Food Production Manager

Parallel Employment•Greenfield, WI

13h

About The Position

The Food Production Manager leads production and sanitation teams in a food manufacturing facility, with responsibility for operational performance, safety, food safety, quality, employee development, and continuous improvement. The role establishes team vision and expectations, works closely with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Safety, and other departments, and drives results using production, downtime, and efficiency data. The manager leads daily management systems, KPI reviews, floor huddles, and shift-change communications; develops strategies to improve productivity, efficiency, and overall equipment effectiveness; and recruits, coaches, and develops leaders and team members. The position also develops and maintains standardized procedures for equipment startup and shutdown, changeovers, equipment operation and troubleshooting, sanitation, housekeeping, and workplace organization. The work takes place in a manufacturing environment that may be hot, humid, wet, and fast-paced. The role requires frequent production-floor presence, the ability to lift up to 50 pounds, and flexibility to work varying schedules and extended hours as business needs require.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required.
10 or more years of leadership experience in food manufacturing or food processing environments.
Proven success managing large production teams and delivering operational results.
Demonstrated experience improving safety performance, food safety compliance, quality systems, and operational efficiency.
Strong analytical skills and ability to use data to drive business decisions.
Excellent communication, coaching, and employee development skills.
Strong computer skills, including Excel, databases, and reporting systems.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
Flexibility to work varying schedules and extended hours as business needs require.

Nice To Haves

Technical or engineering discipline.
Beverage or bottling manufacturing experience.
Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills.
Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or Operational Excellence experience.
Experience managing multi-shift manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities

Lead and inspire production and sanitation teams to achieve high performance.
Establish a clear vision, direction, and expectations that promote employee engagement and operational success.
Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Safety, and other departments to achieve business objectives.
Champion safety and food safety, ensuring compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards.
Promote training, accountability, and continuous improvement in safety and quality programs.
Use production, downtime, and efficiency metrics to identify root causes and implement sustainable solutions.
Lead daily management systems, KPI reviews, floor huddles, and shift-change communications.
Develop and execute strategies to improve productivity, efficiency, and overall equipment effectiveness.
Recruit, hire, mentor, and develop high-performing leaders and team members.
Coach supervisors and frontline leaders to improve engagement, accountability, and performance.
Foster a culture focused on teamwork, development, and results.
Develop and maintain standardized work procedures for equipment startup and shutdown, changeovers, equipment operation and troubleshooting, sanitation, housekeeping, and workplace organization.
Ensure best practices are consistently followed throughout the department.