PRODUCTION MANAGER

Job Summary

The Production Manager leads a production department to execute with excellence, maximize efficiency, and minimize loss while developing the operating team. This leadership role is accountable for department results across safety, quality, food safety, budget, cost, productivity, and employee engagement, in support of plant and business objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Production Leadership and Results

• Lead department performance in accordance with business objectives for manufacturing efficiency, safety, quality, food safety, budgets, cost, productivity, and employee satisfaction.
• Develop budgets and manage line and labor efficiencies and key performance indicators in support of plant and business strategic objectives.
• Plan work, communicate department plans and strategies, track results, and resolve performance variances.
• Respond to company and customer needs with quality, timeliness, and service.
• Maintain high standards for safety, quality, and food safety throughout the production organization.

Team Development and Staffing

• Motivate, direct, coach, and develop a diverse, high-performing, engaged team to meet established goals and build organizational capability.
• Develop the workforce through supervision, coaching, and training; create a culture of accountability and performance.
• Manage a production department with up to 120 direct reports across three shifts and provide direction to supervisors, leads, and other team members.
• Support staffing requests and department staffing levels, and participate in interviewing and selection of prospective employees.
• Conduct scheduled department and safety meetings and ensure plans and strategies are effectively communicated throughout the department.

Continuous Improvement and Collaboration

• Drive continuous improvement in all aspects of department operations, aligned with plant culture and priorities.
• Collaborate with EHS, Maintenance, Quality, Human Resources, and other departments; participate in project work and initiatives as assigned.
• Model and support Kettle Cuisine’s Core Values and safety culture; drive a focus on quality and continuous improvement.

Schedule and Work Environment

• Provide leadership support across different shifts and weekends; weekend or overtime work may be required.
• Work in a manufacturing setting with some exposure to heat, cold, dust, and other minor inconveniences and hazards; occasional lifting of objects up to 25 pounds may be required.
• Less than 10% travel to other sites may be required.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong technical skills and familiarity with manufacturing systems and their operation.
• Experience working within a Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) culture.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software and ERP applications.
• Strong organization and attention to detail; ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced, sometimes ambiguous environment.
• Ability to develop strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and address difficult situations directly, with patience and respect.

Experience, Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Five to ten years of production and manufacturing experience.
• Experience managing production across multiple shifts.
• Experience with budgets and financial reporting preferred.
• Knowledge of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and general food safety standards preferred.