The Production Manager will oversee both hourly and salaried team members, manage production performance through key operational metrics, and partner cross-functionally with all Leadership teams to optimize productivity, improve equipment effectiveness, and support continuous improvement initiatives. This position plays a critical role in maintaining food safety, regulatory compliance, employee engagement, and overall operational success.
Employee Type:Full time
Location:KY Buckner
Job Type:Production Operations
Job Posting Title:Production Manager
Job Description:Schedule: 1st shiftMonday- Friday with flexibility as needed to meet plant needs including night and weekend hours
Work Location: 1 Quality Place, Buckner, KY 40010
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with match, STD/LTD/AD&D/Life, HSA, FSA, EAP, Hospital indemnity, Accident Insurance, Identity and Fraud Protection Plan, Legal, and Critical Illness.
Salary, based on experience and other qualifications: $93k -$138k annually with additional bonus potential
Duties & Responsibilities- Establish leadership and set the strategic direction for the manufacturing team. Ensures necessary plans area in place to deliver the required business results while developing a culture of ownership and accountability.
- Manages team of both hourly and exempt employees
- Interpret safety policies/practices to employees including enforcing safe work practices.
- Manage a staff of direct reports through regular performance reviews and developmental activities to ensure movement toward a high performance / high engagement organization, while assuring effective departmental performance.
- Utilize available data (line speed target, set-up guidelines, and efficiency and process data) to continuously improve productivity, uptime and reliability. Utilize the above information as a tool to improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and product cost.
- Set clear priorities and align resources to deliver against business and regulatory requirements in the areas of cost, financial controls, and quality, safety and business initiatives.
- Manage product quality by understanding and communicating customer needs to employees and ensuring expectations are consistently met and according to standard work.
- Determine schedules, sequences and assignments for work activities based on work priority, quantity of equipment and skill of personnel.
- Diagnose equipment, ingredients and packaging issues. Coordinate with Engineering, Maintenance or others as appropriate to solve production-related problems.
- Ensure each manufacturing area is maintained in accordance with SQF standards.
- Ensure security of employees, facilities and information systems by following and enforcing established security procedures.
- Ensure clear and concise communication to all levels in the organization.
- Ensure regular safety inspections are conducted in all manufacturing areas.
- Must be able to drive improvements in manufacturing processes. Must be able to put new systems and procedures in place while instilling accountability and ownership in a rapidly changing environment.
- Supports Continuous Improvement projects through the practice of Root Cause Analysis, and other management operating systems, etc.
- Perform other duties as assigned. This position can involve weekend and on call duties.
- In the absence of the Plant Manager, the Production Manager may assume the responsibilities of that role.
Knowledge, Training and Experience:- 5+ years of manufacturing experience, with a minimum three years of experience in a management capacity OR equivalent combination of education and experience, Bachelor's degree preferred.
- Food manufacturing experience is strongly preferred.
- Effective listener and team player.
- Strong knowledge of food manufacturing, FDA/USDA, OSHA and EPA regulations desired.
- Able to work effectively with others, have good interpersonal and leadership skills.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Highly organized, critical thinker able to multi-task.
- Able to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong computer skills including experience with SAP and Microsoft Office.
- Continuous improvement and lean manufacturing mindset with the ability to lead and support multiple projects strongly preferred.
Physical Demands:- Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Must be able to perform the following: standing, climbing, pulling, and or pushing, carrying, grasping, reaching, twisting, turning and stooping.
- Ability to walk and/or stand for extended periods of time.
- Must be able to work overtime and extended hours as required.
- Good physical condition with the ability to lift up to 50 lbs frequently.
- Good hand/eye coordination, motor skills, 20/20 corrected vision and hearing within the normal range.
Environmental, Health and Safety Requirements:- Must wear all required personal protection equipment associated with specific manufacturing work environment and job duties as stated in the Employee Handbook, posted policies, or as assigned by leadership personnel.
- Maintain clean and safe working environment and follow all safety policies and procedures, such as lock out/tag out, safe lifting techniques, and all others as instructed.
- Inform Management of any food safety or quality issues or of any processes which become noncompliant with specified requirements.
Food Safety:- Understand, observe, and comply with the handling and usage of the color-coded container policy while in the Production Areas.
- Perform all duties necessary to meet Company, Customer and/or Government requirements/standards as prioritized by the Company.
- Ability to initiate action to prevent the occurrence of nonconformities relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the product, processes, quality system, or safety system.
- Identify and record any problems relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the ingredients, processes, quality system, or safety system.
- Controls further processing or delivery of nonconforming product in terms of Food Safety and Quality issues until the deficiency or unsatisfactory condition has been correct
