Production Manager

Location: Onsite – Chicago, IL
Reports To: Director of Manufacturing and Distribution
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary Range: $110,000 – $120,000 annually

Join Our Team
At Gold Eagle Enterprise, we believe diversity drives innovation and success. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and experiences to apply and bring their unique perspectives to our team.

The Production Manager is responsible for leading day-to-day operations within Compounding and the 1st and 2nd shift Packaging Departments. This role ensures a safe and compliant work environment, maximizes equipment and labor efficiency, maintains product quality standards, and drives continuous improvement across the manufacturing process. The Production Manager partners with cross-functional teams to optimize workflow, strengthen workforce capabilities, and meet daily, weekly, and long-term business objectives.

Operational Leadership

• Plan, direct, and coordinate resources for all assigned manufacturing, compounding, and packaging operations.
• Ensure daily production schedules, batch requirements, and customer demand are executed safely, accurately, and on time.
• Monitor KPIs such as throughput, scrap, labor utilization, OEE, FPY, and downtime; implement corrective actions to meet targets.

People Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop supervisors, leads, and hourly team members across assigned shifts.
• Ensure adequate staffing levels; participate in hiring, onboarding, coaching, and performance management.
• Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure all products meet established specifications and comply with internal quality standards and external regulatory requirements.
• Partner closely with Quality, Engineering, and EHS to resolve deviations, implement corrective/preventive actions (CAPA), and maintain audit readiness.
• Serve as a technical resource for all Compounding-related activities, formulations, batch mixing, and troubleshooting.

Safety & Environmental Stewardship

• Create and maintain a proactive, accident-free work environment that engages employees in safe behaviors.
• Lead incident investigations, root-cause analyses, and corrective action development.
• Ensure full compliance with OSHA, EPA, and company EHS policies; maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free facility.
• Serve as Team Leader for the Gold Eagle Safety Committee.

Continuous Improvement & Cost Optimization

• Champion Lean, Six Sigma, 6S, KAIZEN, and other best-practice methodologies to improve workflow and eliminate waste.
• Lead and support projects that reduce cost, increase efficiency, and enhance product quality or throughput.
• Partner with Maintenance, Engineering, and Supply Chain to optimize asset reliability, material flow, and changeover performance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Planning, Purchasing, Maintenance, Engineering, and Quality to ensure smooth end-to-end operations.
• Support new product introductions, trials, and scale-up activities within Compounding and Packaging.
• Participate in annual budgeting, capacity planning, and capital expenditure evaluations.

Education & Experience

• B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field.
• Minimum 4 years of manufacturing experience, preferably in chemical, food, or batch-process environments.
• Demonstrated success in a supervisory or leadership role within production or operations.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of manufacturing principles, production planning, and workflow optimization.
• Foundational knowledge of business principles including budgeting, cost control, and ROI analysis.
• Working knowledge of Lean and Six Sigma tools (value stream mapping, root-cause analysis, standard work, visual management, etc.).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; able to influence across multiple levels.
• Demonstrated leadership capability, sound judgment, and ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean Practitioner or Lean Certification.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Advanced degree (MBA, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent).
• Experience in chemical compounding, liquid blending, or packaging operations.

Why Work With Us?

• Competitive salary: $110,000 – $120,000
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Opportunities for growth and professional development
• Inclusive, collaborative culture that values diversity and innovation

How to Apply
If you're passionate about manufacturing excellence and thrive in a dynamic environment, we'd love to hear from you Please submit your resume and cover letter to

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.