Extrusion Engineer & Production Manager
Patrick Industries · Sparta, TN
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Production
- Travel
- 10%
- Degree
- Preferred
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Automotive
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
A management production role at Patrick Industries (automotive) in Sparta, TN. Promote employee engagement and effective communication throughout the manufacturing operation.
- They ask for
- 3+ years · degree preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Root cause, Extrusion, Tooling
- Day to day
- about 10% travel
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Production Engineer roles in the US: typical posted base $114k–$160k.
Median of the low and high ends of 354 live postings that list pay, out of 1091 production engineer openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Tennessee plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 24 other live production postings in Tennessee.
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 5+)
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Lean 60%
- ✓ Team leadership 56%
- EHS / safety 28%
- ✓ New product launch 24%
- ✓ Root cause 24%
- Six Sigma 20%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Extrusion, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Production team at Patrick Industries
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- The posting says about 10% travel. Between which sites?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
Full description from Patrick IndustriesAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
responsibilities
within the organization.
requirements
and production targets
- ✓Assist with production scheduling and monitor manufacturing performance metrics
- ✓Identify and implement opportunities to improve uptime, throughput, efficiency, and scrap reduction
- ✓Maintain manufacturing standards including BOMs, work instructions, operating procedures, and process documentation
- ✓Coordinate activities between Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Production, and Supply Chain teams
- ✓Ensure operational objectives are achieved while maintaining safety and quality expectations
responsibilities
- ◆Promote employee engagement and effective communication throughout the manufacturing operation
requirements
- ✓Support quality management initiatives and corrective action activities
- ✓Maintain a safe, clean, and organized manufacturing environment
- ✓Promote safe work practices and employee compliance with established procedures
- ✓Participate in audits, inspections, and compliance-related activities
- ✓Support continuous improvement of safety and quality performance metrics
Qualifications
and Skills
- ✓Bachelor's degree in Plastics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent hands-on extrusion experience may be considered
- ✓3+ years of experience in plastic extrusion, polymer processing, or related manufacturing environments
- ✓Strong knowledge of extrusion processes, tooling, dies, downstream equipment, line setup, troubleshooting, and process optimization
- ✓Experience evaluating polymer materials, resins, additives, and manufacturing processes
- ✓Experience supporting new product development, production launches, and manufacturing improvement initiatives
- ✓Leadership experience or demonstrated leadership potential preferred
- ✓Exposure to production scheduling, workforce supervision, and manufacturing operations management preferred
- ✓Familiarity with ERP systems, manufacturing documentation systems, and production reporting tools preferred
- ✓Experience with Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvem
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Patrick Industries, a publicly traded company headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana, invites you to join a team of dedicated Team Members who are passionate about delivering high-quality products and exceptional customer service. As a leading solutions provider serving a diverse range of markets across the United States, our commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability has positioned us as a high growth, diversified and empowered Team of more than 10,000! Your adventure awaits!
TACO Metals, empowered by Patrick Industries, is seeking an Extrusion Engineer & Production Manager. The Extrusion Engineer & Production Manager is responsible for supporting the technical, operational, and leadership functions of TACO Metals' Plastics Manufacturing Department. This role combines hands-on extrusion engineering expertise with manufacturing operations leadership to ensure efficient production, high product quality, continuous improvement, and workforce development. Working closely with department leadership, the position supports extrusion process optimization, new product launches, production management, employee development, capital planning, and operational excellence while preparing for increased leadership
Extrusion Engineering & Process Optimization
- •Develop, implement, optimize, and troubleshoot plastic extrusion processes to improve efficiency, quality, and throughput
- •Design, evaluate, and improve extrusion tooling, dies, and downstream equipment
- •Establish and maintain process parameters, operational standards, and manufacturing documentation
- •Evaluate raw materials, resins, and additives for performance, compatibility, and manufacturability
- •Support new product development activities, prototype trials, and production launches
- •Lead root cause analysis and corrective action efforts related to quality, process performance, and equipment reliability
Production Management & Manufacturing Operations
- •Support daily manufacturing operations across all shifts to meet customer
Leadership & Workforce Development
- •Provide technical training, coaching, and mentorship to extrusion operators and production employees
- •Support employee development, succession planning, and knowledge transfer initiatives
- •Assist with workforce management activities and daily production team support
- •Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and teamwork
- •Develop leadership capabilities to support future departmental management
Equipment Reliability & Maintenance Support
- •Partner with Maintenance to support preventive maintenance programs for extrusion equipment and related systems
- •Assist in troubleshooting equipment issues and developing corrective actions
- •Evaluate equipment performance and recommend improvements to increase reliability and productivity
- •Support equipment upgrades, installations, and operational readiness activities
- •Participate in capital planning and equipment replacement initiatives
- •Ensure manufacturing equipment operates safely and efficiently
Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence
- •Identify and implement opportunities to improve productivity, quality, cost performance, and operational efficiency
- •Lead and participate in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives
- •Evaluate emerging extrusion technologies, materials, and manufacturing methods
- •Support waste reduction, process improvement, and cost-control programs
- •Monitor production metrics and recommend actions to improve business performance
- •Promote best practices throughout manufacturing operations
Safety, Quality & Compliance
- •Ensure compliance with company safety, quality, environmental, and regulatory