Production Manager

Location: Kentucky • Industry: Food Manufacturing • Company Size: Mid-Sized Manufacturer

About the Opportunity

Our client, a growing mid-sized food manufacturing company, is seeking an experienced Production Manager / Production Supervisor to lead day-to-day manufacturing operations within a fast-paced production environment. This individual will be responsible for driving safety, quality, productivity, and employee engagement while ensuring production goals are achieved efficiently and consistently.The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in food manufacturing and a proven track record of leading production teams in a high-volume manufacturing setting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily production operations to ensure safety, quality, and productivity targets are achieved.
• Lead, coach, and develop production employees and frontline supervisors.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, GMP, HACCP, sanitation, and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor production schedules and coordinate resources to meet customer demand and delivery expectations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, waste reduction, labor utilization, and operational excellence.
• Analyze production metrics and implement corrective actions to improve performance.
• Partner closely with Quality, Maintenance, Warehouse, and Supply Chain teams to maximize plant performance.
• Manage staffing levels, employee training, performance management, and succession planning activities.
• Foster a strong culture of accountability, teamwork, and employee engagement.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies, safety regulations, and food manufacturing standards.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of progressive leadership experience within a food manufacturing environment.
• Experience as a Production Supervisor, Manufacturing Supervisor, Production Manager, Operations Supervisor, or similar leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards, GMPs, HACCP, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to lead and develop hourly and salaried manufacturing employees.
• Experience utilizing KPIs and production metrics to drive operational improvements.
• Preferred: Bachelor's degree in Operations, Engineering, Business, Food Science, or a related field.
• Preferred: Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement experience.

Skills

• Hands-on leader who enjoys being on the production floor.
• Strong coach and team builder with the ability to motivate employees at all levels.
• Results-oriented professional who thrives in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
• Continuous improvement mindset with a passion for operational excellence.