Production Manager Jobs in Illinois
Production Manager jobs in Illinois are in active demand, with consistent openings concentrated in food and beverage manufacturing, industrial equipment, plastics, and printing industries, at every level from entry-level supervisory roles through senior plant leadership. The strongest hiring markets are Chicago, Rockford, and the broader Chicagoland suburban corridor, where major manufacturers like Caterpillar, Kraft Heinz, and Motorola Solutions maintain large Illinois operations. The most sought-after specialties in Illinois postings include lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and high-volume consumer goods production. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Production Manager
Reporting to the Sr. Dir, Site Operations, this role is responsible for managing manufacturing operations and employees for a designated value stream, with full accountability for results in terms of cost, methods, quality and quantity of work performed
As a Production Manager you will:
- Lead the designated value stream to meet and improve schedule dates, reduce process times, reduce inventory levels and increase the utilization of resources
- Lead production team to meet daily output targets and value streams
- Ensure orders are pulled and shipped according to the plant pull schedules while maintaining FIFO
- Minimize / eliminate shipping discrepancies
- Investigate Cycle loss and implement corrective actions
- Partner with Operational Excellence to establish value stream priorities in line with future state and business strategy
- Research new processes and equipment that might improve throughput and productivity
- Monitor production schedules and results and inform management and peers regarding production delays and other related issues
- Work with Supply Chain, QA and Planning regarding parts, inventory and quality issues
- Assist supervisors in the evaluation and improvement of manufacturing processes, through lean concepts and Six Sigma, while driving a lean culture
- Drive team toward execution of business goals using Lean manufacturing methodology
- Lead and mentor a manufacturing workforce consisting of approximately 90 employees including supervisors, team leaders, and hourly production workers
- Ensure the quality and timely manufacture and delivery of customer orders
- Promote a working environment that encourages employee involvement to achieve excellence in productivity, customer service and quality
- Ensure coordination and cooperation between departments to meet company objectives
- Assist in creation and compliance of the department’s annual budget
- Oversee problem resolution to address operational and mechanical problems and the analysis for reoccurrence prevention
- Set priorities with the assistance of the Plant Manager
- Confer with other department heads to ensure coordination of purchasing, production, and shipping to meet the department and company goals
- Institute policies and controls for cost-cutting and research new processes and equipment that may improve throughput and profitability
- Evaluate and update the performance of team members against their job requirements and performance goals within the time frame designated for their position level Review performance or all subordinates and all salary adjustments for the Viper team
- Review disciplinary actions to ensure consistency and policy compliance
- Ensure compliance with Corporate Safety Policies, OSHA and EPA Standards
- Respond to and resolve department emergencies
- Be responsible for executing business goals supporting safety, quality, cost and delivery objectives
We are looking for someone who:
- Has a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Manufacturing related field
- Has at least 3 years of supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment
- Possesses 3-5 years’ experience in low volume/high mix, engineered and built to order manufacturing environment
- Has extensive knowledge and leadership in the principles and practice of Lean, Six Sigma, 5P and/or other continuous improvement models; participated in related improvement projects
- Holds a proven record of initiative, problem solving and the ability to recognize and implement improvements
- Has experience working with customized engineered products
- Is a strong team player
- Is a strong problem-solving skills
- Has the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within and across departments and the company to support organization strategies
- Has the ability to maintain the professional competence, knowledge, and skill necessary for the performance of all assigned responsibilities
- Has the ability to teach others, mentor and communicate effectively with all levels of the organization
- Has superior coaching and communication skills
- Has the willingness to work overtime as needed (including possible weekends as production needs dictate)
Ideally you will also have:
- Experience in the power equipment industry desirable
The work environment of the job is:
- General Office Environment, PC use
- Light Lifting (occasional 25 lbs or less)
- Stooping
- Standing
What we offer you:
Typical pay is $96,555 – $125,563 annually.
Please note the pay information shown above is a general guideline. Pay is based upon candidate skills, experience, and qualifications.
This position is eligible for participation in our Quarterly Incentive Pay Program
G&W Electric offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Short and Long-Term Disability
- Life Insurance
- Health club membership program and reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program
- Tuition Reimbursement
- 401 (k)
- Annual Profit Sharing
- Vacation
- Air-conditioned/heated state-of-the-art manufacturing facility
About G&W Electric
Innovating since 1905, G&W Electric has grown into a global leader in engineered electrical power grid solutions. Working with us means joining a worldwide team of passionate manufacturing professionals striving to continually improve the technologies the world depends on to deliver safe, reliable electricity. Our culture is focused on employee success, so we foster an entrepreneurial environment that encourages everyone to thrive.
Learn more about our company by watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMtAhsdYeUQ
G&W Electric enjoys a long reputation for product quality, innovation and world-class customer service to the power industry. We have established this reputation by believing that our greatest asset is our employees. We owe our success to the initiative and talents of highly skilled individuals within our team-based organization. Our goal is to set the standard for customer satisfaction by ensuring a superior level of service, performance and innovation. As a global organization and industry leader, we are committed to cultivating an engaging work environment that embraces our core values and develops our talent. Our continuous focus on growth and innovation means that you become part of a company that provides challenging opportunities, rewards excellence and combines your individual expertise to achieve a higher level of shared success. As part of our organization, you also help power the world!
G&W Electric is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employees and applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. G&W Electric participates in the E-Verify process for all new hires.
- G&W Electric participates in the E-Verify process for all new hires.
VEVRAA Federal Contractor
See All 95 Production Manager Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Production Manager JobsProduction Manager Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Production Manager Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Power Home Remodeling11

