Description

Position Title: Production Manager

Department: Production

Reports To: VP of Operations

POSITION SUMMARY

The Production Manager is responsible for leading day-to-day manufacturing operations across mixing and packaging to ensure products are produced safely, on schedule, and in full compliance with FDA, cGMP, and company standards. This role oversees the Compounding Supervisors and the Packaging Supervisors, and is directly responsible for building a high-performing production team by developing strong supervisors who can effectively lead their Leads and employees. The Production Manager works hands-on with Leads and production employees to maintain performance and continuity, as needed. The Production Manager partners closely with the VP of Operations, Quality, Sales, Product Development, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to meet customer commitments and continuously improve manufacturing performance.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS & DUTIES

Include but are not limited to:
• Lead and coordinate daily production operations across mixing and packaging to meet production schedules, yield targets, and customer deadlines.
• Ensure all production activities comply with FDA 21 CFR Part 111, cGMP, SOPs, and company safety standards.
• Directly manage the Compounding Supervisors and the Packaging Supervisors, providing clear direction, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Build a high-performing production team by actively developing supervisors' leadership, coaching, and problem-solving skills so they can effectively manage their Leads and employees.
• Work hands-on with Leads and production employees as needed, particularly while supervisors are being developed, to maintain performance, consistency, and continuity across shifts.
• Establish and reinforce performance standards, accountability, and a culture of continuous improvement throughout the production hierarchy.
• Make quick, informed decisions on production schedule changes, line reassignments, and staffing adjustments to resolve issues in real time.
• Monitor daily production metrics (output, downtime, scrap, labor efficiency) and drive corrective action when targets are missed.
• Partner with QA/QC to resolve deviations, non-conformances, and in-process quality issues without delay.
• Collaborate with Maintenance to prioritize equipment repairs and preventive maintenance that minimize production downtime.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain and Warehouse to ensure components, raw materials, and packaging supplies are available to support the production plan.
• Review and approve production and batch documentation for accuracy and completeness prior to release.
• Lead root-cause investigations for production issues and implement sustainable process improvements.
• Enforce PPE, hygiene, and safety compliance across all production areas, and lead incident investigations when needed.
• Support annual budgeting, capacity planning, and staffing decisions for the production department in partnership with the VP of Operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This role directly supervises the Compounding Supervisors and the Packaging Supervisors, who in turn oversee the Leads and production employees within their respective areas. The Production Manager is responsible for developing these supervisors into strong people leaders and, until they are fully trained, works directly with Leads and employees to ensure day-to-day performance, coaching, and accountability across the production team.

INTERIM OVERSIGHT

In the absence of the Production Manager, the VP of Operations will assume responsibility for overseeing the duties and tasks associated with this role.

EMPLOYEE AND MANAGER CGMP RESPONSIBILITIES

Employee Responsibilities
• Adhere to cGMPs and SOPs.
• Report any situations that might harm food safety or quality immediately to the supervisor or QA Department.
• Ensure food safety and quality are maintained according to company standards.
• Comply with policies and procedures to prepare and pack products under sanitary conditions that do not expose it to the risk of contamination.
• Operate and maintain a clean and hygienic standard of operation. Always follow Company cGMPs (Current Good Manufacturing Practices and Food Safety Policies).

Supervisor Responsibilities
• Maintain a Food Safety Culture by regularly assessing the team's performance and understanding of food safety practices.
• Initiate decisions on corrective action that support resolution and improved policies and procedures.
• Communicate to employees any opportunity to improve team performance to achieve greater levels of product safety and quality.
• Comply with policies and procedures to prepare and pack the product under sanitary conditions that do not expose it to the risk of contamination.
• Encourage and maintain a strong food safety culture by ensuring employees are knowledgeable of food safety policies and procedures, as well as empowered to report events that could impact the food safety of the product.

Food Allergen Notice: This facility may contain the following allergens: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame.

Requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE
• Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience considered.
• 5+ years of progressive production or manufacturing leadership experience, ideally within dietary supplement, nutraceutical, food, or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Strong working knowledge of FDA 21 CFR Part 111 and cGMP manufacturing practices.
• Proven ability to lead multiple teams and lines simultaneously, make fast, sound decisions under pressure, and adapt quickly to shifting production priorities.
• Demonstrated success developing supervisors and frontline leaders into strong people managers, with a genuine passion for coaching and building high-performing teams.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills, with a track record of driving measurable improvements in output and quality.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office for production planning, reporting, and data analysis.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
• Standing/Walking: Must be able to walk the production floor continuously throughout the shift (8-10 hours), moving frequently between mixing, packaging, and warehouse areas.
• Lifting/Carrying: Occasionally required to lift and carry components, samples, or materials up to 35 lbs; heavier items handled with mechanical or team assistance.
• Bending/Stooping/Reaching: Regularly required to bend, reach, and move quickly around production lines and equipment to observe operations and address issues.
• Repetitive Motion: Frequent use of hands for documentation review, computer work, and handheld devices while walking the floor.
• Manual Dexterity: Sufficient dexterity to operate a computer, tablet, and standard office/production equipment.
• Visual/Hearing: Must be able to read fine print on batch records and labels, and communicate clearly over production floor noise.
• Mobility: Must be able to move quickly between departments and respond promptly to production issues as they arise.
• PPE Compliance: Must wear required PPE, including safety glasses, gloves, smocks, and hairnets, when present on the production floor.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
• Primarily a production floor and office environment, with regular movement between mixing, packaging, and warehouse areas that may involve noise, powders, and temperature variation.
• Fast-paced, deadline-driven environment requiring quick decision-making and the ability to shift priorities on short notice.
• Frequent collaboration with Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and the VP of Operations.
• May require occasional extended hours, weekend work, or off-shift availability to address urgent production issues.