Production Manager - 3DP
Protolabs · Raleigh, NC
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Production
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 4+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management production role at Protolabs (industrial) in Raleigh, NC.
- They ask for
- 4+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Kaizen, Value stream mapping, Casting, Capacity planning, EHS / safety
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Production Engineer roles in North Carolina: typical posted base $98k–$145k.
Median of the low and high ends of 7 live postings that list pay, out of 35 production engineer openings in North Carolina, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
North Carolina plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 34 other live production postings in North Carolina.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (4+ vs 8+)
Typical $98k–$145k, from 6 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 8+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Lean 51%
- ✓ Team leadership 40%
- Six Sigma 29%
- ✓ EHS / safety 23%
- Root cause 20%
- Automation 20%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Capacity planning, 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 Protolabs
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?
- 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 ProtolabsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
What You Will Do
- ◆Lead manufacturing operations, including staffing, capacity planning, scheduling, inventory, purchasing, safety, quality, maintenance, and cost management.
- ◆Direct, coach, and develop supervisors and high-potential employees to build a strong, engaged workforce.
- ◆Assess capacity needs and implement staffing strategies to attract, retain, and optimize talent.
- ◆Manage labor efficiency, resource allocation, workload, and backlog to meet delivery and financial goals.
- ◆Develop and implement manufacturing processes, quality standards, safety programs, and training initiatives that support operational excellence.
- ◆Oversee budgeting, planning, inventory control, and cost accounting activities within assigned areas.
- ◆Partner with finance and other functions to improve forecasting, planning, and operational performance tools.
- ◆Support the deployment and enhancement of technology solutions that improve manufacturing operations and customer value.
- ◆Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including Proto Excellence, process optimization, quality, cost, and delivery performance.
- ◆Recommend capital investments to support operational growth and efficiency.
- ◆Communicate key operational updates and priorities to supervisors and stakeholders.
Significant people management experience
Able to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented work environment
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Be yourself at Protolabs
Why Protolabs?
We are the leaders in digital manufacturing. We hire doers, makers, and creative thinkers who tackle our roles with an entrepreneurial spirit. Our culture is centered around meaningful work that brings new and innovative products to market at unprecedented speeds. We are a diverse team that comes from all walks of life and take pride in our team who is smart, genuine, humble, and passionate about what we do. It’s our people who fuel our creativity and make our culture feel like home.
Join our team as a
Production Manager, 3DPrinting!
This is an ONSITE role based on Raleigh, NC.
The Production Manager for the 3DP service line plans, directs, and coordinates additive manufacturing operations across a designated technology group to achieve Protolabs’ operating objectives. Owning the end-to-end value stream, this role ensures effective pre-build execution— including scheduling and analysis, build preparation, and schedule adherence— and leads all post-build activities— including build processing, final finishing, secondary operations, and inspection. The manager drives on-time delivery, quality, safety, and cost performance while overseeing supporting processes such as material management and non-production equipment to ensure successful completion of customer orders.
What You Bring
- •Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or an engineering discipline, or equivilant
At least 4 years supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment, leading a large team
What Sets You Apart
Prior experience with 3D Printing or Additive Manufacturing preferred
What's In It For You
- •We offer a competitive salary and total rewards package
- •We offer amazing benefits including but not limited to:
- •Health Insurance: Traditional OR High Deductible plan
- •Flexible Spending Accounts
- •Health Savings Account (including employer contributions)
- •Dental and Vision
- •Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance
- •Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
- •Paid caregiver leave
- •You will receive at least 3 weeks of PTO + Wellness + Holiday Pay + Volunteer Hours
- •401k with company match and immediate vest
- •Employee Stock Purchase Program at a discounted rate
- •Matching grants through Protolabs foundation
- •And More!