Production Manager - Work Center Lead

 Pay Range: $103,000/yr. – $130,000/yr. based on experience and qualifications

The Production Manager will ensure the production of high-quality products at a production rate that meets or exceeds current levels by maintaining high quality standards, low reject rate for product produced and low materials waste.  The incumbent will communicate and implement Company guidelines, procedures and policies in their areas.  This manager will create and maintain a safe and fair work environment for all production team members. 

Please note this role will be on our 1st Shift shift - 5:00am - 2:00pm

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage the day-to-day operation including workflow, adherence to plan, management of work in process, job assignments rotations and delegation of duties to ensure safe and efficient operation.
• Ensure effective use of labor, tools, supplies, and equipment to maximize efficiency and capacity.
• Mentor and motivate team members, providing training and development to optimize their performance and personal growth.
• Minimize downtime, scrap and improve product yield.
• Ensure every pound produced is the highest quality possible.
• Accountable for team’s adherence to manufacturing protocols, product specifications, quality guidelines and food safety standards.
• Ensure all operational records and KPI’s are complete and accurate.
• Accept responsibility to quickly identify any areas that lack cohesiveness, bringing them to the attention of the team leader and working with the team in a supportive manner to resolve issues and actively look for ways, and reinforce actions needed, to achieve collaboration within the organization.
• Support positive employee engagement including valuing differences, fostering collaboration, listening to the ideas of every team member, and being a champion of company policies and procedures which support these goals.  Treat everyone with respect and be a role model for professional behavior with all team members.
• Communicate performance standards to team members, recognizing and rewarding individual and team accomplishments and counseling/disciplining performance problems.
• Work cross-functionally with maintenance and engineering to optimize equipment performance.
• Write work orders for equipment/plant repairs.
• Communicate production issues with regard to equipment performance, product quality, food safety and personnel safety in a timely manner.
• Serve as a role model and initiate proactive actions to ensure team’s understanding of and compliance with all company policies and regulatory, SQF and customer requirements including USDA, OSHA, DEP etc.
• Monitor team member compliance with GMP, food safety standards, HACCP, CCPs and CQPs.
• Perform investigations and completes a preliminary written report within 12 hours of an incident.  Submits this to report to the EHS department for follow up and final reporting (e.g. accidents, employee complaints, root cause analysis to product and process non-conformities etc.)
• Foster a culture of excellence with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• High School diploma with equivalent experience required; bachelor’s degree in food science, Microbiology, other science-related field preferred.
• Five years' experience in Operations/ processing as a Lead with verifiable leadership experience required.
• Proficient in using computer systems and software, including Microsoft Office, to generate reports, analyze data, and communicate effectively.
• Experience in inventory management and be able to maintain accurate records of stock levels and coordinate with suppliers when necessary.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and ensure that all work center activities comply with industry standards and guidelines (HACCP/USDA/GFSI/SQF).
• Working knowledge of USDA and/ or FDA regulations required. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• English required. Bilingual in Spanish or Portuguese preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENT:

• Availability to work weekends and overtime as necessary..
• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced work environment where a broad range of tasks may be required
• Must be able to learn new tasks, remember processes, maintain focus, complete tasks independently, and tasks in situations that have a speed or productivity quota. 
• Exposure to approx. 85 decibel sound while on plant floor (appropriate ear protection will be provided 
• Our production floor consists of cold/hot/wet environments (temperatures varying from -40°F (Freezers) to 110°F Sanitation Environment 
• This position requires the ability to withstand working in a cold environment and stand for extended periods of time. 
• Company provided Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) must be worn while on the production floor