Role Description
This is a full-time, on-site role for a Production Manager at our Petaluma creamery, Marin French Cheese. The Production Manager will oversee daily production operations, ensuring efficiency while maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety. Responsibilities include managing production schedules, supervising and training the production team, monitoring quality control processes, and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations. The role also involves problem-solving to optimize production processes and minimize waste, as well as collaborating with cross-functional teams to support continuous improvement initiatives.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Employee Management
- Create an atmosphere of teamwork within the Packaging and Production Dept’s and between co-workers in all departments.
- Manage Packaging/Production employees’ performance through timely and consistent feedback, annual reviews, and impartial discipline.
- Create a weekly schedule for employees regarding their work hours and ensure compliance with clock-in and clock-out times.
- Responsible for ensuring that employees respect proper procedures as trained in terms of Food Safety, Production Processes, Schedules.
- Responsible for ensuring that all procedures are followed and that all performance targets are met.
- Create SOPs for existing or new processes to ensure high-quality training for the teams.
- Work with the Plant Manager to maintain labor and production supply costs within budget.
- Support the QA Dept in the monitoring and implementation of Food Safety Measures.
- Work with Plant Manager and HR to ensure proper staffing to achieve production goals.
- Work with HR on discipline, grievances, and complaints in department.
Production Management and Planning
- Schedule the weekly and daily cheese production schedule to fulfill all orders.
- Schedule milk and cream deliveries, work with Supply Chain to ensure adequate supplies.
- With Plant Manager, evaluate the capacity to meet weekly orders and communicate any shortages or capacity issues to the Plant Manager.
- Proactively suggest line improvements (reducing time, labor needs, and creating digital tools) to facilitate production and traceability processes.
- Facilitate the development of new cheeses while working with the R&D department.
- Ensure completion of production records for use in budgeting and management.
- Review cheesemaking data for losses and production efficiency; explain it and propose actions to correct.
- Develop KPI’s for the Packaging/Production Dept and report monthly to the Plant Manager.
- Manage production indicators (overtime, losses, efficiency…) and communicate them to the top management and employees.
- Work with the Plant Manager to plan for future growth.
- Responsible for data entry in the JDE system to track ingredient consumption and ensure traceability.
Quality Management
- Participate in the continual evaluation of cheeses and attend all tastings. Note potential issues and work with management to develop plan.
- Ensure that all creamery procedures are clear, understood and followed. Support Supervisors in training those procedures.
- Responsible for carrying out the relevant inspections and control parameters (HACCP) to ensure the quality of the product is maintained at all times.
- Perform spot checks of the plant and monitoring records to ensure compliance.
- Responsible for maintaining a clean, safe and efficient work environment.
Communication
- Hold regular employee meetings with production and packaging teams. Use Team Meetings to communicate KPI’s and short-term goals.
- Meet with Supervisors and Leads to support them in their responsibilities.
- Communicate issues throughout the day with maintenance and quality.
- Provide daily communication during the morning meeting regarding issues occurring in Packaging and Production.
- Maintain constant communication throughout the day with the Plant Manager regarding any issues that may arise.
Safety
- Responsible to maintain a safe work environment.
- Actively participate in MFC’s Safety Culture by attending Monthly Safety meetings and bringing new topics to the team.
- Schedule time and prioritize safety trainings.
- Report unsafe situations to Plant Manager and HR and assist in inquiries as directed.
Qualifications
- Strong knowledge of food manufacturing processes, production planning, and staff management.
- Experience in quality control, food safety regulations, and sustainable manufacturing practices.
- Ability to analyze production workflows and implement process improvements for efficiency.
- Excellent people management, training, and leadership skills to oversee a diverse production team.
- Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
- Effective communication skills to coordinate with cross-functional teams and ensure clear direction.
- Proficiency in using production management software and tools.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish required.
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Industrial Engineering, Business, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years food production experience.
- Minimum of 5 years people management experience.
- Must have budget management experience.
- Proven experience as a Production Supervisor in a food production environment.
- Experience in a dairy or cheese plant, aged cheesemaking knowledge is a plus.
- Familiarity with CDFA requirements and licensing.
- Previous experience working in food manufacturing, specifically dairy or cheese production, is highly desirable.
Essential Physical Requirements
The physical requirements listed are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions and key responsibilities of this position, with or without accommodation.
Frequent operation of computer and other office equipment, the ability to sit at a workstation for long periods of time, stand, walk, climb stairs, bend, lift, twist, pull, push, carry, grasp, reach and stoop as needed. Ability to work in a manufacturing environment and withstand different temperatures. Ability to work in a lab environment with equipment and machinery. Ability to lift and carry items up to 50 pounds.
Pay: $95,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
Experience:
- Food Manufacturing: 5 years (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- Petaluma, CA 94952 (Required)
Work Location: In person
