Production Manager

ABOUT US

STRIVE is a specialist recruitment firm offering professional recruitment services across Accounting & Finance, Corporate Administration, Operations, and Technology. We pride ourselves on delivering a highly personalized, transparent, and relationship-driven recruitment experience for both clients and candidates. At STRIVE, we don’t just fill roles — we partner with organizations and individuals to build long-term success.

THE ROLE

Our client is a growing Richmond-based company in the service and print installation space serving customers across Canada and the United States. The company is seeking a Production Manager who is a true production leader and someone who can lead people, manage priorities, optimize capacity, and ensure work moves through the department efficiently and on schedule.

The Production Manager will oversee the day-to-day flow of approved work through large-format printing, laminating, cutting, CNC/router, finishing, assembly and packaging, coordinating closely with Installation, Upfitting, Sales, Prepress and Operations.

This is primarily a leadership, planning and coordination role, rather than a hands-on operator position. Success will be measured by the performance of the production team, including on-time completion, quality, labour efficiency, equipment utilization, throughput and reduction of rework and material waste.

The ideal candidate will bring strong production management experience, excellent organizational and problem-solving skills, and the ability to create a predictable, accountable and quality-driven production environment that can support continued growth.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own the daily production schedule, establish priorities, assign work and balance labour and equipment capacity.
• Lead, coach and develop the production team while setting clear expectations and maintaining accountability.
• Manage workflow across printing, laminating, cutting, CNC/router, finishing, assembly and packaging.
• Identify bottlenecks, production constraints and at-risk jobs early and take appropriate corrective action.
• Ensure jobs entering production have the required artwork, dimensions, materials, quantities, finishing requirements and deadlines.
• Maintain strong production quality standards while reducing reprints, rework, material waste and production errors.
• Monitor equipment utilization, maintenance requirements and production capacity.
• Coordinate with Purchasing and Operations to ensure materials are available when required.
• Work closely with Sales, Prepress, Installation, Upfitting and Operations to ensure realistic commitments and clear job status.
• Maintain accurate production information and job status within a commercial service system.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities related to workflow, setup times, material movement, cross-training and equipment utilization.
• Provide regular updates on production capacity, labour, overtime, quality, bottlenecks and upcoming workload.
• Remain visible and engaged on the production floor, removing obstacles and ensuring priorities are clearly communicated.

REQUIREMENTS:

• 7–10 years of experience in manufacturing, production, printing, signage, fabrication or a comparable production environment.
• 3+ years of supervisory or management experience in a production setting.
• Proven ability to schedule and coordinate multiple jobs across different employees and pieces of equipment.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to delegate, coach, develop employees and address performance issues.
• Strong organizational, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Experience managing production flow, capacity, quality and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable using production management or job management software. Preference given to those with system integration and database migration experience, specifically migrating and building SOP's with Trello software.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to identify bottlenecks, improve processes, and drive operational efficiency.
• Ability to support employees while maintaining clear standards and accountability.
• Experience with large-format printing, commercial signage, CNC/router equipment, laminating or finishing is an asset.
• Experience with Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement is an asset.
• Direct sign-industry experience is preferred but not mandatory for candidates with strong production-management experience.

COMPENSATION:

• $100,000 to $120,000 depending on experience.
• Opportunity to join a growing Richmond-based organization, offering career progression opportunities.
• Opportunity to help develop and improve production processes, systems, and team capabilities.
• Collaborative, cross-functional working environment.
• And more!

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