Senior Production Manager

About the Role

Oversees and directs operations of production areas to ensure that volume, cost, waste, and quality standards are achieved. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to develop overall production schedules, materials, and resource requirements to meet production goals. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility and may contribute to budget development. Resolves escalated operational issues requiring coordination with other departments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the factory production and production support teams for daily execution of the production plan to maximize output and minimize cost.
• Ensure the factory maintains supply to produce inventory at the right quality and lowest cost to meet customer and sales needs.
• Provide robust management and people leadership across the factory, including direct and indirect reports.
• Ensure quality stewardship of products, assets, and their quality attributes for efficient delivery and customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate with Commercial and Technical/R&D functions to ensure product quality and service.
• Assist Plant Manager in effective supply management evaluation and business inputs on staffing, cost, capacity, assets, and supply chain execution.
• Lead Operations employees through coaching, mentoring, and training to meet manufacturing deliverables.
• Implement engaging morale-building programs and robust communications about business and site performance.
• Provide direct leadership for the factory operating system, safety, production scheduling, materials ordering, inventory management, shipping/receiving, and business systems.
• Support QA/QC audits/inspections, finance cost controls, HR, business planning, and local IT.
• Identify and evaluate financial, labor, and efficiency opportunities to drive cost reductions and improve the factory P&L.
• Drive timelines for efficiency improvement, manage site projects, and establish best practices for continuous improvement (CI).
• Maintain factory staffing within cost/financial targets and track produced goods metrics (waste, NQC, inventory, operational costs).
• Maintain factory KPIs and cost roadmaps, including routine metric dashboards.
• Improve MES information systems to drive executional performance.
• Support local factory technical support managers/engineers to meet production goals and ensure asset maintenance.
• Steward all site assets (infrastructure and equipment) and maintain site safety, product controls, and traffic systems.
• Maintain daily factory operating systems, shift turnover meetings, stand-up meetings, and relevant communications.
• Deliver factory cost per tonne, NQC waste, and productivity objectives as part of the operating design.
• Ensure inventory controls for raw materials and finished goods to support supply chain objectives.
• Incorporate Lean/CI processes in support of Value Streams.
• Mentor, coach, and develop direct reports.
• Manage introductory execution of new business, supporting Site IE and Tech Services using techniques like CVS, line/trial runs, and handover sequences.
• Assist Commercial, Procurement, and Technical Services in analyzing and progressing new ideas for supply chain feasibility.
• Maintain relationships and timely communication with Commercial & Tech Services to support production, scheduling, and maintenance.
• Develop and coach Value Stream Managers, support functions, and employees as needed.
• Provide input related to operations functional competency development plans.
• Foster a winning environment focusing on high engagement, team morale, and incentive schemes.
• Collaborate with production and supporting departments to ensure food safety and quality of products.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or Business Management.
• Master’s in Supply Chain Management, Business, Industrial, or other Engineering discipline preferred. MBA or advanced Supply Chain/International Business also preferred.
• 5-7 years of experience in Operation Management.
• 2-3 years of experience in Engineering or Technical Manager roles.
• 2-3 years of experience in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, or Activity Management.

Skills

• Capacity Planning
• Data Analysis
• Maintenance Planning
• Manufacturing Management
• Materials Requirement Planning
• Production Planning
• Production Scheduling
• Resource Planning
• Safety Policies and Procedures
• Troubleshooting
• Performance Metrics
• Staff Coaching and Training
• ERP Systems
• Manufacturing Lean Principles
• Business Acumen
• Planning/Project Management
• Strong Communication Skills
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Detail Oriented
• Problem Solving
• Results and Goal Driven
• Analytical
• Initiative
• Integrity
• Operational Excellence

Physical Requirements

Requires prolonged sitting and continuous use of a computer. May lift, carry, push, or pull objects up to 10 lbs.