Aegis Worldwide is hiring: Production Manager in Crystal Lake

Production Manager - 2nd Shift (2:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.)
Location: Crystal Lake, IL

We are seeking a 2nd Shift Production Manager to oversee the Converting Department and provide support across Lamination, Slitting, and Press departments when needed. This role requires a strong leader with a proven track record in lean manufacturing, production management, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the 2nd shift production team, including 40 direct reports (Converting Leads, Machine Operators) and 20 indirect reports (QA, Laminators, Slitting, Press Operators).
• Ensure seamless operation of converting, lamination, slitting, and press departments, making sure production meets customer specifications and quality standards.
• Provide strong leadership in lean practices such as 5S, Root Cause Analysis, and Value Stream Mapping. Lead or participate in continuous improvement (CI) projects, including Kaizen events and Gemba walks.
• Collaborate with the executive team through daily calls with upper management (VP and President) to share ideas and drive company-wide improvements.
• Utilize MRP/ERP systems to optimize production processes. Experience with Radius ERP is a plus.
• Maintain and enforce clean room protocols and machine safety standards, even though the environment is not technically a clean room.
• Ensure machines, including Flexographic Presses, Laminators, and Converting/Slitting equipment, are operating efficiently, and troubleshoot issues as needed.
• Lead by example with a "friendly but fair" management style, providing support, training, and corrective guidance to machine operators.

Qualifications:

• 7-10+ years of experience in a production environment with at least 3+ years in a leadership role managing machine operators.
• Strong understanding of lean manufacturing principles, including 5S, Root Cause Analysis, and Six Sigma methodologies (Green Belt or Black Belt preferred).
• Mechanical aptitude with the ability to understand and troubleshoot production machinery.
• Experience with MRP/ERP systems, Radius ERP experience is a plus.
• Proven track record of managing continuous improvement initiatives with measurable outcomes.
• Strong communicator with the ability to work collaboratively with operators and executives alike.
• Spanish speaking is a plus, as many of the machinists are Spanish-speaking.

Why Join Us? We offer a family-feel culture with a collaborative, consultative approach to leadership. We're open to innovation, and as a smaller company, you'll have the opportunity to make a significant impact, working closely with our executive team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys custom production environments and wants to contribute to continuous growth and improvement.

Apply today to join our growing team!