Reports to: COO Direct Reports: Line Leaders (Cutting; Sewing; Machine Operations) Compensation: $55,000- $80,000 Role summary Shaw Concepts is scaling a cut-and-sew manufacturing operation for tactical soft goods and armor components. We are hiring a Production Systems Manager for a cut and sew operation to own daily production across cutting, sewing, and machine operations while building a simple, repeatable operating system that increases throughput without simply adding more people doing the same work. This role will lead the transition from a demand-led, high-mix / low-volume workflow into a production-led, cell-based manufacturing model capable of higher volume with predictable output, quality, and material control. This is not a scheduler/planner-only role. You will be on the floor, in the details: Labor allocation and daily execution Bottleneck identification and removal Standard work and line balancing Training and onboarding systems Material flow discipline and usage control You will develop line leaders, onboard and train new hires as headcount scales from ~10 to ~20 within 12 months and possibly prepare the operation to grow from one shift to two shifts. Key outcomes (what success looks like) Throughput increases measurably and consistently (output per person, output vs plan), with daily visibility and fast issue resolution. Labor efficiency improves (standard hours vs actual hours) with clear standards, balanced work, and reduced rework/interruptions. Material consumption is controlled and optimized (usage accuracy, yield, scrap reduction), with disciplined kitting and flow. Cell manufacturing is implemented for repeatable product families (clear work content, staffing model, cross-training coverage). A repeatable daily/weekly manufacturing operating system exists (cadence, KPIs, standard work audits) and is used consistently. New hires ramp faster and line leaders run the floor effectively with accountability, coaching, and consistent standards. Core responsibilities Own daily production execution (Cutting, Sewing, Machine Operations) Run daily production planning and floor execution: staffing, priorities, bottleneck management, and plan vs actual. Manage WIP flow and handoffs across cutting ? sewing ? machine operations to maintain pace and reduce aging. Lead a daily operating rhythm (tier meeting, constraints review, staffing adjustments, issue escalation and closure). Maintain stable output while balancing high-mix demand today and the shift toward more repeatable production tomorrow. Build and run a simple manufacturing operating system (throughput-focused) Define the few KPIs that matter and make them visible daily (throughput per person, labor efficiency, material usage, schedule adherence). Implement standard work and work measurement appropriate for a small team (standard hours, targets, clear definitions of done ). Introduce WIP limits, visual management, and basic problem-solving routines so issues are surfaced and solved fast. Create a weekly cadence with line leaders: KPI review, constraint plan, staffing/training plan, and improvement priorities. Lead the transition to cell manufacturing (general sewing ? scalable cells) Identify product families appropriate for cells and design the cell flow (operations sequence, staffing model, takt/targets). Balance work content, reduce handoffs, and improve flow using lean methods (line balancing, waste reduction, changeover reduction). Build cross-training plans and a skills matrix to support flexible staffing inside cells and reduce single points of failure. Launch, stabilize, and scale cells while maintaining performance in legacy workflows during the transition. Scale the team and lead change management Hire, onboard, and train operators as production scales from ~10 to ~20+ within 12 months. Develop line leaders to run consistent standards, execute the daily rhythm, and coach performance on the floor. Lead frequent process and workflow changes using a simple approach: pilot ? train ? implement ? audit ? improve. Drive adoption and accountability so changes stick without creating confusion, thrash, or morale loss. Materials discipline and Katana MFG ERP execution Ensure production is accurately executed and reported in Katana (work orders, routings, inventory consumption, production outputs). Drive disciplined kitting and point-of-use material flow to reduce downtime and improve usage accuracy. Improve yield and reduce scrap/rework tied to material handling, cutting accuracy, and process variation. Partner with planning/purchasing to prevent shortages, manage substitutions correctly, and protect schedule stability. Requirements 10+ years of leadership experience in cut-and-sew manufacturing (production supervision/management). Demonstrated lean manufacturing experience in a sewn goods environment (standard work, line balancing, flow, cells). Proven ability to lead through change in a scaling operation (clear communication, adoption, accountability). Track record of building teams and developing leaders (training, onboarding, line leader management). Strong command of throughput metrics: labor efficiency (standard vs actual), output vs plan, WIP control, schedule adherence. Comfortable working in an ERP-driven operation; Katana MFG ERP experience is a plus. Preferred Experience moving operations from demand-led to production-led planning and execution. Experience preparing and launching a second shift (staffing model, training pipeline, handoffs, KPI cadence).
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