Production Manager

JOIN THE BEST TEAM ON THE FIELD IN SPORT, SPIRIT & ACHIEVEMENT At Varsity Brands, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed and every educator wants to make a difference.

It takes a team to make a real impact, and through our three distinct brands – BSN SPORTS, Varsity Spirit and Herff Jones – and our network of 9,000+ employees and independent representatives, we are proud to partner with schools, colleges, and universities across the country to transform the student journey in SPORT, SPIRIT and ACHIEVEMENT.

Are you looking to play an important role on a winning team?

Are you looking for more than “just a job,” but a place where you can truly thrive and have your daily contributions make a real difference in someone’s life?

At Varsity Brands, we’re a growing company where you can lend your skills and talents in support of a greater mission.

In return, you get to work with great people on challenging assignments that will accelerate your professional growth.

HERFF JONES, Production Manager – Indianapolis, IN Your Opportunity:  The  Herff Jones   Production team is looking for a Production Manager to join our team in Indianapolis, IN.

This is a Regular Fulltime (Exempt) position with benefit eligibility including, medical, dental, vision, life, 401(k), paid time off, and additional voluntary benefits.

The production team’s standard shift is 6:00am
– 4:45pm Monday through Thursday or 6:00am
– 4:45pm Tuesday through Friday depending on Production Department.

Hours fluctuate to ten
– and twelve-hour days if needed during peak season including Saturdays and Sundays if necessary due to customer demand.

Seasons vary between January through end of May.

Here’s How You’ll Make an Impact: The Production Manager is responsible for managing the production team that manufactures the graduation product (announcements, diplomas, and diploma covers) for our schools and universities.

You will help support this team with safely delivering quality product on time to customers with optimal efficiency.

While you’ll lean heavily on your technical abilities, your greatest asset will be your drive and commitment to quality.

We live and work in a team environment and rely heavily on each other to assist across a variety of functions and on various machines.

If you have a commitment to quality and a passion for your teammates, we want you!

What We Want You to Accomplish: First 90 Days:

• Working knowledge of all machinery being utilized by operators.
• Understanding of process flow and all policies and procedures.

First 180 days:

• Active engagement in reducing quality remakes to less than 1%.
• Driving on time delivery to 99%.

First 360 Days:

• Successfully hitting budget targets and efficiency goals.
• Actively develop and participate in process improvement activities.

What You’ll Be Doing On A Daily Basis:

• Coordinate the daily activities of the production, quality, and safety teams in the department.
• Delegate assignments to appropriate teams and personnel.
• Ensure high level plans are being executed as they relate to your department and overall company goals.
• Analyze production schedules and estimate employee hour requirements and establish or adjust work procedures to meet production standards.
• Direct Production Supervisors and Group Leads in the department to optimize efficiency and hit production, quality, and safety goals.
• Lean Manufacturing mindset for all operations.
• Manage department level budgets as well as performance against quality and safety targets. 
• Perform all other duties and projects as assigned.

What You’ll Bring to the Table:

• Highschool Degree or GED required.

  Bachelor’s Degree preferred.

• 5+ years of prior supervisory experience in manufacturing preferred.
• Previous experience managing a manufacturing team of 20+ employees.
• Demonstrates strong leadership skills.
• Previous success leading lean operations to include training and coaching front line associates
• Ability to organize and prioritize job duties.
• Proven success in hitting production numbers.
• Proven success to effectively communicate (listening, writing and verbal) across all levels of an organization.
• Background and skills with Microsoft Office and learning new systems/technology with understanding some work is processed manually.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, conduct detailed staffing analysis and implement new programs in a manufacturing environment emphasizing safety and quality.
• Multiple examples of lean projects and initiates successfully executed with measurable cost and time savings.
• Outstanding decision-making skills and ability to work well with numbers.
• Significant experience in collecting and analyzing data.
• A strong sense of urgency and desire to exceed customer expectations.
• Ability to maintain positive attitude in fast-paced environment.

Physical Requirements: Daily activity includes but is not limited to:

• Lifting, carrying, sitting, grasping, reaching, standing, kneeling, walking, bending, twisting.
• Reading, communication, simple math.
• Moving around the production floor for a 10 hour+ shift.
• Be able to regularly lift/move up to 50lbs.
• Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to above average.

THE MOST TRUSTED NAME IN CELEBRATING STUDENT MILESTONES – HERFF JONES Herff Jones is the leading provider of graduation and educational products and services designed to inspire achievement and create memorable experiences for students.

Herff Jones’ products include class rings and jewelry, caps and gowns, yearbooks, diplomas, frames, announcements, and Greek accessories as well as motivation and recognition programs.

Since 1920, our team has worked alongside students, faculty, and staff on campuses nationwide to help build a stronger community and celebrate student milestones.

Our continued success relies on hiring extraordinary talent, with a passion for making a difference and eagerness to roll up the sleeves, to help us write the story of our next 100 years.

Varsity Brands companies are equal opportunity employers.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age, or disability.