- EY6

- Yellowstone Landscape4

- Walmart2

- Krispy Kreme2

Top Industries Hiring
- Accounting & Auditing
- Chemicals & Materials
- Retail
- Manufacturing
- Food & Beverage
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in production manager jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in manufacturing, industrial engineering, or a related field preferred by Illinois employers
- Proven experience managing production lines or plant operations in a manufacturing environment
- Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies such as Six Sigma
- Ability to oversee scheduling, staffing, and output targets across multi-shift Illinois facilities
- Experience with ERP systems and production tracking software used in Illinois manufacturing operations
- Strong safety compliance knowledge aligned with OSHA standards applicable to Illinois production environments
Production Manager Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a production manager in Illinois?
Most production managers in Illinois follow a path that starts with a bachelor's degree in manufacturing, engineering, operations, or business, combined with floor-level experience in a production or operations role. Illinois does not require a state-issued license for production managers, but employers across Chicagoland and downstate manufacturing hubs strongly favor candidates with Lean Six Sigma certification and demonstrated supervisory experience gained in Illinois's food processing, industrial, or consumer goods sectors.
Which companies hire production managers in Illinois?
Employers hiring production managers in Illinois right now include Power Home Remodeling, EY, and Yellowstone Landscape, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's concentration of large food manufacturers, industrial equipment producers, and consumer goods companies means demand for production managers is spread across both the Chicago metro and downstate manufacturing corridors.
Which Illinois cities have the most production manager jobs?
Chicago, Naperville, and Schaumburg have the most production manager openings in Illinois. Chicago and its suburban ring drive the bulk of postings because of the region's dense concentration of food processing plants, packaging operations, and industrial manufacturers, while cities like Rockford anchor significant demand through their longstanding heavy manufacturing and aerospace supply chain industries.
Are there remote production manager jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Production managers are fundamentally on-site roles tied to physical plant oversight, staffing, and equipment, so fully remote positions are uncommon. About 13% of production manager openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those tend to cover planning, scheduling coordination, or multi-site oversight functions that can be handled off the floor.
How can I get hired as a production manager in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a production supervisor or shift lead role at a large Illinois manufacturer such as those in the Chicago food processing corridor or Rockford's industrial sector, then building toward a manager title from within. Caterpillar, Kraft Heinz, and similarly scaled Illinois employers run structured associate and rotational operations programs that accept candidates from adjacent roles like quality technician, logistics coordinator, or production planner. Earning a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification gives candidates a measurable edge in Illinois listings even before they hold a manager title.
Where can I find and apply to production manager jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to production manager jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across manufacturing sectors and hiring regions. Find the roles that fit your experience and apply directly.
See All 95 Production Manager Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Production Manager Jobs