Production Manager - Food Manufacturing

About the Role

The Production Manager is responsible for building and leading an effective team and executing manufacturing strategy and daily management systems. This role leads a team of two supervisors, line leads, and floor partners focused on production lines within the business unit, owning 24-hour operational performance. Responsibilities include partner training, development, skills requirements, and standard work development. The Production Manager collaborates closely with internal functions such as HR, Finance, Planning, Maintenance, Engineering, R&D, and Quality.

Responsibilities

• Lead Safety, Quality, and Food Safety as a role model for the department.
• Develop, train, and engage team members to foster growth and performance.
• Oversee day-to-day production activities and set priorities across a 24-hour period to meet commitments and drive improvements.
• Champion Bridgetown Performance System initiatives and systematically identify, prioritize, and reduce losses through data-based root cause analysis.
• Serve as a role model for cross-functional partnership and collaboration, driving waste reduction in manufacturing.
• Embody and promote the organization’s mission and values.
• Spend 50% of time on the production floor using an active leadership style.
• Track and report daily performance across all shifts using a daily management system.
• Leverage technology to improve operational results.
• Partner with subject matter experts to implement changes in production capability, tooling, machine replacement, and staffing.
• Foster open communication to engage the team and improve employee morale.
• Collaborate with HR on hiring, training, performance appraisals, promotions, and disciplinary actions for manufacturing operations employees.
• Support new process and product development.
• Ensure a clean, safe working environment and maintain GMP standards, emphasizing prevention of hazardous conditions.
• Promote safety awareness and address unsafe acts or conditions.
• Manage team objectives, performance reviews, training needs, and development plans.
• Enforce food safety policies and report issues, with a focus on cleaning standards and execution.

Requirements

• 5-8 years of relevant food manufacturing experience, including direct supervisory experience; bakery experience preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Strong ability to engage and develop employees and future leaders.
• Proven ability to build effective production teams.
• Ability to communicate and understand work instructions in English.
• Strong conflict resolution skills and ability to work with all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency in Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Working Conditions

• Positions require standing (85-90% of shift, sometimes up to 12 hours), repetitive movement, bending, and twisting.
• Exposure to sustained noise levels, food allergens (e.g., gluten, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, milk), and very hot temperatures.
• Exposure to hazards such as machinery, slippery floors, ladders, and powered industrial vehicles.
• May require wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Must be able to ascend and descend stairways, ladders, and ramps.
• Availability for all shifts (24/7 production), including weekends and holidays.
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule as needed.