Production Manager

About the Role

The Production Manager leads a production department to execute with excellence for maximum efficiency and minimum loss while developing the operating teams. This leadership position is accountable for results across all metrics for their department.

Responsibilities

• Motivate, direct, coach, and develop a diverse, high-performing, and engaged team to meet established goals and build organizational capability.
• Ensure high standards for safety, quality, and food safety across the production organization.
• Develop budgets and manage line and labor efficiencies, key performance indicators in support of greater plant and business strategic objectives.
• Respond to company and customer needs with quality, timeliness, and customer service.
• Drive Continuous Improvement (CI) in all aspects of the shift operation and in alignment with plant culture.
• Conduct scheduled meetings (department, safety).
• Develop workforce through supervision, coaching, and training.
• Ensure all plans and strategies are effectively communicated throughout the department.
• Assist in the selection of prospective new hire employees.
• Collaborate with other departments (e.g., EHS, Maintenance, Quality, Human Resources, etc.).
• Work closely with procurement/demand planning and sales to monitor and regulate the receipt of raw material and shipment of finished goods to customers.
• Participate in project work and initiatives as assigned, including the ramp-up of production levels with growing demand from the customer.

Requirements

• Minimum 5-10 years of production and manufacturing experience.
• Experience managing multiple shift production.
• Experience with TPM culture required.
• Strong technical skills; familiarity with manufacturing systems and theory of operation.
• Proficient in all MS Software and ERP applications.
• Comfortable moving at a fast pace and in ambiguous environments.

Desired Skills

• Positive and motivated by contributing to the overall success of the team.
• Experience with budgets and financial reporting.
• Able to develop strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and general food safety standards is preferred.
• Obsessive attention to detail, well-organized, and able to juggle many projects at once.
• Willing to address difficult situations head-on with patience and respect.

Leadership Expectations

• Model and support Kettle’s Core Values and safety culture.
• Create a culture of accountability and performance.
• Drive a focus on quality and continuous improvement.
• Plan work, track results, and resolve variances.

Level of Responsibility

• Manages a department across 3 shifts.
• Recommends actions and directions to supervisors, leads, and others.
• May have minor contact with outside vendors or contacts.
• Decisions or actions may impact other departments and/or external relationships.
• Responsible for staffing requests, interviewing, promotion/demotion, and staffing levels of the department.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• Work requires occasional physical exertion, including lifting objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Moderate concentration required to execute moderately complex tasks; occasional visual effort for periods of time.
• Works in a manufacturing setting with exposure to heat, cold, dust, or other minor inconveniences.
• Some exposure to hazards that might cause minor injury.
• Less than 10% travel required (to other sites via airplane).
• Must have availability and flexibility to work different shifts and weekends to provide direct leadership support to employees.