Production Manager

About the role

The Production Manager oversees production standards and efficiencies, supervising the production team and managing the 2nd shift Production Supervisor. Key responsibilities include ensuring product compliance, executing production schedules, directing team members, maintaining cleanliness, controlling waste, and driving continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the production line to ensure products comply with R&D, QA/QC Department specifications and adhere to GMP, sanitation, and food safety procedures.
• Complete daily production schedules and ensure timely execution aligned with customer requirements.
• Provide direction and leadership to the Second Shift Production Supervisor, ensuring consistent execution of production plans.
• Manage frequent product changeovers, ensuring efficiency and minimizing downtime.
• Keep work areas, machines, and equipment clean and organized.
• Control waste and scrap by monitoring product quality and the rework process during production and product assembly to drive labor efficiencies and lower raw material costs.
• Comply with OSHA standards, identify risks, ensure safe operation of production equipment, and promote an injury-free environment.
• Lead, train, and supervise production associates, line leads, and assistant supervisors.
• Communicate shift performance, issues, and priorities effectively during shift handoffs and meetings.
• Maintain line performance and address downtime, inefficiencies, and bottlenecks.
• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure accurate documentation for traceability and recall readiness.
• Communicate product specifications, render, cycles, pallet configurations, etc.
• Communicate with planning team to ensure proper production orders are entered.
• Work with warehouse Shift Lead to receive needed materials and ensure availability of raw materials and packaging components.
• Work directly with staffing agency to hire seasonal staffing.
• Drive improvements in changeover times, line speeds, and labor utilization.

Requirements

• 3-5+ years of experience in food manufacturing of food co-packaging.
• 1-3+ years of supervisor or leadership experience.
• Bi-lingual English/Spanish (highly preferred).
• Knowledge of production lines and machinery.
• Knowledge of stock management and production models.
• Knowledge of planning techniques.
• Knowledge and application of production performance analysis methods.
• Knowledge and application of Food Safety, Quality and Sanitation/Hygiene policies and procedures.
• Strong communications skills in a multi-cultural environment.
• Demonstrated ability to direct production employees in a proactive and positive manner.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and leadership skills.
• Ability to troubleshoot technological problems.
• Demonstrated team-building skills.
• Knowledge of production scheduling.
• Able to work with minimal supervision in a rotating shift environment.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office tools: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., food science, engineering, business administration).
• Experience: 3-5+ years of experience in food manufacturing of food co-packaging.
• Leadership: 1-3+ years of supervisor or leadership experience.
• Languages: Bi-lingual English/Spanish (highly preferred).
• Technical Skills: Knowledge of production lines and machinery, stock management, production models, planning techniques, production performance analysis methods, Food Safety, Quality, and Sanitation/Hygiene policies and procedures.
• Soft Skills: Strong communication skills in a multi-cultural environment, ability to direct production employees in a proactive and positive manner, problem-solving and leadership skills, ability to troubleshoot technological problems, demonstrated team-building skills, knowledge of production scheduling, ability to work with minimal supervision in a rotating shift environment, proficiency with Microsoft Office tools.

Skills

• Leadership and Supervisory Skills
• Problem Solving and Decision Making
• Team Building and Collaboration
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Technical Proficiency (production lines, machinery, stock management, production models, planning techniques, production performance analysis methods)
• Food Safety and Quality Assurance
• Time Management and Organizational Skills
• Adaptability and Flexibility

Benefits

Careers with caring built in - discover our benefits here.

Pay

The base salary range for this position is $105,117 - $140,156 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors permitted by law. This range represents the anticipated salary for this position at this time.

Schedule

This role works out of our Somerset, NJ location and reports to the Production Operations Manager. It involves working in a fast-paced, co-pack facility and requires flexibility to cover shifts.