Production Manager
*Job Overview*
Production Manager – Sign Manufacturing & Fabrication
About Us
FASTSIGNS St. Johns Bluff is a locally owned and operated commercial signage and visual communications company that has served the Jacksonville area for more than 30 years.
We are a high-volume, full-service sign manufacturing facility with approximately 25 employees and extensive in-house production capabilities. Unlike operations focused primarily on printed graphics, our facility handles projects from design and project management through manufacturing, fabrication, and installation.
Our work supports a wide range of industries, including professional sports and entertainment, higher education, K-12 education, government and municipal agencies, transportation, healthcare, commercial construction, retail, hospitality, and corporate environments.
Projects range from traditional graphics and interior signage to large-scale architectural signage, ADA signage, custom fabricated structures, illuminated signage, dimensional lettering, wayfinding systems, environmental graphics, and complex multi-location projects.
We are looking for a *Production Manager* who can lead the people, processes, equipment, quality, and scheduling behind that operation.
The Position
The Production Manager reports to the Director of Operations and is responsible for the day-to-day management of our in-house manufacturing operation.
This is *not strictly a wide-format print production position*. The successful candidate will oversee a diverse production environment that includes:
* Wide-format digital printing and vinyl production
* CNC routing and machining
* Digital cutting
* Laser cutting and engraving
* ADA/tactile and Braille signage
* Aluminum and steel fabrication
* Welding
* Custom sign cabinets and raceways
* Dimensional letters and logos
* Painting and finishing
* Electrical and illuminated sign assembly
* General sign assembly and finishing
* Quality control and installation preparation
We do not expect the Production Manager to be the best welder, CNC operator, printer technician, painter, and sign fabricator in the building. We *do* expect this person to develop enough technical understanding of each operation to effectively manage the employees performing the work, recognize problems, maintain quality standards, and keep projects moving.
Key Responsibilities
*Production Management & Scheduling*
* Plan and manage daily and weekly production schedules.
* Assign work based on employee skill, equipment requirements, workload, and project deadlines.
* Coordinate workflow between print, CNC, fabrication, paint, ADA, electrical assembly, and finishing.
* Monitor projects from production release through completion.
* Identify schedule risks and production bottlenecks before they affect installation or customer commitments.
* Coordinate production priorities with Project Management and the Director of Operations.
*Team Leadership*
* Direct, coach, train, and develop production employees.
* Establish clear expectations for productivity, workmanship, safety, attendance, and accountability.
* Conduct regular production-floor reviews and communicate daily priorities.
* Identify training and cross-training opportunities.
* Address performance concerns promptly and professionally.
* Help develop leads and employees capable of assuming greater responsibility.
*Fabrication & Manufacturing*
* Oversee CNC routing, laser operations, welding, metal fabrication, machining, painting, assembly, and finishing.
* Review shop drawings and production specifications before complex projects enter manufacturing.
* Ensure manufactured components match approved dimensions, materials, construction methods, and engineering requirements where applicable.
* Coordinate manufacturing sequences for projects requiring multiple production disciplines.
*Print & Graphics*
* Oversee wide-format printing, vinyl production, laminating, cutting, finishing, banners, wall graphics, window graphics, and other digital graphics.
* Maintain standards for print quality, color, material selection, panel sequencing, finishing, and labeling.
* Help troubleshoot production and equipment issues.
*ADA & Code-Compliant Signage*
* Oversee production of ADA/tactile signage and ensure established production standards are followed.
* Develop working knowledge of requirements involving tactile characters, Braille, pictograms, contrast, finishes, dimensions, and mounting criteria.
* Recognize when compliance questions require additional review rather than making assumptions.
*Quality Control*
* Maintain quality-control standards throughout the manufacturing process.
* Verify dimensions, quantities, materials, colors, messages, finishes, hardware, fabrication, and assembly.
* Identify root causes of remakes, reprints, and production errors.
* Implement corrective measures to prevent recurring problems.
* Ensure finished products are complete and installation-ready before leaving Production.
*Equipment, Materials & Facility*
* Maintain organization of production equipment, tools, materials, and work areas.
* Coordinate preventive maintenance and equipment repairs.
* Monitor material inventory and identify shortages before they affect production.
* Reduce unnecessary material waste and improve material utilization.
* Maintain clean, organized, and safe production and fabrication areas.
*Safety*
* Enforce company safety policies and required PPE.
* Maintain safe practices around CNC equipment, lasers, welding, painting, machinery, chemicals, and material handling.
* Correct unsafe conditions and behaviors immediately.
* Promote a production culture where deadlines never take priority over safety.
What We're Looking For
The ideal candidate will have:
* 5+ years of experience in signage, manufacturing, fabrication, graphics production, or a related environment.
* Previous supervisory, lead, or management experience.
* Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving ability.
* Experience managing multiple projects and competing deadlines.
* Ability to read shop drawings, measurements, and technical specifications.
* Experience with CNC, fabrication, welding, wide-format printing, painting, or sign manufacturing is highly desirable.
* Strong organizational and communication skills.
* Ability to lead skilled employees from different technical backgrounds.
* Comfort working in a hands-on manufacturing environment.
* Working knowledge of production software, ERP systems, or manufacturing-management systems.
* Commercial sign-industry experience is strongly preferred, but candidates with substantial relevant manufacturing or fabrication experience are encouraged to apply.
What Success Looks Like
A successful Production Manager knows what is currently being manufactured, who is responsible for it, when it needs to be completed, what materials and equipment are required, where potential problems exist, and whether the finished product meets our quality standards and is truly ready for installation.
This position is ultimately about *ownership*. We are looking for someone who can lead the department, develop the team, solve problems, improve processes, and progressively take ownership of the day-to-day manufacturing operation.
Compensation
*Pay Range: $71,000–$80,000 per year*
Compensation within the posted range will be based on relevant experience, technical knowledge, leadership background, and demonstrated ability to manage a diverse manufacturing environment.
Candidates with significant commercial sign manufacturing, custom fabrication, CNC, welding, electrical signage, or comparable manufacturing-management experience may qualify toward the higher end of the range.
Benefits
Our compensation package includes:
* Company-paid employee healthcare
* 401(k) with company matching
* Paid time off
* Paid holidays
* Structured management training and development
* Opportunities for continued professional and leadership development
* Long-term advancement opportunities within a growing operation
Work Environment
This is an *on-site management position* within an active commercial sign manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, Florida.
The Production Manager will spend significant time on the production floor and should be comfortable working around manufacturing equipment, CNC machinery, welding operations, painting, power tools, printing equipment, and large-format sign products.
This is not a desk-only management position. We are looking for someone who enjoys manufacturing, solving problems, developing people, and seeing complex projects move from a drawing to a finished product.
*If you have a background in sign manufacturing, fabrication, production management, or a related manufacturing environment and are ready to take ownership of a diverse production operation, we encourage you to apply.*
Pay: $65,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* 401(k) matching
* Dental insurance
* Health insurance
* On-the-job training
* Paid time off
* Vision insurance
Work Location: In person