Department: Operations / Supply Chain
Reports To: Plant Manager
The Production Manager is responsible for leading daily manufacturing operations within a freeze-dried food production facility. This role oversees all production departments and stages of the freeze-drying process to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality operations while meeting production goals and customer expectations.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with strong experience in food manufacturing, continuous improvement, employee development, and regulatory compliance. This position plays a key role in driving operational excellence, maintaining food safety standards, improving productivity, and fostering a positive team culture in a 24/7 manufacturing environment.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate and uphold the core values of Thrive Freeze Dry:
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Continuous Improvement
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Accountability
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Integrity
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Personal Growth & Wellness
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Teamwork
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Work-Life Balance
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Lead and manage daily production activities across all manufacturing departments within the freeze-dried food production operation.
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Ensure production schedules are achieved while maintaining safety, quality, productivity, and cost objectives.
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Supervise, coach, and develop production supervisors and team members to promote employee engagement, accountability, and high performance.
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Drive continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 5S, Six Sigma, and other operational excellence methodologies.
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Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to safety, quality, labor efficiency, downtime, waste, and production output.
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Establish visual management systems and provide regular operational reporting to leadership.
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Promote and enforce compliance with GMPs, HACCP, SQF, sanitation, food safety, and workplace safety requirements.
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Partner with Maintenance to ensure production equipment is properly maintained and operational to minimize downtime and maximize efficiency.
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Collaborate cross-functionally with Quality, Warehouse, Maintenance, Planning, and Supply Chain teams to support operational objectives.
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Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing processes, reduce waste, control costs, and optimize throughput.
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Manage staffing, scheduling, training, performance management, and employee relations within the department.
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Ensure effective communication across shifts and departments regarding production priorities, inventory, downtime, and operational changes.
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Support a culture focused on safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
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Maintain flexibility to support a 24/7 manufacturing operation, including occasional off-shift or weekend support as needed.
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Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Food Science, Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field preferred.
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Minimum of 5 years of management experience in a food manufacturing environment required.
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Experience in freeze-dried food manufacturing preferred.
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Proven leadership experience managing teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
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Strong understanding of food safety systems including GMP, HACCP, SQF, and sanitation standards.
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Demonstrated success implementing Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 5S, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement initiatives.
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Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
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Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to lead through influence and collaboration.
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Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail and operational focus.
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Proficiency in Microsoft Office and production reporting systems.
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Leads by example and fosters accountability, teamwork, and employee engagement.
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Coaches and develops team members to support growth and performance.
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Drives productivity, efficiency, and continuous improvement initiatives.
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Uses data and KPIs to support operational decision-making.
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Communicates effectively across all levels of the organization.
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Provides clear direction and timely operational updates.
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Identifies root causes and implements sustainable corrective actions.
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Demonstrates proactive decision-making in a fast-paced environment.
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Promotes a strong safety culture and ensures compliance with all food safety and workplace safety requirements.
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Maintain a high level of commitment to food safety, product quality, sanitation, and regulatory compliance.
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Ensure compliance with all company food safety policies, SQF requirements, GMPs, and HACCP programs.
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Immediately communicate and address any food safety, quality, or sanitation concerns.
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Hold team members accountable for adherence to food safety and sanitation standards.
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Serve as backup leadership support for food safety and quality systems when necessary.
This position is performed in a food manufacturing environment with exposure to temperature variations, production equipment, noise, and moving machinery.
Physical requirements may include:
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Standing and walking for extended periods
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Frequent lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying up to 40 pounds
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Occasional bending, kneeling, crouching, and climbing
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Use of hands and fingers for equipment operation and computer work
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Ability to maintain visual and auditory awareness for workplace safety
The position may require flexibility in schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays to support a 24/7 production operation.
