Director of Manufacturing

Description

Director of Manufacturing

Do you thrive on leading manufacturing teams to deliver quality products on schedule?

Are you passionate about Lean Manufacturing and developing high-performing leaders?

Does working for a family-centric company with deep roots appeal to you?

Do the values of stewardship, versatility, and family resonate strongly with you?

Do you find the improvement of people’s lives through stewardship of God-given resources inspiring?

Then Bedrock Truck Beds is right for you!

Department: Manufacturing / Operations | Primary Location: Shiner, Texas | Reports To: President

Director of Manufacturing Job Summary

The Director of Manufacturing is responsible for leading and optimizing manufacturing operations across the Shiner and Beeville facilities, overseeing flatbed production, the flatbed finishing line, and Manufacturing Engineering. This position is accountable for achieving production goals, improving operational efficiency, maintaining product quality, ensuring employee safety, controlling manufacturing costs, and delivering products on schedule.

The Director will lead manufacturing and engineering teams to establish consistent processes, improve product manufacturability, implement Lean Manufacturing principles, and drive continuous improvement across both facilities. This individual must be a hands-on, results-oriented leader with a strong background in metal fabrication, welding, assembly, finishing operations, manufacturing engineering, and multi-facility leadership.

Director of Manufacturing Responsibilities:

Manufacturing Operations and Production

• Direct manufacturing operations at both Shiner and Beeville facilities.
• Oversee flatbed fabrication, welding, assembly, finishing, and final inspection.
• Manage the flatbed finishing line to ensure proper workflow, production capacity, quality, and on-time completion.
• Establish production schedules and ensure manufacturing resources align with customer demand.
• Balance workloads, staffing, equipment, and production capacity between facilities.
• Standardize processes and best practices across both locations.
• Eliminate bottlenecks, downtime, rework, and inefficient use of labor and materials.

Manufacturing Engineering Leadership

• Direct and develop the Manufacturing Engineering team, establishing priorities, responsibilities, and performance expectations.
• Ensure Manufacturing Engineering supports production objectives, quality, cost reduction, and capacity improvements.
• Lead the development and implementation of standardized work instructions, process documentation, production layouts, and manufacturing methods.
• Drive improvements in fabrication, welding, assembly, tooling, fixtures, automation, and finishing processes.
• Partner with Design Engineering to improve design for manufacturability, simplify production, and reduce manufacturing costs.
• Lead engineering projects that improve labor productivity, product consistency, throughput, and equipment utilization.
• Evaluate and implement new manufacturing technologies, equipment, tooling, and automation.
• Establish engineering standards and ensure successful implementation of process changes across both facilities.
• Use data, time studies, and root-cause analysis to identify opportunities for measurable improvement.

Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement

• Lead the implementation and ongoing development of Lean Manufacturing practices across both facilities.
• Establish a culture of continuous improvement, waste elimination, and employee involvement.
• Apply Lean tools such as 6S, standard work, value stream mapping, visual management, root-cause analysis, and Kaizen events.
• Improve production flow, reduce work-in-process inventory, shorten lead times, and eliminate non-value-added activities.
• Identify and address bottlenecks throughout fabrication, welding, assembly, and finishing.
• Implement labor standards, cycle-time measurements, and productivity metrics where appropriate.
• Train and coach manufacturing leaders and employees in Lean principles and problem-solving methods.
• Track and verify improvements in productivity, quality, cost, and delivery performance.

Leadership and Workforce Development

• Lead, coach, and develop managers, production supervisors, and Manufacturing Engineering personnel.
• Establish clear expectations and accountability for performance across manufacturing and engineering.
• Build a culture focused on safety, quality, teamwork, ownership, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure adequate staffing, technical training, cross-training, and succession planning.
• Develop capable leaders who can manage daily operations while driving consistent results.

Quality, Safety, and Compliance

• Establish and maintain quality standards for flatbed manufacturing and finishing operations.
• Reduce defects, scrap, rework, warranty claims, and customer complaints.
• Ensure corrective actions address root causes and prevent recurring issues.
• Maintain compliance with applicable OSHA requirements and environmental regulations.
• Promote safe work practices in welding, cutting, grinding, material handling, finishing, and equipment operation.
• Hold manufacturing and engineering leaders accountable for safety and quality performance.

Cost and Budget Management

• Develop and manage manufacturing and Manufacturing Engineering budgets.
• Monitor labor productivity, material usage, scrap, rework, overtime, and manufacturing cost per unit.
• Lead cost-reduction initiatives without compromising safety or product quality.
• Evaluate capital investments in equipment, tooling, automation, and facility improvements.
• Partner with Purchasing and other departments to improve operating performance and reduce material cost.

Materials, Maintenance, and Supply Chain Coordination

• Coordinate with Purchasing and Planning to ensure material availability.
• Align production schedules with inventory, labor, equipment, and shipping capacity.
• Ensure preventive maintenance supports equipment reliability and minimizes downtime.
• Coordinate finished-product flow through shipping.

Performance Management and Reporting

• Establish and maintain consistent KPIs for both facilities and Manufacturing Engineering.
• Conduct regular reviews of safety, quality, production, delivery, cost, and engineering performance.
• Report results, risks, and improvement initiatives to executive leadership.
• Use data-driven decision-making to prioritize projects and measure results.
• Ensure accountability for improvement initiatives and expected business outcomes.
• All other duties as assigned by management.

Director of Manufacturing Skills and Competencies

• Strong analytical, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, production reporting, and Microsoft Office or comparable tools.

Director of Manufacturing Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, preferably in metal fabrication, welding, assembly, or industrial manufacturing.
• Demonstrated experience implementing Lean Manufacturing principles and delivering measurable improvements in productivity, quality, cost, and lead time.
• Experience leading Manufacturing Engineering, production operations, and multiple manufacturing departments or facilities.
• Strong understanding of fabrication, welding, assembly, finishing, production scheduling, and manufacturing processes.
• Proven ability to improve manufacturing flow, eliminate waste, and increase labor productivity.
• Experience with Lean tools such as 6S, Kaizen, value stream mapping, standard work, visual management, and root-cause analysis.
• Experience leading and developing managers, production supervisors, manufacturing engineers, and hourly employees.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing process development, tooling, fixtures, automation, and design for manufacturability.
• Experience managing budgets, capital projects, production capacity, and manufacturing cost controls.
• Ability to travel occasionally between Shiner and Beeville (approximately 90% Shiner / 10% Beeville).

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Experience in truck equipment, commercial vehicle upfitting, agricultural equipment, or heavy metal fabrication.
• Lean certification or formal Lean training, such as Lean Six Sigma, is a plus.

Physical Requirements

Work may involve walking and standing in manufacturing areas and using required personal protective equipment.

Work Environment

Manufacturing and office environments, with regular presence on production floors. Primary location is Shiner, with occasional visits to Beeville.

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid Time Off
• Profit Sharing
• Counseling