Production Manager

PPC Production Manager

Job Summary

The Produce Packing Center (PPC) Production Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the Produce Packing Center and ensuring that produce is packed, processed, and shipped safely, accurately, efficiently, and on time.

This position is responsible for production planning, labor management, inventory control, quality and food safety compliance, process improvement, and team development. The Production Manager will work closely with Merchandising, Store Operations, Logistics, Receiving, and Quality Control teams to ensure production requirements are aligned with store demand and business needs.

The ideal candidate has experience in production, food packing, warehouse, or fresh produce operations and demonstrates strong leadership, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Produce Packing Center, including production planning, staffing, scheduling, inventory management, packing, and shipping activities.
• Develop daily and weekly production plans based on store demand, sales trends, inventory levels, raw material availability, production capacity, and delivery schedules.
• Ensure production is completed accurately and on time to support store delivery requirements and minimize shortages, delays, and overproduction.
• Collaborate with Merchandising Managers to ensure adequate availability, quality, cost effectiveness, and timely delivery of raw materials needed to support production requirements.
• Monitor raw material, packaging material, work-in-process, and finished goods inventory to maintain appropriate inventory levels and minimize shortages, excess inventory, shrink, and waste.
• Ensure all products are packed according to established specifications, quality standards, labeling requirements, and food safety requirements.
• Monitor production output, labor productivity, production yield, shrink, waste, quality issues, and other operational KPIs.
• Identify production inefficiencies, bottlenecks, quality issues, and process gaps and implement corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Optimize labor utilization and production scheduling to improve productivity while maintaining quality, safety, and service levels.
• Develop, implement, maintain, and continuously improve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for production, packing, inventory control, sanitation, quality, and safety.
• Manage and develop packing center employees, including hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, coaching, performance management, attendance management, and team development.
• Establish clear performance expectations and ensure team members follow company policies, operating procedures, safety requirements, and quality standards.
• Promote a safe and healthy work environment by enforcing safety procedures, conducting regular safety training, identifying workplace hazards, and encouraging a strong culture of safety awareness.
• Ensure compliance with company food safety, sanitation, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), quality standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with Quality Control to identify and resolve product quality, packaging, food safety, and supplier-related issues.
• Work closely with Store Operations to understand store demand, product availability issues, service-level concerns, and changing operational requirements.
• Coordinate with Logistics, Receiving, and warehouse teams to ensure raw materials are received on time and finished products are staged and shipped according to delivery schedules.
• Communicate production risks, material shortages, quality concerns, labor constraints, and other operational issues to management and relevant departments in a timely manner.
• Analyze production and operational data and provide regular performance reports to management.
• Maintain accurate production, inventory, labor, quality, and operational records.
• Support new product launches, seasonal programs, promotional activities, and other operational projects as needed.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned based on business and operational needs.

Key Performance Indicators:

The Production Manager may be responsible for monitoring and improving key performance indicators including:

• Production output.
• On-time production completion.
• Order fill rate.
• Labor productivity.
• Production yield.
• Shrink and waste.
• Inventory accuracy.
• Quality rejection rate.
• Production accuracy.
• Safety performance.
• Overtime and labor utilization.
• Store service level.

Qualifications:

• Associate's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Food Production, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in production, food manufacturing, produce packing, warehouse operations, distribution, or a related environment preferred.
• Previous supervisory or management experience strongly preferred.
• Experience in fresh produce, food production, food packing, grocery distribution, or perishable products is highly preferred.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage, coach, motivate, and develop employees.
• Strong understanding of production planning, labor management, inventory control, and operational processes.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, product quality, packaging standards, and workplace safety requirements.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to analyze operational data, identify trends, and implement process improvements.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across multiple departments.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and make decisions in a fast-paced production environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, and the ability to learn and use relevant production, inventory, reporting, and ERP systems.
• Authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• Must be able to read, understand, and communicate effectively in English.
• Bilingual English/Mandarin or English/Spanish is preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds as required.
• Ability to perform repetitive motions and work around production and warehouse equipment.
• Ability to work in refrigerated or temperature-controlled environments.

Working Conditions

This position is primarily performed in a production, warehouse, and fresh food packing environment.

The employee may be exposed to cold temperatures, noise, wet floors, moving equipment, and other environmental conditions commonly associated with food production and warehouse operations.

The Production Manager must be able to work a flexible schedule based on operational requirements, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and night shifts when necessary.

Work Schedule

This position is scheduled for six days per week. The Production Manager must have flexibility to work weekends, holidays, early mornings, evenings, and night shifts based on production volume and operational needs.

Position Details:

• Employment Type: Full Time.
• Location: 6338 Regio Ave, Buena Park, CA 90620.
• Available to work on weekends and holidays as necessary.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance.
• 401 (k) Retirement Saving Plan with 4% Company Match.
• Long-Term Services Award.
• Employee Discount.
• Paid Time Off.

Compensation:

The pay range for this job is 80k - 90k.This is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) the responsibilities of the job, your education, skills, qualifications, experience, and location.