectively, serving as a technical resource for troubleshooting and guiding teams through challenges.

EFFICIENCY:

• The ability to identify operational inefficiencies and implement solutions to enhance throughput and reduce waste.
• Skilled in leading and supporting initiatives aimed at improving process efficiency and minimizing downtime.
• The capability to track and analyze key performance indicators related to productivity, cost, quality, and safety to drive informed improvements.

PRIMARY ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own day-to-day production operations for CNC machining of turbine airfoils, seals, diaphragms, and related hardware across all three shifts, ensuring continuity and consistent performance shift to shift.
• Foster strong customer relationships by ensuring satisfaction, timely communication, and issue resolution.
• Directly supervise, coach, and develop the Tech Leads on each shift; hold regular shift hand-off and communication meetings to ensure alignment on priorities, open issues, and safety concerns.
• Build and manage production schedules in coordination with planning, sales, and engineering to meet customer delivery commitments and optimize machine and labor utilization.
• Monitor and drive key performance indicators including on-time delivery, OEE/machine utilization, scrap and rework rates, labor efficiency, and safety incident rates; lead corrective action when targets are missed.
• Partner with Quality Assurance to resolve nonconformances, support root cause / corrective action activities, and maintain compliance with applicable quality systems (ISO 9001) and customer specifications.
• Work with Maintenance to prioritize CNC machine uptime, preventive maintenance schedules, and capital equipment needs; escalate equipment issues that put schedule or safety at risk.
• Coordinate with Materials/Supply Chain and Purchasing to ensure raw material, tooling, and fixture availability supports the production plan.
• Champion a strong safety culture; ensure compliance with OSHA and company safety policies, and lead incident investigation and prevention efforts.
• Drive continuous improvement using lean manufacturing and/or Six Sigma methods to improve throughput, reduce waste, and lower unit costs.
• Manage staffing levels, overtime, and shift coverage across three shifts; participate in hiring, onboarding, training, performance reviews, and disciplinary actions for production staff.
• Ensure accurate and timely completion of production documentation, travelers/routers, and data entry in the ERP/MRP system.
• Provide regular reporting on production performance, staffing, and operational issues to the General Manager and participate in facility leadership meetings
• Maintain a visible, hands-on presence on the shop floor across shifts, including regular off-hours and weekend coverage as business needs require.

ADDITIONAL ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

The above list of activities is not all inclusive but a general representation of the requirements of an RMS Production Manager. This list is subject to change based on the needs of the company.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 7 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in a CNC machining environment, ideally within aerospace, power generation, or precision turbine component manufacturing.
• MInimum 3 years of experience managing multi-shift (24/7 or near-continuous) production operations.
• Experience supervising working leads or supervisors, with a demonstrated track record of developing frontline leadership talent.
• Solid working knowledge of CNC machining processes (multi-axis milling and turning), tooling, and precision-machined component manufacturing.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, and GD&T.
• Familiarity with quality systems such as AS9100 or ISO 9001, and with formal nonconformance / corrective action processes.
• Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies (5S, Kaizen, value stream mapping).
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Office/Excel).
• Strong leadership and people-management skills, with the ability to motivate and hold accountable teams working across multiple shifts.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly with the General Manager, peers, customers, and shop-floor personnel.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make sound decisions under time pressure.
• Ability to manage competing priorities across three shifts and adjust plans quickly in response to schedule, quality, or equipment issues.

REQUIRED EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and relevant manufacturing leadership experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This position will be based full-time in our Chicopee facility located in Chicopee, MA 
• This is a full-time position, with a minimum expectation of 40 hours per week. Additional hours, including evenings or weekends, may be required based on project needs.
• Ability and willingness to lift objects weighing up to 30 lbs. (50 lbs. with assistance), walk, climb, reach, kneel, crawl, and balance.
• Must be able to use hands for assembly and tool usage.
• While performing the duties of this position the employee will be required to stand, sit, bend and walk for significant portions of the shift 
• Must not have allergies or issues related to handling metals including aluminum, copper, bronze, and steel.
• This position can be required to participate in the company random or customer specific drug and alcohol screening and background check.
• Able to understand, read, write, and speak English.
• Authorized to work in the United States.
• RMS Inc. may have government contracts that impose specific requirements on employees working on those projects. If an employee does not meet these requirements, they may be reassigned to a different location or be ineligible to work on certain assignments. 

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this position, the employee will be regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts. While the work area may be described as generally clean, safe, and "not loud", there will be machining operations that generate moderate noise and metal particles.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive Pay
• Paid Time Off
• Medical / Dental / Vision
• 401k 
• Employee Incentive Programs
• Employee Reimbursement Programs

Come Join Rotating Machinery Services Inc. and watch your Career go TURBO! Visit www.rotatingmachinery.com to learn more about who we are and what we do.

ABOUT RMS

Rotating Machinery Services (RMS Inc.) was established in 1998 with the vision to reinvent the concept of an aftermarket turbomachinery business. The goal was to provide turbomachinery operators with unparalleled service based on established relationships, solid engineering, and technical expertise—all backed by responsiveness in competitive prices and lead times.  RMS’ commitment to quality penetrates every aspect of the organization and in the guiding force for all decision making. With an equal blend of cutting-edge technology, engineering experience, and the work of skilled crafts people, RMS continuously delivers the best possible results to customers. RMS is a nimble organization with a collaborative culture of individuals who come to work every day with a desire to improve upon their craft and further the rotating machinery industry.

RMS Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.