Production Manager Jobs in Illinois

Job Overview

We are looking for a hands-on Plant Production & Operations Manager to oversee our daily recycling and manufacturing operations.

This position will manage approximately 10 employees across two shifts and be responsible for keeping our people, equipment, production, and workflow operating efficiently.

The Plant Production & Operations Manager will oversee daily production, employee scheduling, workflow, equipment issues, quality, safety, and production goals. This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who is comfortable being on the plant floor, directing employees, solving problems, and taking ownership of keeping the operation moving.

What You’ll Do

• Manage and direct approximately 10 employees across two production shifts
• Schedule employees and assign daily responsibilities based on production needs
• Plan and coordinate daily production activities to meet company goals and customer deadlines
• Oversee the processing and recycling of scrap tires
• Direct tire recycling , material handling, and trailer loading
• Keep employees, equipment, and materials moving efficiently through the production process
• Monitor production output, workflow, and employee productivity
• Identify bottlenecks, downtime, and production problems and take action to correct them
• Help troubleshoot equipment problems and work closely with maintenance to get machines back up and running
• Coordinate with logistics and management to ensure trailers are loaded and orders are ready when needed
• Monitor product quality and address production issues before they become larger problems
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized plant environment
• Make sure employees follow safety procedures, company policies, and proper operating procedures
• Train, coach, and develop employees while holding the team accountable for performance
• Maintain good communication between shifts so important information and production priorities are not lost
• Track basic production information and use it to identify opportunities to improve efficiency
• Look for ways to reduce downtime, minimize waste, improve workflow, and increase productivity
• Take ownership of continuous improvement throughout the plant
• Communicate production needs, equipment problems, employee concerns, and other important issues to ownership and management
• Step in and help wherever needed to keep production moving

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone who can lead people AND run a production floor.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Previous experience in plant production, manufacturing, recycling, warehouse operations, or a similar environment
• Experience supervising or managing a production team
• Strong mechanical aptitude and equipment troubleshooting skills
• Experience scheduling employees and coordinating multiple shifts
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
• The ability to prioritize work and keep production moving during busy periods
• Strong communication skills and the ability to give clear direction
• The ability to coach employees while also holding them accountable
• Basic computer skills for production records, scheduling, and communication
• A strong work ethic and willingness to be hands-on in the plant
• The ability to work independently and make good decisions without needing constant direction

The Right Person for This Job

This position is for someone who doesn’t just watch production — they own the production process.

We need someone who can walk onto the plant floor and know:

What needs to be done?
Who needs to do it?
What equipment needs attention?
What’s slowing us down?
And what needs to happen next?

You should be comfortable making decisions, directing employees, solving problems, and working with maintenance and management to keep the plant moving.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this position means:

• Employees know what is expected of them each shift
• Production stays on schedule
• Equipment downtime is addressed quickly
• Tires move efficiently through the recycling process
• Recycling and trailer loading stay on schedule
• Employees are held accountable
• Safety and quality standards are maintained
• Communication between shifts is strong
• Production becomes more efficient over time

About the Position

If you’re an experienced production leader who enjoys a fast-paced, hands-on environment and takes pride in keeping a plant running efficiently, we’d like to talk to you.

Pay: $75,200.00 - $90,200.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Operations management: 5 years (Required)

Language:

• Spanish (Required)
• English (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Joliet, IL 60436 (Required)

Work Location: In person