Production Manager

Job Title: Production Manager

Location: Union Grove, WI

Compensation: $82,000- 85,000 a year + Bonus Plan

Shift: First Shift, Full-Time

Shape Your Future in Leadership with American Roller!

Since 1938, American Roller Company has been the leader in industrial rollers and coatings. Guided by the American Roller Way, we prioritize safety, innovation, quality, and continuous improvement. We empower our people and drive customer success with cutting-edge solutions in the rubber and polymer industries. With multiple facilities across the United States, we’re looking for skilled individuals to join our team.

We’re preparing now to recruit for this position for 2026, and we’re seeking a Production Manager to lead our Mill Room operations in Union Grove, WI with a clear path to advance into the Plant Manager role.

This is a hands-on, high-impact leadership opportunity for someone who thrives in a low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environment and is passionate about driving continuous improvement, operational excellence, and team development.

The Production Manager will oversee all Mill Room operations, ensuring safety, quality, flow, and productivity targets are met while managing costs and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. You’ll take ownership of performance metrics tied to safety, waste reduction, efficiency, and financial performance, while also developing your leadership skills under the mentorship of plant leadership. This role is ideal for a forward-thinking, results-driven leader who brings energy, passion, and process discipline to everything they do.

• Lead day-to-day production in the Mill Room, ensuring safe, efficient, and quality-driven operations.
• Drive Lean initiatives to improve workflow, material movement, and overall production efficiency.
• Reduce waste and improve throughput by applying value stream mapping, standard work, and 5S principles.
• Manage low-volume, high-mix production challenges through scheduling, flexibility, and process optimization.
• Partner with cross-functional teams (Engineering, Supply Chain, Sales, and Quality) to deliver seamless production flow and on-time delivery.

• Manage and monitor budgets, forecasting, and cost control to achieve operational and financial targets.
• Identify and execute cost-reduction initiatives while maintaining quality and delivery standards.
• Track performance metrics for waste reduction, utilization, and productivity, ensuring alignment with company goals.
• Support strategic planning and continuous improvement projects across the facility.

• Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing team through coaching, feedback, and recognition.
• Create a culture that values accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Lead performance reviews, set measurable goals, and develop succession planning within the Mill Room.
• Communicate clearly across departments to align priorities and eliminate barriers to success.

• Champion Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and 5S principles to sustain operational excellence.
• Lead Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) and continuous improvement projects focused on eliminating waste and driving consistency.
• Serve as a change leader—modeling a forward-looking vision that inspires energy, passion, and ownership throughout the team.

• Bachelor’s degree preferred (or equivalent operations experience).
• 3+ years of operations or production management experience in manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement principles.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, forecasting, and cost control in a production environment.
• Experience with low-volume, high-mix manufacturing strongly preferred.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and analytical skills.
• Experience in rubber, urethane, or steel manufacturing is a plus.
• Passion for driving results, developing people, and leading change.