Production Manager

Maola Local Dairies•Hampton, VA

6d•$100,000 - $115,000

About The Position

The Production Manager oversees daily milk-processing operations from raw receiving through packaging finished goods. The role ensures efficient and safe operations that comply with food safety regulations and leads three production shifts in a 24-hour operation. The manager focuses on optimizing processes and procedures, maintaining and improving efficiency, and supporting product quality and plant sanitation in collaboration with quality assurance, maintenance, and shipping and receiving. The position includes leading production staff, monitoring production schedules and performance, managing staffing and shift coverage, and driving continuous improvement. The manager also ensures compliance with safety, PPE, GMP, food safety, quality, and documentation standards, and performs sensory assessments of finished products.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or recognized international equivalent.
At least 3 years of food-manufacturing operational leadership experience.
At least 3 years of experience in manufacturing environments using continuous-improvement tools in lean manufacturing and statistics.
Ability to perform the physical demands of the role, including reaching, bending, extending, and lifting 50–60 pounds.
Ability to perform organoleptic assessments and consume and evaluate a wide variety of food ingredients, including potential allergens processed in the facility.

Nice To Haves

Experience with dairy-processing technologies and food safety standards.
Bachelor’s degree.
SAP experience.

Responsibilities

Ensure production efficiencies are met while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.
Monitor and support execution of production schedules.
Identify day-to-day operational issues, resolve them, and communicate effectively with relevant stakeholders.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement and teamwork.
Address staffing needs and ensure proper manpower allocation.
Maintain current knowledge of dairy-processing technologies and innovations.
Lead and engage employees in focused business and process-improvement initiatives.
Promote urgency during production runs and promptly address machine downtime.
Enforce safety protocols, PPE policies, GMP, safety regulations, and plant documentation standards.
Ensure products meet food safety and quality specifications.
Identify, implement, and sustain key process indicators (KPIs), and share KPI data with operators to help achieve throughput.
Identify root causes of underperformance and address issues effectively.
Manage production staff time and attendance records and arrange shift coverage when approving time off.
Perform organoleptic testing on finished products.
Perform other duties as assigned.