APO Production Manager

For the past 162 years, Swisher has been an industry leader known for its iconic products and commitment to high quality standards. With a rich history, Swisher serves adult consumers through a diverse range of businesses, including Swisher Sweets Cigar Company, Helme Tobacco Co., Hempire, Rogue Holdings, and Drew Estate: The Rebirth of Cigars. We have a passion for people and helping them build rewarding careers. If you’re ready to create excitement and drive what’s next in the industry, we’d love to hear from you.

The Production Manager is responsible for leading and optimizing manufacturing operations within assigned production areas, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost‑effective execution of production activities. This role is accountable for production planning, workforce leadership, operational performance, quality execution, and continuous improvement initiatives that support customer demand and business objectives.

The Production Manager partners closely with Planning, Procurement, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, and Operations leadership to ensure production schedules are executed efficiently, resources are optimized, and manufacturing performance meets organizational goals. This position plays a critical role in driving operational excellence, workforce development, safety performance, and sustainable business results within a fast‑paced CPG manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and execute production plans to meet customer demand while optimizing labor, equipment, materials, and manufacturing resources to achieve production, service, quality, and cost objectives

Collaborate with Planning, Supply Chain, Procurement, Sales, Quality, Engineering, and Maintenance teams to align production schedules with business priorities, inventory requirements, and customer expectations

Lead and oversee daily production operations across assigned manufacturing areas, ensuring achievement of production schedules, output targets, quality standards, and customer service requirements

Lead, mentor, and develop Operations Managers, Production Supervisors, Mechanics, Team Leads, and Operators, fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, continuous improvement, and operational excellence

Establish workforce plans and staffing strategies that support operational requirements while maximizing labor productivity and organizational effectiveness

Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement by promoting employee involvement, operational discipline, and adherence to company values and expectations

Ensure production processes comply with established quality standards, regulatory requirements, operating procedures, and manufacturing specifications

Implement and monitor quality control measures, partnering with Quality Assurance teams to ensure products consistently meet or exceed customer and regulatory requirements

Optimize resource allocation, including manpower, equipment, materials, and production capacity, to maximize efficiency, throughput, and operational performance

Partner with Procurement and Supply Chain teams to ensure timely availability of raw materials, packaging components, and production supplies while minimizing shortages and operational disruptions

Collaborate with Supply Chain and Operations Support teams to support implementation, optimization, and integration of ERP, MES, WMS, and manufacturing technologies that improve operational visibility and inventory accuracy

Establish, monitor, and report key performance indicators (KPIs) related to safety, quality, productivity, cost, inventory, labor utilization, waste reduction, and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

Analyze production data, operational trends, and performance metrics to identify opportunities for improvement and implement sustainable corrective actions

Lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, automation technologies, and operational excellence methodologies to improve productivity, reduce waste, and enhance manufacturing performance

Lead cross‑functional teams in implementing process improvements, equipment upgrades, automation projects, and operational changes that improve efficiency, quality, and throughput

Partner with Engineering and Maintenance teams to improve equipment reliability, minimize downtime, and support capital investment initiatives

Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, company safety policies, environmental standards, and regulatory requirements, promoting a culture of safety awareness throughout the organization

Investigate, document, and address safety incidents, near misses, operational disruptions, and quality concerns, ensuring appropriate corrective and preventive actions are implemented

Develop and manage departmental budgets, labor plans, and operating expenses, identifying opportunities for cost reduction, waste elimination, and operational efficiency improvements while maintaining product quality and customer service levels

Support new product introductions, process changes, capacity expansions, and operational growth initiatives by ensuring production readiness, workforce preparation, and execution alignment

Provide regular reporting and performance updates to the Senior Director of Manufacturing Operations, identifying operational risks, opportunities, and strategic recommendations

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Operations Management, Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, or Business Administration

8+ years of progressive manufacturing experience within a CPG, food, beverage, tobacco, pharmaceutical, or similarly regulated manufacturing environment

5+ years of leadership experience managing production supervisors, operations managers, maintenance personnel, or multiple production departments

Demonstrated experience leading high‑volume manufacturing operations and delivering results across safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, and labor productivity metrics

Strong knowledge of production planning, inventory management, manufacturing systems, workforce planning, and capacity management

Experience leading Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, operational excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives

Demonstrated experience managing operational budgets, labor planning, and cost‑reduction initiatives

Experience partnering with Supply Chain, Procurement, Planning, Engineering, and Quality teams to support production execution and customer fulfillment objectives

Strong analytical, problem‑solving, decision‑making, and organizational skills

Excellent leadership, coaching, communication, and stakeholder management capabilities

Experience utilizing ERP, MRP, MES, WMS, and manufacturing reporting systems

Travel: 20-30%

Preferred Qualifications

Master's Degree in Operations Management, Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, or Business Administration

Experience leading multi‑shift manufacturing operations supporting 100+ employees

Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification

Experience implementing manufacturing automation, ERP, WMS, or digital manufacturing initiatives

Experience managing production operations within a unionized manufacturing environment

Experience supporting new product introductions, capacity expansion projects, or large‑scale operational transformations

What We Offer

Base salary and bonus program

Medical, dental, vision, life insurance effective on date of hire

Generous 401(k) Plan

Defined Contribution Plan

Paid vacation and paid holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Official Contact Information

Email: All official emails will come from an @Swisher.com address

Website: Verify job listings and contact details on https://careers.swisher.com

Important: We will never contact you via Teams, Zoom, or Google Meets. If you qualify for an interview the proper meeting method will be shared with you beforehand. Confidential information should only be shared through secure methods outside of email.

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