Production Manager

About the role

This position is responsible for ensuring that manufacturing processes run safely, reliably, and efficiently. The individual collaborates with cross-functional groups including Human Resources, Quality, Supply Chain, Warehousing, and Finance to meet production targets.

Responsibilities

• Manages production employees to ensure safety, quality, and productivity; motivates and supports current staff.
• Conducts new hire onboarding, training, and performance evaluations as needed; ensures retention KPIs are met.
• Plans and organizes employee schedules to align with demand requirements.
• Achieves budgeted targets for raw material yield, labor, and packaging materials usage across all shifts.
• Schedules and conducts production meetings with direct reports; meets or exceeds schedule attainment and adherence KPIs.
• Audits workstations to ensure SOPs are readily available and followed; initiates creation of SOPs and instructional tools as needed.
• Collaborates with warehouse and quality assurance personnel to ensure prompt shipment of product; meets or exceeds OTIF KPIs.
• Maintains GMP and housekeeping standards within the department through team involvement.
• Adheres to company GMPs, food safety procedures, and all other quality processes; maintains an audit-ready shop floor.
• Develops and recommends improvements to facilities, equipment, or procedures to enhance safety, quality, and efficiency.
• Drives productivity, quality, and safety initiatives to impact productivity and cost structure.
• Establishes and supports a work environment of continuous improvement aligned with SunOpta’s Quality policy, Quality System, and regulations.
• Ensures production follows SunOpta QA standards, SOPs, HACCP, and GMPs; guarantees products meet food safety and quality requirements.
• Collaborates with cross-functional groups (HR, Maintenance, Quality Assurance, Warehousing, Finance) to meet production targets.
• Communicates and executes the production schedule; manages labor and material resources to maximize efficiency and yields.
• Protects company assets by intervening in conditions that may result in equipment or building abuse.
• Works with management to ensure effective organizational design, with roles correctly organized, defined, documented, and communicated.
• Responsible for Food Safety; reports non-compliance issues to immediate supervisor and Quality leadership.
• Certified member of the Health & Safety Committee; wears PPE when required.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of all Production Supervisors and indirectly for all hourly production personnel.

Requirements

• Certificate and/or bachelor’s degree in related fields of study preferred.
• Minimum of five consecutive years of related work experience required.
• Strong working knowledge of systems, including instrumentation and automation experience.
• Proficiency in MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing practices.
• Experience with Oracle or similar ERP systems.

Skills

• Outstanding verbal, written, multi-tasking, and presentation skills.
• Ability to create momentum and foster organizational change.
• Strong technical and project management skills.
• Leadership, people, and teamwork skills.
• Confident, organized, and efficient.
• Ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and make decisions.

Additional Considerations

• Position located at the SunOpta Plant in Omak, WA.
• Plant operates 24/7 with 3 shifts; non-conventional work week including occasional off-shift work to support all teams.
• Relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid Family leave
• Paid maternity leave
• 401(k) with Match
• Voluntary Life, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital indemnity insurance
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition assistance
• Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance