Manufacturing Project Manager Jobs in Manasquan, NJ

Company Overview

Merola Tile Distributors of America is a national leader in the tile distribution industry—importing, curating, and delivering exceptional, emotionally inspiring tiles from around the world. With a deep commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and style, Merola serves the diverse flooring and surface needs of customers across the U.S. and Canada.

What began as a family dream has grown into a vibrant, globally connected enterprise. Today, Merola proudly serves over 20,000 customers, partners with 650 distributors, and employs more than 130 dedicated team members who distribute an extensive range of products through independently owned tile showrooms and major e-commerce retailers. Through its three trusted brands—Merola Tile, SomerTile, and Pan American Ceramics—the company continues to bring inspired design directly into homes, offering a wide array of styles, textures, and patterns that redefine modern spaces.

At every level, Merola values its people. Collaboration, creativity, and innovation drive the company’s culture, where curiosity is encouraged, ideas are celebrated, and courtesy defines every interaction.

Summary

Join Merola Tile — a leader in the ceramic tile industry — as we seek a hands-on, detail-driven Production Manager to oversee our manufacturing and merchandising production operations. In this pivotal role, you’ll lead the production of mosaic tiles, sample boards, and merchandising materials — driving quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement across all stages of the process. We’re looking for a proactive leader who isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves, create clarity from complexity, and build streamlined systems that empower their team to succeed. If you have a passion for lean manufacturing, process optimization, and team development, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact in a fast-growing, innovative organization.

Responsibilities

Mosaic Manufacturing

· Oversee all aspects of mosaic tile production, ensuring quality, efficiency, and on-time order fulfillment.

· Develop and maintain production schedules to meet sales forecasts and customer demand.

·Maximize order fulfillment output while maintaining accuracy and minimizing defects.

· Collaborate with design and procurement teams to ensure raw material availability and efficient usage.

Board Merchandising Production

·Manage the production of sample boards and merchandising tools used for sales and marketing.

·Manage all processes and production of all samples required by the company, including inventory management, scheduling, resource planning, and allocation

·Coordinate with sales, marketing, and product teams to align production with launch timelines and merchandising needs.

·Define and manage merchandising production budgets (materials, labor, shipping).

·Ensure all merchandising output meets company standards for quality and consistency.

Returns Process Oversight & Packaging Optimization

·Manage the return inspection process with a focus on identifying packaging issues, product damage trends, and opportunities for improvement.

·Collaborate with the warehouse and customer service teams to evaluate returned products for potential reuse as samples or in mosaic production.

·Implement and refine universal packaging methods that meet or exceed company standards for durability, branding, and cost-efficiency.

·Use return data to inform enhancements in packaging design and material selection.

Leadership & Process Improvement

·Manage and mentor production staff across all relevant areas (mosaic, merchandising, returns).

·Identify and implement continuous process improvement to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and improve accuracy.

·Apply Lean tools such as 5S, root cause analysis, standard work, and visual management to drive consistency and productivity.

· Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs), including fulfillment rates, production accuracy, return reasons, and turnaround times.

·Champion safety, quality control, and continuous improvement across all production processes.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in production or manufacturing management (tile or building materials industry preferred).
• Lean and Six sigma experience
• Strong understanding of production scheduling, order fulfillment, packaging, and process optimization.
• Experience in evaluating and improving packaging processes based on return data and customer feedback.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and ERP/production planning systems.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• In-depth knowledge of Lean principles and Six Sigma methodologies, with the ability to apply them to optimize processes, eliminate waste, and drive continuous improvement.
• Proven leadership and development of project-based manufacturing operations.
• Experience managing a team of direct reports and a passion for motivating and coaching people.
• Strong organizational, planning, and leadership skills.
• Excellent communication skills; written and verbal.
• Experience in the tile, stone, flooring, or related materials industry, preferred

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to bend, stand, walk, and move around a production facility for extended periods.
• Comfortable working in a hands-on environment with both materials and machinery.

Competencies

Leadership --Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self-available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback; Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products and services;

Business Acumen--Understands business implications of decisions; Displays orientation to profitability; Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals.

Judgment-- Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions. Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.

Accountability-- Take ownership and accept responsibility of actions, Set the bar high and acknowledge all levels of performance from self and others, Document lessons and commit to fair and consistent correctio of sub-standard work performance

Change Management—Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results

Dependability--Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan. Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.

Cost Consciousness--Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Contributes to profits and revenue; Conserves organizational resources.

Additional Notes

• Must be authorized to work in the United States.

COMPANY CORE VALUES

Merola Tile Fundamentals

We stay true to our mission statement “Improving Homes. Improving Lives.” With our product we improve homes, but it is with our collective effort that we improve lives. Our Fundamentals describe the values, behaviors, principles, and practices that are the foundation of our unique workplace. It explains how we relate to each other, our clients, and even our suppliers. It’s who we are, and it’s what drives our extraordinary success. It’s our commitment to each other to improve our lives.

Merola Fundamentals | Merola Tile

Benefits:

• Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• 9 Annual Paid Holidays (including New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas)
• Paid Time Off — earned and accrued from your first day with the company
• 401(k) Plan with company match (eligibility after 1 month)
• Employer-Paid Life Insurance
• Performance Reviews after 90 days and annually
• Quarterly Company Goals — opportunity to earn up to 4 weeks of additional bonus pay annually
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee Referral Bonus Program
• Employee Discount on tile after 6 months
• Fresh Fruit, Coffee, Hot Chocolate, and Tea provided daily
• Weekly Company Lunches
• Company Culture Events — BBQs, Ugly Sweater Day, T-shirt making, Halloween contests, and more
• Fun, Friendly, Family-Like Environment