Production Manager

This role will lead a team of talented supervisors dedicated to making the best popcorn on the market while driving operational excellence and continuous improvement. The Production Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, performance, and operational excellence of the American Pop Corn Company's manufacturing facilities. This role provides strategic and hands-on leadership across Production, Maintenance, Sanitation, & Mixing, while working closely with Quality to ensure safe operations, high product quality, regulatory compliance, and efficient execution of the daily and long-term objectives

Essential Responsibilities:

• Provide plant leadership and direction for plant operations
• Establish clear expectations, priorities, and performance standards across all plant departments
• Build, coach, and develop department leaders (Production, Maintenance, Sanitation, Mixing)
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork and continuous improvement
• Serve as the primary escalation point for plant-level issues and decision-making in conjunction with the SVP of Production
• Oversee all production activities to ensure efficient, safe, and cost-effective manufacturing operations
• Ensure production schedules are met while maintaining quality and minimizing waste, downtime, and inefficiencies
• Support & lead initiatives to improve line performance, staffing models, and workflow efficiency
• Collaborate with Facilities leadership to plan capital improvements & equipment upgrades
• Review Maintenance KPIs, downtime trends, and help perform root cause analysis
• Provide operational leadership and direction to the Mixing Supervisor & Team to ensure accurate, safe, and efficient batch preparation in accordance with formulas, specifications, and production schedules
• Partner with Mixing Supervisor and Lead to plan staffing, sequencing, and workflow to support production demand and minimize downtime or changeover loss
• Monitor mixing performance metrics (batch accuracy, yield, delays) and drive corrective actions and process improvements where needed
• Ensure effective sanitation programs that support food safety, product integrity, and regulatory compliance
• Ensure compliance with environmental, waste management, and chemical handling requirements
• Champion workplace safety, lead by example
• Drive proactive hazard identification and risk reduction
• Support department budgeting efforts
• Analyze financial and operational data to identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements
• Support forecasting, capacity planning, and capital expenditure planning
• Ensure plant performance meets or exceeds productivity and cost targets
• Support & lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies
• Drive standardization of best practices across shifts and departments
• Lead change initiatives with clear communication and employee engagement
• Ensure supervisors and managers conduct regular coaching, feedback, and performance discussions
• Support hiring, onboarding, training, and succession planning for plant roles
• Promote engagement, accountability, and a positive work environment
• Partner with Human Resources to address employee relations
• Serve as the primary plant contact for corporate, leadership, and cross-functional partners
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, HR, Finance, Sales, & Operations as needed
• Support & lead plant meetings and ensure alignment across departments and shifts
• And all other duties as assigned by supervisor

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. A Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, or related field preferred. A minimum of 7 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience is required. Proven experience overseeing multiple operational functions. Food manufacturing or regulated manufacturing experience strongly preferred.

Skills and Competencies:

Must have a strong understanding of manufacturing operations and industrial safety. Ability to analyze operational and financial data to drive decisions. Experience with continuous improvement methodologies preferred. ERP/MRP systems and operational reporting tool skills are a plus. Must be a strategic thinker with strong execution capability. This role will provide strong leadership to employees, fostering a positive and high-performing culture. Must possess the ability to set clear expectations while helping guide department heads. Ability to identify areas for growth and improvement. Must work to identify and minimize risks that could impact the company while ensuring compliance. This role provides oversight and/or guidance to many areas of the company, including production, quality control, safety, and facilities. Help ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements while upholding high standards and ethical conduct throughout the organization. Must have excellent communication skills to engage with all levels of employees at all locations while encouraging collaboration across departments. Help lead the company through challenging situations while providing decisive and encouraging leadership to navigate through the uncertainty and minimize any negative impact. Evaluate the performance of department heads while providing feedback and support. The ability to lead organizational change initiatives is needed for long-term success.

Work Environment:

The work environment is at a manufacturing facility. The environment is often dynamic and collaborative, with collaboration being essential. Employees will contribute to overall production goals, with office employees supporting the efficiency and effectiveness of the manufacturing processes. Working hours outside of standard office hours may be required.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment is both an office setting at a manufacturing facility and in the manufacturing facility itself. The environment is often dynamic and collaborative, with collaboration being essential in this role.. The manufacturing facility involves hands-on tasks, machinery operation, and adherence to GMPs. This setting requires attention to detail, adherence to protocols, and the ability to adapt to the demands of the production schedule.

What about benefits at JOLLY TIME / American Pop Corn Company?
American Pop Corn Company offers an outstanding benefits package, including:

- FREE family health and dental insurance
- 401(k) with a 4% company match
- 6 paid holidays
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Annual Bonus Opportunity
- Referral Program
- And more!!