Knowles

Designer and manufacturer of MEMS microphones

Production Manager - 2nd Shift

Manufacturing & Production OperationsConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeLiberty, SC, USA$85k - $105k /yr

About the Job

Requirements

Strong background in manufacturing operations, process improvement, or industrial engineering.
Bachelor’s degree and 3–5 years of manufacturing supervisory or management experience.
Demonstrated experience driving continuous improvement, Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or waste-reduction initiatives.
Prior experience leading teams, projects, or cross-functional improvement efforts in a manufacturing environment.
A data-driven mindset with analytical, problem-solving, and performance-management skills.
Ability to communicate effectively, influence, coach, and develop employees at all levels.
Working knowledge of production systems, key performance indicators, and basic computer tools, including Microsoft Office and manufacturing systems.
Dependability and a strong commitment to attendance, accountability, and results.
Ability to work safely in an active manufacturing environment, including standing, moving, and managing production activities for eight or more hours per shift in moderate-to-noisy conditions.

Responsibilities

Champion a strong safety culture by ensuring employees follow company safety policies, procedures, and standard work.
Maintain a visible floor presence and proactively identify risks.
Lead daily production activities to meet output, quality, delivery, and cost targets.
Monitor production lines, staffing, and resources to maintain stable workflow and a clean, organized, efficient work environment.
Partner with Production Control to plan and execute weekly production schedules aligned with customer demand.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on waste reduction, process stability, throughput improvement, and labor efficiency.
Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and problem-solving tools, including standard work, visual management, root cause analysis, and key performance indicator tracking, to improve operational performance.
Support and sustain process improvements in collaboration with Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and Operations teams.
Ensure quality standards are met while controlling scrap, rework, and delinquencies.
Manage key profit-and-loss elements, including labor variance, scrap, supplies, and manufacturing expenses.
Support new product introductions, process changes, and improvements to existing components.
Work with Sales to support customer commitments, including expediting and completing rush orders.
Coordinate with Purchasing to expedite materials and minimize downtime.
Communicate regularly with the Plant Manager, Quality, Production Control, Sales, Engineering, Maintenance, and Human Resources, and periodically interact with plants in Mexico and New Bedford.

Title: Production Manager

Department: Manufacturing Management

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Liberty, SC

Reporting To: Plant Manager

Compensation: $85,000 – $105,000 / year

Shift: 2nd Shift (3:30 PM – 12:00 AM)

Position Overview:

Knowles, Cornell Dubilier is seeking a Production Manager with a strong continuous improvement mindset to lead daily manufacturing operations across our capacitor production lines. This role is an excellent opportunity for a high-performing Manufacturing or Process Engineer with 3-5 years of supervisory or management experience who has built a strong technical foundation and is ready to step into a broader people-leadership and operational ownership role.

You will be responsible for driving improvements in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity, while developing teams, stabilizing processes, and eliminating waste through Lean and Six Sigma principles. This position plays a critical role in strengthening operational discipline, standard work, and performance accountability on the shop floor.

Safety & Culture

Champion a strong culture of safety, ensuring all employees follow company safety policies, procedures, and standard work
Lead by example through visible presence on the floor and proactive risk identification.

Operational Leadership

Lead day-to-day production activities to meet output, quality, delivery, and cost targets.
Monitor production lines, staffing, and resources to ensure stable workflow and a clean, organized, and efficient work environment.
Partner closely with Production Control to plan and execute weekly production schedules aligned with customer demand.

Continuous Improvement & Lean Execution

Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on waste reduction, process stability, throughput improvement, and labor efficiency.
Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and problem-solving tools (standard work, visual management, root cause analysis, KPI tracking) to improve operational performance.
Support and sustain process improvements in collaboration with Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and Operations teams.

Quality & Cost Management

Ensure all quality standards are met while actively controlling scrap, rework, and delinquencies.
Manage key P&L elements including labor variance, scrap, supplies, and manufacturing expenses.
Support new product introductions, process changes, and improvements to existing components.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work closely with Sales to support customer commitments, including expediting and completing rush orders.
Coordinate with Purchasing to expedite materials and minimize downtime.
Communicate regularly with the Plant Manager, Quality, Production Control, Sales, Engineering, Maintenance, and HR, with periodic interaction with plants in Mexico and New Bedford.

Strong background in manufacturing operations, process improvement, or industrial engineering.
Bachelor’s degree with 3-5 years manufacturing supervisory or management experience
Demonstrated experience driving continuous improvement, Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or waste-reduction initiatives.
Prior experience leading teams, projects, or cross-functional improvement efforts in a manufacturing environment.
Data-driven mindset with strong analytical, problem-solving, and performance-management skills.
Effective communicator with the ability to influence, coach, and develop employees at all levels.
Working knowledge of production systems, KPIs, and basic computer tools (Microsoft Office, manufacturing systems).
Dependable, with a strong commitment to attendance, accountability, and results.
Ability to work safely in an active manufacturing environment, including standing, moving, and managing production activities for eight (8) or more hours per shift in moderate-to-noisy conditions.

About the Company

Knowles

Designer and manufacturer of MEMS microphones

Knowles designs and manufactures micro-acoustic, audio-processing, and MEMS devices across three segments—Audio, Precision Devices, and Consumer MEMS Microphones. Its products include balanced armature speakers, MEMS microphones, and high-performance capacitors and RF filters, created by combining acoustics, materials science, and signal processing to meet demanding, miniaturized specifications for OEMs. The company differentiates itself through deep expertise in acoustics, materials science, and signal processing, a broad and specialized product portfolio, and a focus on high-quality, compact components for both consumer electronics and defense/industrial markets. Knowles aims to be the trusted supplier of reliable components and to grow its share in MEMS microphones and professional audio by serving global OEM customers.

Company size: 1,001-5,000
Company stage: IPO
Headquarters: Itasca, IL
Founded: 1946

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