Production Operations Manager (fixed term contract) - all genders

tonies is the world’s leading interactive audio platform for children, with over 12 million Tonieboxes and 173 million Tonies sold globally. Our intuitive, screen-free system empowers children to learn and play independently in a safe and engaging way. With a presence in over 100 countries and a diverse portfolio of ~1,500 Tonies across multiple languages, we continue to redefine how children experience storytelling and learning. Since our IPO in 2021, our global team of 630+ colleagues is united by a shared mission: shaping the future of play, learning, and imagination. As a Production Operations Manager, you are responsible for managing and executing end-to-end production operations, ensuring efficient, stable, and high-quality manufacturing performance. You work closely with suppliers and collaborate with internal stakeholders, including Quality, Supply Chain, Global Procurement, Production Realization, and Production Excellence, to drive operational alignment and successful delivery of production targets. You support the implementation of Lean practices and continuous improvement initiatives, helping to ensure that operational standards are consistently maintained and optimized across our global network. Given the close collaboration with our suppliers in Asia, this role requires regular business trips per year to Asia to visit supplier sites, and the ability to respond quickly to urgent production-related requests. What you'll do - Oversee production operations, ensuring operational efficiency, quality, and stability - Coordinate with suppliers and internal teams to maintain production readiness and resolve operational issues - Act as an on-the-ground point of contact during supplier visits in Asia, and respond promptly to production-critical issues as they arise - Support Lean practices and continuous improvement initiatives across the production environment - Monitor and optimize production performance, workflow, manpower, materials, and equipment utilization - Track and act upon operational KPIs to maintain throughput, reduce waste, and ensure reliability - Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and environmental standards What you bring - University degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Production Technology, or a related field; an engineering background is preferred - Minimum 3 years of professional experience in production operations, manufacturing, or shopfloor management - Hands-on experience with production processes, workflow optimization, and operational KPIs - Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement concepts (supportive role) - Strong organizational, problem-solving, and coordination skills - Ability to work cross-functionally and collaborate with suppliers - Excellent communication skills in English and availability to regularly travel internationally (3/4 times a year) - Ability to react quickly and reliably to time-sensitive production requests - Proficiency with Jira and Confluence, and familiarity with Google Workspace tools (e.g., Google Docs, Sheets) What Sets You Apart - Strong operational focus with a hands-on, pragmatic approach - Ability to manage multiple production priorities simultaneously - Execution-oriented mindset with end-to-end thinking - Collaborative, structured, and solution-driven - Commitment to delivering stable, high-performance production - Comfortable working across time zones and cultures, with prior experience engaging Asian suppliers a plus Why Join Us? - Global teamwork: We work together across departmental and national borders on our vision of bringing the Toniebox to every child's room in the world. - Come as you are: This applies not only to the dress code, but to everything else as well. Because you can only give your best when you feel truly comfortable. - Mobility: Choose the offer that best suits you – a Germany ticket for unlimited mobility, a monthly payment of fifty euros for an office parking space, a leased bicycle or a remote work allowance. - Protection: Benefit from subsidies for employee savings plans, company pension schemes and disability insurance. - Relaxation & Time Out: Enjoy 30 days of paid annual leave plus three additional days off, such as Carnival Monday, Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve. After one year of employment, you can also take up to 10 "toniecation days" (unpaid leave). - Continuous professional development: Benefit from our internal and external training opportunities as well as an individual learning budget to continuously expand your knowledge. - Language learning and relaxation made easy: Improve your communication skills with the Babbel language learning app and find relaxation through our access to the Calm meditation app. - Discounts: Benefit from attractive discounts on our entire tonies range.     As part of our principles, we are committed to supporting inclusion and diversity at tonies. We actively celebrate our colleagues’ different abilities, ethnicities, faith and gender. Everyone is welcome and supported in their development at all stages in their journey with us. We look forward to hearing from you!