PRODUCTION MANAGER

Empire Packing • Olympia, WA

26d • $80,168 - $93,000

About The Position

The Production Manager develops and implements production and department plans, policies, and procedures in coordination with Plant Management, supporting companywide strategic objectives. The role requires expert knowledge of production-floor positions and responsibility for ensuring company policies and procedures are followed.

The manager oversees the efficient, timely, and accurate completion of production functions; resolves problems; completes assigned reports and records; and ensures production meets established production, safety, quality, and sanitation standards. The role tracks operational output—including efficiency, yield loss, product quality, inventory accuracy, and transactional accuracy—and adjusts production plans shift by shift to address trends, service needs, and operational efficiency.

The Production Manager supervises and develops assigned personnel, including training and advising employees, managing schedules and staffing needs, setting goals, delegating, and communicating. The role may assist with performance appraisals, hiring, terminations, wage decisions, and promotions. It calls for a positive, respectful leadership approach and effective communication with company personnel and management, including the assigned team and Plant Manager.

The manager drives operational changes while minimizing people impact and ensures team compliance with safety policies, company policies, contracts, procedures, product quality requirements, and sanitation standards. Other duties may be assigned.

The posted wage scale is $80,168.40–$93,000. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage beginning after 60 days; sick leave, vacation, and company-observed holidays; a 401(k) company match beginning after the first year of service, subject to the company vesting schedule; and continuous learning and career-growth opportunities through the Better Futures program.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or a related field, or 3–5 years of operational management experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Safety, SQF, GMP, and HACCP training or certifications.
• Previous experience with budgeting and expense management, and a basic understanding of financial and accounting practices.
• Ability to prepare spreadsheets and use Microsoft Office products, including Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and/or Access, to analyze data and trends.
• Experience using continuous improvement tools to drive improvement.
• Experience enforcing safety rules and policies.
• Ability to lead a team-based approach to decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a results-oriented, challenging environment.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to achieve results through mentoring others.
• Ability to speak, read, and write English.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement effective production and department plans, policies, and procedures in coordination with Plant Management.
• Help establish goals and objectives and ensure department procedures support companywide strategic objectives.
• Maintain expert knowledge of all production-floor positions and ensure company policies and procedures are followed.
• Ensure production functions are completed efficiently, accurately, and on time, in accordance with production, safety, and quality standards.
• Identify and resolve problems quickly and effectively, and complete assigned reports and records.
• Track operational output, including efficiency, yield loss, product quality, inventory accuracy, and transactional accuracy; anticipate and correct trends that could compromise financial targets.
• Adjust production plans on a shift-by-shift basis to prevent service issues and operational inefficiencies.
• Train and advise employees on daily needs and production methods, and lead efforts to improve performance and productivity.
• Manage personnel schedules and assess staffing needs.
• Provide leadership through goal setting, delegation, and communication.
• Assist with personnel decisions, including performance appraisals, hiring, terminations, wage decisions, and promotions.
• Treat employees with respect and motivate, correct, and challenge personnel using a positive approach.
• Communicate cross-functionally to resolve operational issues and drive business changes while minimizing people impact.
• Maintain open dialogue with the assigned team and Plant Manager.
• Ensure team compliance with safety policies and procedures, and maintain product quality and sanitation standards.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, contracts, and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage beginning after 60 days of employment.
• Sick leave, vacation, and company-observed holidays.
• 401(k) company match beginning after the first year of service, subject to the company vesting schedule.
• Continuous learning and career-growth opportunities through the Better Futures program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager