Production Planning & Continuous Improvement Manager
Bakes & Kropp Fine Cabinetry
Mount Clemens, MI | Full-Time | On-Site
Salary: $90,000 to $110,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications, plus profit sharing and benefits.
About Bakes & Kropp
Bakes & Kropp Fine Cabinetry designs and manufactures exceptional custom cabinetry for some of the finest homes in the country. Our reputation is built on outstanding craftsmanship, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence.
As we continue to grow, we are looking for an experienced manufacturing professional who can strengthen our production planning, improve workflow, and help our operation become even more efficient and predictable.
Position Overview
The Production Planning & Continuous Improvement Manager will own the manufacturing schedule, coordinate production flow, and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and operational performance.
Our custom manufacturing environment requires thoughtful planning, an understanding of how each stage of production affects the next, and the ability to anticipate challenges before they impact deadlines or productivity.
Reporting to the Director of Operations, this person will work closely with production supervisors and departments across the organization to ensure work is properly scheduled, priorities are clear, and production flows efficiently.
This is not a traditional shop-floor personnel management role. Production supervisors manage their respective teams. This position focuses on production planning, coordination, process improvement, and accountability across the manufacturing operation.
Key Responsibilities
Production Planning and Scheduling
Own and maintain the master production schedule, balancing project deadlines, manufacturing capacity, and production priorities.
Understand the sequence of manufacturing operations and coordinate work between departments to maintain efficient production flow.
Anticipate capacity constraints, material shortages, scheduling conflicts, and potential delays.
Ensure projects are prepared for production with the necessary drawings, specifications, information, and materials.
Monitor production progress and adjust schedules as needed to maintain priorities and delivery commitments.
Maintain clear visibility into production status, upcoming workloads, and projected completion dates.
Manufacturing Efficiency and Continuous Improvement
Evaluate manufacturing processes to identify bottlenecks, wasted time, unnecessary handling, and opportunities to increase productivity.
Develop and implement practical improvements to workflow, job sequencing, and resource utilization.
Establish and monitor meaningful performance metrics, including throughput, schedule adherence, production delays, and efficiency.
Improve production planning tools, tracking systems, reporting, and operational procedures.
Apply Lean manufacturing, Kaizen, 5S, and other continuous improvement methods where appropriate.
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and control costs without compromising craftsmanship, quality, or the customer experience.
Coordination and Accountability
Lead production planning meetings focused on priorities, schedule status, constraints, and problem-solving.
Coordinate with production supervisors, purchasing, engineering, and project management to support effective handoffs and reliable execution.
Communicate priorities, schedule changes, and potential challenges clearly.
Establish ownership of production commitments and follow through on improvement initiatives.
Provide leadership with accurate operational information and recommendations for improvement.
Qualifications and Experience
Demonstrated experience in manufacturing production planning, scheduling, operations, or process improvement.
Strong understanding of manufacturing workflows, production sequencing, capacity planning, and operational constraints.
Proven ability to improve scheduling accuracy, production efficiency, throughput, or on-time delivery.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop practical solutions to complex production challenges.
Proficiency in Excel and manufacturing planning, scheduling, or tracking systems.
Strong communication, organization, initiative, and follow-through.
Ability to build credibility with experienced production teams and work collaboratively with supervisors and department leaders.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in custom, make-to-order, or high-mix manufacturing.
Experience in cabinetry, architectural millwork, furniture, woodworking, or other precision manufacturing environments.
Knowledge of Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or industrial engineering principles.
Experience developing or improving ERP/MRP systems, production scheduling tools, and operational reporting.
A degree in manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, operations management, or a related field is preferred but not required. Equivalent experience and demonstrated results are valued.
What Success Looks Like
Within the first year, the successful candidate will work toward:
Establishing a reliable production scheduling and capacity-planning process.
Improving visibility into production workloads, priorities, and completion dates.
Identifying and addressing recurring production bottlenecks.
Implementing meaningful performance metrics and practical workflow improvements.
Strengthening coordination between departments and improving production predictability.
Demonstrating measurable improvements in productivity and operational efficiency while maintaining our high standards for quality and craftsmanship.
Our Core Values
At Bakes & Kropp, how we achieve results matters just as much as the results themselves. Our core values guide our decisions, relationships, and daily work.
Communicate Well: Share information openly, listen to others, and address issues directly and professionally.
Keep Improving: Look for better ways to work and turn opportunities into meaningful improvements.
Bring Passion: Take pride in your work and pursue excellence.
Be Respectful: Treat others professionally and work through challenges constructively.
Drive Outcomes: Take ownership, follow through on commitments, and focus on results that support the success of the entire company.
We are looking for someone who earns trust, strengthens teamwork, accepts accountability, and sets teammates up for success.
Compensation and Benefits
Annual base salary of $90,000 to $110,000, based on experience and qualifications.
Benefits include:
Healthcare insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life insurance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
401(k) with company matching
Profit sharing
Unlimited PTO
Paid holidays
Work Location
Bakes & Kropp Fine Cabinetry
Mount Clemens, Michigan
Full-time, on-site position reporting to the Director of Operations.