Bakery Production Manager

SUGAR FOODS•Villa Rica, GA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Sugar Foods’ Villa Rica operation is a food manufacturing, packaging, and distribution facility. The Production Manager owns a designated production area and shift, working closely with the Plant Manager, Supervisors, Lead Operators, Operators, Maintenance, and Quality Technicians. This is a hands-on, floor-focused leadership role in a fast-paced, 24-hour operation. The manager removes obstacles for the team, follows standard work, prioritizes safety and product quality, and looks for opportunities to improve performance. Equipment includes ovens, baggers, case packers, case erectors, and Ropaks, among other machines. The Production Manager oversees daily production, staffing, schedules, shift start-ups and hand-offs, equipment readiness, quality, safety, material usage, and waste. The manager develops supervisors and operators, identifies training needs, supports onboarding and development of new hires with HR, and works with the GM and team to execute continuous-improvement plans. The position requires regular presence on the production floor and collaboration across shifts and departments. The second shift runs from 3:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. Managers are expected to be present at shift hand-offs, adapt their schedules when needed, and work 10 to 12 hours a day, five days a week. The role may also involve covering alternate shifts, checking in with the team during off-hours, and participating in projects.

Requirements

Five years of hands-on managerial experience.
Experience in food processing and/or packaging.
Strong understanding of and working knowledge of manufacturing equipment.
Experience generating and executing tactical and strategic plans.
Experience identifying talent, building teams, and developing and coaching Supervisors and other staff.
Ability to work 10 to 12 hours per day, five days per week, and adapt schedules to support shift hand-offs, alternate-shift coverage, off-hours check-ins, and projects.
Ability to work on the production floor and collaborate with employees and colleagues across teams and shifts.

Responsibilities

Manage the production area, team, and daily responsibilities to established standards.
Walk the production floor, engage with team leaders, coach employees, and remove obstacles to safe, quality production.
Develop a functional understanding of the assigned production area and lines.
Develop Supervisors and Operators as proactive problem solvers; provide feedback, goals, coaching, and recognition.
Drive line performance to meet or exceed safe production goals and monitor production deviations, communicating with the GM and Maintenance in real time.
Ensure teams have the tools and resources needed for successful production runs.
Manage schedules, crewing, and headcount to support timely start-up and shift hand-off.
Ensure GMPs and PPE requirements are followed throughout the assigned area.
Review shift reports to identify trends and issues; review and execute continuous-improvement plans with the GM and team.
Monitor and control material usage and waste.
Identify training needs and work with HR on onboarding, development, and training plans for new hires.
Escalate operational issues to the GM.
Coordinate shift start-ups and hand-offs, including reviewing production schedules and reports, identifying obstacles, and ensuring communication between outgoing and incoming teams.
Ensure material handlers, operators, line associates, and temporary staff communicate effectively and have the right materials and settings for production.
Verify safety mechanisms are working and team members understand and follow safety rules.
Inspect machines and lines for readiness, support start-up, and ensure they operate to expected standards.
Monitor production output and inspect products for conformity to specifications, including measurements, code dates, and weights.
Work with Supervisors and Maintenance to resolve mechanical problems and coordinate break relief.
Keep preventative maintenance current and work areas clean and organized.
Optimize the use of line associates and equipment resources; seek and share improvement ideas and suggest process improvements.
Train the team on safety rules, maintain 5S, check machine safety devices, and ensure safety tools are used and stored properly.
Address unsafe behavior and ensure Supervisors share safety tips at shift hand-offs.
Own product quality and promote first-time quality; ensure lines are set to quality standards and required quality checks and records are completed.
Empower the team to stop production when quality is below standard and work with Maintenance to keep machines in good condition.