Production Manager

California Dairies Inc • Los Banos, CA

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Production Manager is responsible for overseeing all manufacturing operations within the dairy plant, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality production of dairy products. This role leads production teams, drives operational performance, maintains compliance with food safety and regulatory standards, and supports continuous improvement initiatives to meet customer and business objectives.

Requirements

• Strong leadership and team development skills
• Knowledge of dairy manufacturing processes and food safety systems
• Excellent problem solving/decision making skills
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Microsoft office proficiency
• Ability to work in a fast paced, 24/7 manufacturing environment
• Must demonstrate good judgement when carrying out duties as assigned.
• English is required as the written and spoken language.
• Must possess or be able to acquire a state issued Driver’s License.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in dairy processing, pasteurization, cultured products, cheese, fluid milk, milk powders or ice cream manufacturing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily plant production activities
• Ensuring all safety and health standards are met to keep an organization accident-free
• Ensure production schedules are achieved while meeting quality, safety, and cost targets.
• Monitor equipment performance, plant efficiency, downtime, and labor utilization.
• Coordinate with maintenance, quality assurance, warehouse, and supply chain teams to optimize operations.
• Lead, coach, and develop superintendents, supervisors, and hourly production staff to drive performance, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Communicating regularly with upper management regarding problems or issues impacting production
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Must obtain medical clearance to use respirator and maintain certification.
• Conduct performance evaluations, training, and disciplinary actions as needed.
• Manage staffing levels and labor scheduling to support operational demands.
• Support audits, inspections, and corrective action programs.
• Partner with Quality Assurance to investigate product deviations and implement preventive measures.
• Support and enforce SQF / QA, GMP, Safety policies and procedures, and production needs.
• Food Safety and Quality are the responsibilities of this position.
• Support plant manager and cover in his/her absence
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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