LettrLabs

Head of Production

Chicago, IL (On-site)

Job Title: Head of Production Role Details Title Head of Production Location Chicago based Oversees Midwest and West Coast production Monthly travel required Full time Reports To Head of Operations Compensation Base salary $125,000 to $150,000 + Bonus & Equity Role Overview We are seeking a Head of Production to lead and scale our manufacturing operations across multiple production facilities, while directly running our primary (flagship) site. This role owns end-to-end production performance: from equipment uptime and process design to SLA delivery, capacity planning, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in the print manufacturing industry, thrives in fast-moving, custom-engineered environments, and is comfortable managing both people and complex production systems. You will work closely with engineering, maintenance, and production leadership to ensure operational excellence today while building the foundation for scalable growth. Key Responsibilities Multi-Site Production Leadership Provide strategic and operational oversight across all production facilities. Directly manage and operate the main production facility, setting the standard for performance, processes, and culture. Ensure alignment of workflows, quality standards, KPIs, and SOPs across sites. Production Management & Performance Lead and mentor Production Managers across facilities. Define, implement, and continuously improve core production KPIs (throughput, yield, uptime, lead times, SLA adherence, cost efficiency). Design and implement production tracking and reporting systems to ensure real-time visibility and accountability. Guarantee consistent achievement of customer and internal SLAs. Maintenance & Technical Operations Oversee the maintenance technician group, ensuring equipment reliability, preventative maintenance, and rapid issue resolution. Work closely with in-house technicians and engineers in an environment with custom-built and modified equipment. Drive continuous improvements in equipment uptime, safety, and performance. Process, Workflow & SOP Ownership Own all manufacturing processes, workflows, and SOPs related to production of our product. Ensure processes are documented, standardized, and continuously optimized. Identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and failure points; lead initiatives to eliminate them. Capacity Planning & Scaling Forecast production demand, capacity requirements, staffing, and equipment needs. Model and plan scalable production systems that can grow with the business. Lead production ramp-ups, new lines, and facility expansions as needed. Production Modeling & SLA Assurance Model the end-to-end production process to ensure we can reliably meet current and future SLAs. Use data, simulations, and scenario planning to stress-test production plans. Proactively identify risks to delivery and implement mitigation strategies. Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Leadership teams. Translate business objectives into executable production plans. Provide clear communication on production performance, risks, and improvement initiatives. Required Experience & Qualifications Significant experience in the manufacturing industry, ideally in a production leadership role (print industry a plus). Proven track record working in dynamic, fast-paced environments with: Custom-built or heavily modified equipment In-house engineering and technician teams Strong experience managing: Maintenance technician groups Production managers and frontline production teams Demonstrated ability to: Define and manage KPIs Implement production tracking and reporting systems Deliver against strict SLAs Experience forecasting demand and scaling production operations successfully. Deep understanding of manufacturing processes, workflow design, and SOP management. Key Skills & Attributes Systems thinker with the ability to model and optimize complex production processes Highly data-driven, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills Hands-on leader who is comfortable on the production floor Strong communicator capable of aligning technical teams and leadership Bias toward action, ownership, and continuous improvement Comfortable balancing short-term delivery with long-term scalability What Success Looks Like Production consistently meets or exceeds SLAs across all facilities High equipment uptime and predictable output from custom machinery Clear, reliable production data and KPIs used daily to drive decisions Scalable, well-documented processes that support rapid growth Strong, empowered production and maintenance teams with clear accountability Actual base salary offered will be determined by: experience, skills, and work location. This range is meant to cover total compensation and benefits. We welcome you to apply even if your expectations are outside our listed range. LettrLabs USA $125,000—$150,000 USD Actual base salary offered will be determined by: experience, skills, and work location. This range is for base salary, our total compensation includes equity and benefits. We welcome you to apply even if your expectations are outside our listed range. LettrLabs is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. LettrLabs is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures and throughout employment. If you need assistance or any accommodation, please let us know. LettrLabs does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies without a fully executed recruitment agreement in place. In the absence of such agreement, LettrLabs reserves the right to pursue and hire any candidates without an obligation to pay fees. Agencies are requested not to contact LettrLabs hiring managers or employees regarding recruiting services.