Production Manager
Plywood Industry Position: Production Manager Industry: Plywood / Wood Manufacturing Location: Wonogiri, Central Java Employment: Full-time Reporting To: General Manager / Managing Director / Director Direct Reports: Production Supervisors, Production Staff, Operators, and supporting production teams
Job Purpose The Production Manager will be responsible for planning, managing, and controlling the overall plywood production process to ensure production targets are achieved efficiently, safely, consistently, and according to established quality standards.
The position will oversee the end-to-end manufacturing process, including raw material utilization, production planning, manpower allocation, machine utilization, production efficiency, yield, quality, waste reduction, and coordination with Maintenance, Warehouse, Procurement, Quality, and other related functions.
The ideal candidate should be a hands-on production leader with strong technical and operational knowledge of plywood manufacturing, capable of identifying production problems, improving processes, developing the production team, and driving continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Production Planning & Execution
Develop and execute daily, weekly, and monthly production plans based on sales demand, production capacity, raw material availability, and delivery requirements. Ensure production targets are achieved in terms of volume, quality, efficiency, and delivery. Monitor production progress against planned targets and take immediate corrective actions when deviations occur. Coordinate manpower, machinery, materials, and production schedules to optimize factory capacity. Ensure smooth coordination between production planning and other departments. Identify potential production bottlenecks and develop preventive solutions.
- Plywood Manufacturing Operations
Manage and monitor the overall plywood production process, including where applicable:
Log/raw material preparation Veneer production Peeling Drying Grading Veneer selection Glue preparation and application Lay-up Cold pressing Hot pressing Cutting Sanding Finishing Quality inspection Packing Finished goods preparation Ensure each production stage operates according to established SOPs, production parameters, quality standards, and safety requirements.
- Production Efficiency & Productivity
Monitor production efficiency and machine utilization. Analyze production output versus capacity. Improve productivity, yield, and overall equipment utilization. Identify causes of production losses and implement corrective actions. Reduce machine downtime through effective coordination with Maintenance. Monitor production cycle time and process efficiency. Develop initiatives to improve production output without compromising quality. Establish and monitor production performance standards.
- Raw Material & Yield Management
Ensure efficient utilization of logs, veneer, adhesive, and other production materials. Monitor raw material consumption against production standards. Analyze material yield and production losses. Minimize veneer waste, trimming losses, glue losses, and other production waste. Work closely with Procurement and Warehouse to ensure sufficient raw material availability. Develop initiatives to improve wood utilization and recovery rate. This area is particularly important in plywood manufacturing because raw material yield has a direct impact on production cost and profitability.
- Quality Control
Ensure production processes comply with established quality standards. Work closely with QA/QC to maintain consistent plywood quality. Monitor production defects and identify root causes. Implement corrective and preventive actions for recurring quality issues. Reduce rejection, rework, and customer complaints. Ensure product specifications are consistently achieved. Develop production discipline to ensure quality is built into the process rather than only inspected at the end.
- Machine & Equipment Coordination
Coordinate with Maintenance to ensure production machinery is operating effectively. Monitor machine breakdowns and production downtime. Participate in root-cause analysis for recurring equipment problems. Support preventive and predictive maintenance programs. Ensure production teams operate machinery according to established procedures. Provide input regarding machine improvement, replacement, or additional equipment requirements.
- Manpower Management
Plan manpower requirements according to production capacity and production schedules. Allocate manpower effectively across production lines and shifts. Supervise Production Supervisors, Leaders, and Operators. Establish clear responsibilities and performance expectations. Develop and train production employees. Evaluate employee performance and productivity. Build a culture of discipline, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement. Ensure adequate manpower coverage for shift operations.
Candidate Requirements Education Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Wood Technology, Forestry, Manufacturing Engineering, or related technical fields. Candidates with relevant technical education and strong plywood manufacturing experience may also be considered. Professional Experience Minimum 8–12 years of experience in manufacturing / production, with at least 3–5 years in a Production Manager / Plant Manager / Production Superintendent / Senior Production Supervisor position. Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience in plywood manufacturing is strongly preferred. Experience managing a plywood production facility, preferably with multiple production processes or production lines. Strong understanding of plywood manufacturing processes from raw material preparation through finished goods. Experience managing production teams with multiple shifts is preferred. Experience in improving production efficiency, yield, quality, and manufacturing costs. Technical Requirements The candidate should understand:
Plywood manufacturing processes Veneer production and grading Veneer drying Glue mixing/application Lay-up process Cold press Hot press Cutting Sanding Finishing Production planning Production capacity calculation Yield calculation Waste management Production costing Quality control Machine utilization Preventive maintenance Production KPI Root Cause Analysis 5S / Kaizen / Lean Manufacturing Knowledge of plywood specifications and quality standards is highly preferred.
Leadership & Competencies Must-Have
- Strong Production Leadership
Able to manage production teams, supervisors, operators, and multiple shifts.
- Problem Solving
Able to identify the root cause of production problems and implement practical solutions.
- Analytical Thinking
Able to analyze:
Production data Yield Waste Downtime Productivity Quality Cost and convert the findings into improvement actions.
- Hands-On Management
The ideal candidate should be comfortable going directly to the production floor to understand problems rather than relying only on reports.
- Target-Oriented
Strong focus on achieving production targets while maintaining quality and safety.
- Cost Consciousness
Understands that production performance ultimately impacts COGS, gross margin, and company profitability.
- Team Development
Able to develop supervisors and production leaders into stronger managers.
- Decision Making
Able to make quick and appropriate decisions when facing:
Machine breakdown Raw material shortages Quality problems Production delays Manpower shortages Urgent customer requirements What you’ll do:
- Supervise and coordinate daily production activities to meet targets
- Ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP, and food safety standards
- Lead, train, and motivate production staff for top performance
- Monitor equipment performance and coordinate with maintenance teams
- Track KPIs and prepare reports to improve efficiency and reduce waste
What we’re looking for:
- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Food Technology, or related field (preferred)
- 3–5 years of experience in operations/production supervision (beverage or FMCG is a plus)
- Strong leadership and communication skills
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes, quality, and safety standards
- Willingness to work shifts in a dynamic environment
Skills: Production Management, Logistics Management, English Language, Operations Management