Job Description
Job Description
The Production Manager is responsible for leading all aspects of ice cream manufacturing operations, ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency. This role requires a strong floor presence, hands-on leadership, and a commitment to accountability and continuous improvement.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Leadership & Floor Presence
- Maintain a visible, active presence on the production floor.
- Lead by example, fostering a culture of safety, quality, and accountability.
- Coach and mentor supervisors and hourly associates.
Safety & Compliance
- Enforce plant safety rules, GMPs, PPE, and food safety regulations.
- Conduct audits and initiate corrective actions.
- Champion SQF and HACCP programs.
- Champion zero-injury culture and food safety; verify pre-op status, allergen controls, and sanitation releases.
- Ensure rapid product hold/positive release decisions with QA, close audit findings.
Production Oversight
- Manage daily production schedules and minimize downtime.
- Chair the daily production meeting; align with Scheduling/Processing/Warehouse.
- Partner with Maintenance on PM/DM windows; prevent unplanned downtime.
- Own the production scoreboard and EOS roll-ups.
- Support variance reviews (yields, scrap, materials) with Finance.
- Validate downtime coding accuracy; track labor vs. plan (OT, agency usage).
- Monitor KPIs: OEE, yield variance, schedule adherence.
- Ensure proper staffing and resource allocation.
- Translate the weekly/daily plan into hour-by-hour targets for each line; hold supervisors accountable.
- Direct start-up readiness (1st) and shutdown/next-day staging (2nd). Ensure FEFO material flow.
- Own co-pack execution: spec adherence, packaging/artwork verification, lot segregation, changeover discipline, and customer communication.
Quality Assurance
- Partner with QA to maintain product standards.
- Implement corrective and preventive actions for quality issues.
- Assist with CAPA meetings; leading and giving input when needed.
Continuous Improvement
- Drive Lean Manufacturing and 5S initiatives.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities.
- Run weekly Top Loss reviews (downtime Pareto). Sponsor SMED kaizens.
- Drive reductions in start-up scrap, micro-stops, and rework.
People Development
- Conduct performance reviews and training.
- Hold supervisors accountable for team development.
- Partner with HR on staffing plans, attendance, progressive discipline, and retention.
- Co-own a 90-day training roadmap: target % cross-trained by line/skill.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Education and Experience:
· High School Diploma/GED required
· Associates or bachelor’s degree preferred
- Four to Six years’ experience in a food production management role
- Ice Cream Manufacturing/frozen food production experience preferred
- Prior supervisory/management experience preferred
Competencies & Capabilities:
- Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills, and possess the ability to present information to teams.
- Proven track record managing large teams and complex lines.
- Strong analytical skills.
- Strong team orientation.
- Focused on key ice cream manufacturing KPIs and financial performance; demonstrated ability to analyze team and operations to balance safety, efficiency, service and optimization.
- Ability to problem-solve with various levels of complexity
- Demonstrated organizational skills and attention-to-detail (strong tactical execution, project management)
- Ability to operate in a complex, rapidly changing environment while adhering to tight schedules.
- Strong organizational, problem-solving and attention to detail skills are required.
- Must be well-organized and able to coordinate multiple tasks and requests.
- Must be able to train as well as assess training needs for associates on the production floor.
- Knowledge of GMP, SQF, HACCP, OSHA.
- Flexible schedule for multiple shifts
Computer/Technical:
· Proficient in MS Office with a focus on Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point,
· Prior experience with Manufacturing Production Systems, tools and equipment (Douglas, Morrison, palletizing equipment) strongly preferred
· Prior experience with ERP Systems (Sage software preferred)
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to stand for extended periods in a production environment.
- Capability to lift up to 50 lbs. regularly.
- Ability to work in cold areas and adapt to temperature variations.
Company DescriptionA heart-centered approach to staffing!
Company Description
A heart-centered approach to staffing!