Production Manager

About the Role

The Production Manager oversees all aspects of the Production and Production Warehouse departments across multiple locations and serves as the primary contact for IT and technical issues. This role involves managing expense and capital budgets, leading teams, and ensuring employee engagement.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain production plans to ensure orders are completed on time.
• Determine headcount requirements and labor utilization to achieve production and business goals.
• Schedule equipment and team resources to support production plans.
• Track component yield rates to meet or exceed business goals.
• Manage work order maintenance, ensuring audits and closures in appropriate fiscal periods.
• Set and monitor performance metrics for each department to track productivity and align with business goals.
• Benchmark metrics using internal and external resources.
• Develop and monitor annual department budgets.
• Plan and manage resources to achieve budget goals while delivering required output.
• Track actual expenses vs. budget and ensure alignment with financial goals.
• Direct, coordinate, and monitor daily activities and performance standards for compliance with company policies, quality, and safety.
• Coach and develop supervisors and teams to balance productivity, quality, and customer service.
• Maintain a positive and safe work environment.
• Oversee employee relations, including staff selection, performance evaluations, corrective action, and terminations.
• Establish performance goals, monitor progress, and provide feedback.
• Manage employee performance through motivation, delegation, development, mentoring, and conflict resolution.
• Develop, provide, or coordinate training as needed.
• Consult with the Human Resources Department as appropriate.
• Conduct regular department meetings to foster engagement, communicate policy changes, and address concerns.
• Order and procure materials and services as needed.
• Serve as the key IT, telecom, and systems contact for the business unit.
• Identify and implement areas for improvement in each department.
• Maintain availability across all shifts.
• Provide and maintain a safe work environment through safety training and SOP reviews.
• Coordinate emergency response or crisis management activities.
• Collaborate with the Safety Department on training, observations, accident investigations, and routine inspections.

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED required; Bachelor of Science in Business Management preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in Production and/or Manufacturing in a food environment, with at least 2 years leading a team.
• HACCP and GMP certifications preferred.

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to coach, present information, and respond to questions from management, staff, customers, and suppliers.
• Collaborative and proactive approach to working with internal teams.
• Strong mentoring and team development skills.
• Understanding of team dynamics and effective delegation.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including prioritization and execution of multiple initiatives.
• Ability to manage large, complex projects and shift priorities as needed.
• Customer service-oriented with prompt follow-up.
• Strong problem-solving skills, including information gathering and alternative solution development.
• Sound judgment and timely decision-making.
• Professionalism under pressure and follow-through on commitments.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy.
• Ability to understand and execute policies and procedures consistently.
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and scheduling software.
• Detailed knowledge of ERP and WMS systems.
• High-level understanding of financial reports.
• Ability to work with relational databases.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and use hands/fingers to operate a computer, keyboard, mouse, and telephone.
• Frequently required to reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to lift up to 20 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities include close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Primarily works in a manufacturing environment but may require travel.
• Periodic overnight travel for production launches, company events, staff meetings, training, and vendor fairs.
• May require use of a personal vehicle for business travel, including long periods of sitting.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance.
• Moderate noise level in the work environment.
• May require evening and weekend work depending on business needs.