Position: Production Manager

Location: Due Carrare

Department: Vacuum Automation Division

Type: Employee - Permanent

About Piab Group:
At Piab Group, we improve our customers’ productivity, sustainability, and safety through evolving industrial automation and have done so since 1951. We believe in an automated world where no resources are wasted, and no humans are injured. With annual sales of ~4 billion SEK and more than 1500 employees, Piab is a global organization, serving customers in more than 100 countries from a vast network of subsidiaries and channel partners. Since 2018, Piab Group has been owned by Patricia Industries, part of Investor AB.
Piab serves a wide range of industries, including e‑commerce logistics, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and automotive, providing innovative vacuum automation solutions tailored to each sector.

You can expect the following with us:

• Innovative culture – be part of a team that thrives on creativity and innovation.
• Global impact – work with a company that is a world leader in vacuum transport solutions.
• Global presence – Piab has 25+ sales offices and over 900 partners worldwide, ensuring a vast network and global reach.
• Sustainable vision – contribute to an automated world, promoting safety and efficiency.
• Professional growth – access opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement.
• Diverse and inclusive – join a workplace that values diversity and fosters an inclusive environment.
• Stable employer – as part of Patricia Industries and connected to the Wallenberg family, Piab benefits from strong support and a commitment to long‑term growth and sustainability.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Team Management

• Lead, coach, and develop production teams, including supervisors and operators.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture with a strong focus on safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Set clear goals and KPIs for the production teams, ensuring alignment with company strategy.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and support development plans for team members.
• Ensure adequate staffing, shift planning, and skills coverage across all production are-as.
• Demonstrate strong decision-making and problem-solving skills that take into account the impact on production, supply chain, logistics, and customer commitments.
• Other tasks and duties may be assigned as required, provided they align with your skills and competencies.

Production Planning and Execution

• Oversee and manage daily, weekly, and monthly production planning in line with customer demand and capacity.
• Ensure efficient sequencing of production orders to minimize changeover times and bottlenecks.
• Monitor adherence to production schedules and take corrective actions in case of deviations.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain, Procurement, and Warehouse to secure material availability and flow.
• Ensure accurate reporting of production data (output, scrap, downtime, rework, etc.).

Process Optimization and Continuous Improvement

• Analyze production performance using KPIs (e.g. OEE, throughput, scrap rate, productivity).
• Identify and implement improvements in processes, layout, workflows, and equipment utilization.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing and problem-solving methodologies (e.g. 5S, Kaizen, root cause analysis).
• Drive standardization of work procedures and best practices across production lines.
• Lead or support cross-functional improvement projects focused on quality, cost, delivery, and productivity.
• Develop and execute a structured continuous improvement roadmap (e.g. value stream mapping, daily management, visual performance boards) with measurable impact on safety, delivery, quality, and cost.

Quality, Safety, and Management Systems (ISO)

• Ensure that production processes comply with quality standards and customer specifications.
• Work closely with Quality Assurance to prevent and resolve quality issues.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure full compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Conduct or support risk assessments and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Ensure that employees are trained and competent in quality and safety procedures.
• Take an active role in implementing, maintaining, and improving ISO-based management systems (e.g. ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 or equivalent), including:
• Supporting or leading certification and recertification activities
• Developing and updating procedures and work instructions
• Ensuring audit readiness and following up on findings and corrective actions

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Operational Effectiveness

• Collaborate with Engineering/Technical, Quality, Supply Chain, and other departments to support stable and efficient production.
• Provide feedback to Engineering and Product Management on manufacturability and product improvements.
• Coordinate maintenance activities to minimize production downtime and secure equipment reliability.
• Support industrialization of new products and processes, ensuring smooth ramp-up in production.
• Work closely with Supply Chain, Planning, Warehouse, and Logistics to understand and improve end-to-end material and information flows.
• Contribute actively to site-wide operations reviews and action plans, considering delivery performance, inventory, capacity, and cost-to-serve.

Compliance, Documentation, and Governance

• Ensure compliance with applicable internal policies, standards, and external regulations.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date production documentation and records for audits and traceability.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of work instructions, SOPs, and training materials.
• Embed ISO and other management-system requirements into day-to-day routines (e.g. change control, nonconformance management, corrective and preventive actions, management review inputs).

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in regular operations and management meetings.
• Prepare and present reports on production performance, KPIs, and improvement activities to senior management.
• Support HR in recruitment, onboarding, and training initiatives for production staff.
• Support other departments and functions as required to meet overall business objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Proven experience as a Production Manager, Production Supervisor, or similar role in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong track record in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement, with demonstrable results (e.g. OEE improvement, scrap reduction, lead time reduction).
• Hands-on experience working with and implementing ISO-based management systems (e.g. ISO 9001; ISO 14001; ISO 45001 or equivalent), including audits and certification/recertification processes.
• Experience leading cross-functional improvement projects across production, maintenance, quality, and supply chain/logistics.
• Solid understanding of production planning, capacity management, and material flow, with the ability to balance service, cost, and inventory.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex operational topics that affect multiple functions (e.g. delivery reliability, capacity constraints, inventory strategies).
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at different levels.
• Excellent communication skills and proficiency with production and KPI reporting systems; experience with ERP/MES is an advantage

This is what our employees say about us
“At Piab, I have the chance to leave my own footprint. The low hierarchy means my ideas are heard and valued. #LoveWhereIWork”

How to Apply: If you are passionate about innovation and want to make a difference in the world of automation, we would love to hear from you! Please apply by submitting your CV via our online application system.
Please be advised that a valid work permit for Italy is required for non‑EU citizens. Unfortunately, applications without a valid work permit cannot be considered.