General Manager

Position Summary

The position of General Manager for Pero Family Farms Food Company, LLC is located in Benton Harbor, MI at our fully integrated facility. This is an all-encompassing position that is important to the continued success of the company. This position exhibits strong communication and leadership. Overseeing all aspects of the operations while working closely with Pero Family Farms Corporate Supply, Operations, Distribution, and Sales Teams.

Job Overview

• Oversee daily/weekly schedules and shifts.
• Monitor and control all costs associated with the Benton Harbor, MI regional facility including: the facility, equipment, production, supplies, and transportation.
• Accountable for general management of Benton Harbor, MI regional facility: Production, Quality Assurance, Inventory Control, Sanitation, Maintenance, Purchasing, and Supervision of employees.
• Work closely with the Food Safety Manager to ensure compliance with internal procedures and external third-party audits performed on a regular basis and to ensure all areas follow OSHA Guidelines and Primus Lab requirements.
• Ensure all Famous (Warehouse Management System) procedures are followed and documented.
• Participate as a member of the company product recall team.
• Provide leadership and direction for facility personnel such as: Motivation, Evaluation, Guidance, Employee Relations’ Issues, and Attendance.

Safety, Health and Quality

• Comply, maintain and enforce all company policies, procedures and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Ensure safety is the cornerstone of the operational facility, characterized by high operator awareness and involvement, and results in zero lost or accidents.
• Assure good housekeeping and organization is in place in the operational facility.
• Maintain safe and healthy work environment by establishing, following and enforcing standards and procedures; complying with legal regulations.
• Communicate with Legal Counsel and safety department to ensure all processes remain compliant with OSHA and other governmental regulations.
• Initiate corrective actions to audit deficiencies.

Manufacturing

• Ensure order fulfillment, product traceability, and product quality measures are being met daily.
• Train personnel on proper use of equipment.
• Participate in operational problems resolution.
• Prepare an annual budget and schedule expenditures.
• Ensure preventive/predictive maintenance systems is routinely used to plan/schedule equipment and facility maintenance.
• Track vendor pricing and service levels.
• Develop, implement, enforce and evaluate policies and procedures; follow SOP’s for all manufacturing operations (receiving product, equipment utilization, production, inventory management or shipping).
• Meet or exceed labor budget KPI’s such as labor cost, per pound, bags per minute, etc.
• Review and approve all operational invoices and ensure they are submitted for payment.
• Serve as primary point of contact when there are customer issues related to equipment quality, customer service, or accidents on-site.
• Communicate customer issues with operations team and devise ways of improving the customer experience, including resolving problems and complaints.
• Minimize shrinkage of product and maximize yield

Workforce Management

• Recruit, select, train, assign, schedule, coach, counsel, and discipline direct reports.
• Communicate job expectations; communicate effectively at staff meetings, conduct employee reviews, etc.
• Manage staff levels, wages, hours, contract labor to revenues.

Working Conditions

• Primarily a production floor and office-based role, with frequent presence on-site to oversee operations.
• Standard business hours apply, though extended hours, early mornings, evenings, or weekends may be required to meet operational goals.
• Fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with responsibility for overall operational efficiency, product quality, safety, and profitability.
• Frequent interaction with production staff, QA/QC teams, supply chain, procurement, and senior management.
• Exposure to production and warehouse environments, including refrigeration, cutting lines, packaging areas, and industrial equipment.
• May require occasional travel to supplier sites, customer facilities, or other company locations.
• Requires strict adherence to safety protocols, food safety standards (HACCP, FSMA, GMPs), and company policies.
• Exposure to chemical components such as chlorine, etc.
• Constant exposure to temperature of 36-45 degrees or below.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Agriculture, Food Science, or a related field. A Master's degree is a plus.
• A minimum of 7-10 years of experience in a leadership role within the fresh produce or food manufacturing industry.
• Proven experience as a General Manager or in a similar leadership role.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, quality control, and supply chain management.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in financial management and budgeting.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations and compliance requirements.

Company Benefits/Perks

• 401(k)
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance and more
• Paid Time Off (PTO)