- Oversee day-to-day production of pizza products across all shifts to meet volume, quality, and cost targets.
- Develop and execute production schedules to optimize throughput, minimize downtime, and meet customer demand.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) including OEE, yield, waste, and labor efficiency.
- Lead root cause analysis for production issues and implement corrective actions promptly.
- Lead equipment maintenance program execution.
- Maintain full compliance with all USDA regulations, including FSIS (Food Safety and Inspection Service) requirements applicable to pizza products with meat or poultry components.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for USDA inspectors on-site; manage inspection readiness and facilitate audit processes.
- Oversee HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) plans, ensuring all CCPs are monitored, documented, and validated.
- Maintain and continuously improve the facility's food safety management systems in alignment with FSMA requirements.
- Ensure all labeling, packaging, and recordkeeping meet USDA and FDA standards.
- Partner with the QA/QC team to uphold product quality standards and manage non-conformances.
- Drive SQF, BRC, or equivalent third-party food safety certification maintenance and renewal.
- Implement and monitor sanitation programs (SSOP) and pest control procedures across the facility.
- Lead internal audits and prepare the plant for third-party and customer audits.
- Directly manage production supervisors, leads, and support staff; foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
- Identify training needs and develop workforce capabilities in food safety, equipment operation, and GMPs.
- Lead recruitment, onboarding, performance reviews, and disciplinary processes in partnership with HR.
- Promote a positive, inclusive, and engaged workplace culture.
- Champion a zero-incident safety culture; ensure full compliance with OSHA regulations and internal EHS policies.
- Lead investigation of all workplace incidents and near-misses, implementing corrective and preventive actions.
- Maintain environmental compliance and ensure proper waste handling procedures are followed.
- Manage the plant operating budget including labor, materials, overhead, and capital expenditures.
- Identify and execute cost reduction and efficiency improvement initiatives.
- Collaborate with procurement, logistics, and sales teams to align production capacity with business needs.
- Report plant performance metrics to senior leadership on a regular basis.
- Develop/maintains collaborative relationships with customers and vendors
- Work in conjunction with procurement to develop and execute customer and vendor contracts
- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field; equivalent experience considered.
- 5–8 years of progressive experience in food manufacturing, with at least 3 years in a plant management or senior supervisory role.
- Maintain high standards for contract execution, holding oneself and others accountable
- Direct experience working in a USDA-regulated or FSIS-inspected facility.
- Solid knowledge of HACCP principles, GMPs, SSOP, and FSMA requirements.
- Demonstrated ability to lead multi-shift operations and manage teams of 50+ employees.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience using data to drive decisions.
- Proficiency in production planning systems (ERP/MES) and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Experience in pizza, dough, or frozen food manufacturing.
- SQF Practitioner, PCQI, or HACCP certification.
- Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma (Green or Black Belt), or TPM certification.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus given diverse workforce environments.
Equal Opportunity Employer
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