Production Manager - Manufacturing

CHROME HEARTS®, the Fine Jewelry, Accessories, Shoes, Fragrance & Home Goods company renowned for its sophisticated life-inspired designs, was conceived in 1988 by Richard Stark in Los Angeles. Honoring a commitment to quality materials and timeless design, CHROME HEARTS® now has thirty+ stores across North America, Europe, and Asia, and can be found in the most exclusive boutiques around the world.

SUMMARY/OBJECTIVE

The Production Manager is responsible for leading day-to-day operations within Chrome Hearts’ manufacturing division, managing a team across press operations, finishing, polishing, complex assembly, and quality control. This role combines leadership and direct, hands-on production work to maintain flow, deepen process expertise, and ensure repeatable, high-quality output. The manager develops and enforces timing standards, oversees hiring and training, maintains production schedules, and partners closely with engineering and CAD teams to transition designs, tooling, and advanced manufacturing methods into serial production. Additional responsibilities include first-article qualifications, in-process quality control, material yield improvement, MRB activities, safety oversight, and support of prototype builds, repairs, and special projects.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of up to 15 employees (currently 11) across press operations, industrial finishing, polishing, complex assembly, and quality control.
• Oversee hiring, performance management, training, and disciplinary actions.
• Work alongside the team operating manual machines and hand processes and as needed to maintain production flow and deepen process expertise (true working manager role).
• Optimize material flow and resource utilization through all production stages.
• Develop, document, and enforce accurate timing standards; monitor and improve team adherence.
• Generate and maintain detailed production schedules.
• Collaborate closely with engineering and CAD teams to transition designs and tooling packages into repeatable serial production.
• Perform first-article qualifications, validate new tooling/processes, and train staff on new equipment and methods.
• Set and enforce in-process quality standards, lead material review board (MRB) activities, and drive root-cause resolution to maximize material yield.
• Partner with in-house machine shop to achieve precise geometric fits and tolerances in complex assemblies.
• Operate and maintain production data systems, advance tracking, reporting, and capacity forecasting capabilities.
• Support prototype builds, customer returns/repairs, and special projects outside standard eyewear production.
• Assist engineering in developing and implementing advanced manufacturing methods, tooling, and machinery.
• Establish, maintain, and enforce safety standards and protocols for the team.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of direct supervisory experience managing 8+ employees in a labor-intensive, precision manufacturing environment.
• Proven hands-on expertise in machine setup, tooling qualification, first-article inspection, and sustaining consistent output.
• Demonstrated ability to train and develop technicians on complex processes, tooling, and materials.
• Extensive experience with close-tolerance, multi-process geometric assemblies.
• Strong proficiency reading and interpreting mechanical drawings and technical documentation.
• Track record of creating and managing production schedules with multiple dependencies.
• Excellent organizational, multitasking, and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Superior communication skills—able to explain detailed concepts clearly in visual, verbal, and written form.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word); experience with production tracking/MES software a plus.
• Comfortable leading group brainstorming and process-improvement sessions.
• Familiarity with 3D printing and additive manufacturing is desirable.
• Strong safety awareness and commitment to maintaining a safe workplace.

BENEFITS

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Chrome Hearts provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

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