Production Manager - K9 & Kin

Kalmbach Feeds • Carey, OH

7d

About The Position

K9 & Kin is seeking an experienced, results-driven production leader to oversee daily manufacturing operations at its pet food production facility. The role directs hourly Operations team members and ensures safe, efficient, compliant production of high-quality pet food. It covers ingredient receiving, batching, extrusion, post-processing, packaging, and finished product handling, and collaborates with Planning, Warehouse, Maintenance, Quality Assurance, Food Safety, Procurement, and Engineering. The position promotes safety, accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction.

The role is primarily based in a manufacturing environment and involves regular interaction with production, warehouse, maintenance, quality, and engineering teams. Nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours may be required based on operational needs. The position reports to the Operations / Production Manager.

Requirements

• Manufacturing experience in food, pet food, feed, or another highly automated production environment, including direct supervisory responsibility for production teams.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and employee development skills.
• Strong troubleshooting, organizational, decision-making, and time-management skills in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Experience using manufacturing KPIs and driving operational improvements through Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, or similar methodologies.
• Proficiency with ERP, MES, Microsoft Office, and production reporting systems.
• Knowledge of food safety, quality systems, and manufacturing performance metrics.
• Effective communication across departments and willingness to work flexible schedules as business needs require.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Food Science, Business, or a related field; equivalent manufacturing leadership experience will be considered.
• Experience with extrusion processing, automated systems, and SQF/HACCP environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily manufacturing operations during assigned shifts and ensure production schedules are executed safely, efficiently, and in line with quality, throughput, and customer service goals.
• Coach, mentor, and develop hourly Operations team members through performance management, training, cross-functional development, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Collaborate with Planning, Warehouse, Maintenance, Procurement, Quality Assurance, Food Safety, and Engineering to optimize production, troubleshoot issues, and support changing business priorities.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, SQF, HACCP, GMP, FDA, environmental, and company requirements; maintain audit-ready operations and sanitation standards.
• Lead investigations and corrective actions related to safety, quality, and operational issues.
• Monitor production metrics, including throughput, OEE, labor efficiency, downtime, yield, waste, quality, and schedule attainment.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives, complete operational reporting, manage staffing needs, and support capital projects and new product introductions.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits eligible from date of hire.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Generous paid time off (PTO) policy.
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Company-paid life insurance.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Collaborative and dynamic work environment.
• Competitive compensation package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed