Fabrication Production Manager

New Flyer is North America’s heavy-duty transit bus leader, providing sustainable mobility solutions through transit buses, technology, and infrastructure. New Flyer is a subsidiary of NFI Group, a leader in propulsion agnostic bus and coach mobility solutions. Building on its 90+ year legacy of innovation, New Flyer is the only manufacturer offering all three types of zero-emission transit buses, with over 1,900 zero-emission buses delivered to date. New Flyer actively supports over 35,000 heavy-duty transit buses currently operated by approximately 500 agencies.

• Lead day-to-day fabrication operations to achieve production schedules, quality standards, cost targets, and overall business objectives.
• Establish, monitor, and communicate key performance indicators (KPIs), ensuring operational targets align with organizational goals.
• Identify production challenges, anticipate operational risks, and implement effective solutions to maintain production commitments.
• Develop and manage departmental operating budgets, monitor financial performance, and drive accountability for results.
• Forecast workforce requirements and optimize staffing levels, labor hours, and production efficiency.

• Champion the implementation and sustainability of Operational Excellence (OpEx) initiatives, with a strong emphasis on 5S and continuous improvement.
• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing processes, eliminate waste, increase productivity, enhance quality, and reduce operating costs.
• Introduce effective operating methods, procedures, and technologies that strengthen manufacturing performance.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to identify, prioritize, and develop capital investment opportunities that support operational growth and efficiency.
• Stay current with emerging manufacturing technologies, industry trends, and best practices.

• Build, lead, and develop a strong team of manufacturing leaders and employees.
• Coach, mentor, and empower team members while building a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Identify workforce development and training needs and implement plans to support current and future operational requirements.
• Foster a respectful, inclusive, and professional workplace where employees feel valued and supported.
• Promote positive labor-management relationships through effective communication, timely issue resolution, and constructive collaboration.

• Champion a safety-first culture, ensuring compliance with all applicable health, safety, environmental, regulatory, and legal requirements.
• Establish and maintain effective operational policies, procedures, and controls.
• Ensure manufacturing activities consistently meet established quality standards and customer expectations.
• Maintain accountability for internal financial controls and operational reporting requirements.

• Work closely with senior leadership and key business partners across the organization to align operational priorities and resolve challenges.
• Communicate manufacturing performance, business risks, improvement initiatives, and operational results to senior leadership.
• Prepare and present operational reports, performance updates, and business recommendations as required. 

• Post-secondary education in Operations Management, Manufacturing, Engineering, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing leadership, including significant experience leading senior-level manufacturing operations.
• Demonstrated success managing complex production environments and leading teams to achieve operational targets.
• Experience with budgeting, workforce planning, production scheduling, and capacity management.
• Experience driving Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, or continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong people leadership, coaching, mentoring, and employee development capabilities.
• A proven ability to drive accountability, influence change, and build high-performing teams.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production planning, MRP systems, and operational performance metrics.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to effectively present operational results and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Travel

• Approximately 5%, as business needs require