Production Manager

Winland Foods•Grand Forks, ND

24d•Onsite

About The Position

The Production Manager provides overall leadership for manufacturing departments, overseeing safety, productivity, quality, cost, equipment, and employee engagement. Through subordinate employees, the manager monitors and evaluates production and recommends methods to optimize product yields, equipment operation, and process control while reducing waste. The role promotes continuous improvement and a positive work environment, developing a culture of ownership and accountability. This position leads manufacturing teams and manages hourly and exempt employees. It uses production and process data to improve productivity, uptime, reliability, Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), and product cost. The manager coordinates with Engineering, Maintenance, and others to address production issues; maintains manufacturing areas to SQF standards; and helps ensure customer quality expectations and applicable business and regulatory requirements are met. In the Plant Manager’s absence, the Production Manager may assume that role’s responsibilities. The position is based at 1801 N 36th Street, Grand Forks, North Dakota, and works a day shift supporting 24/7 manufacturing operations. Weekend and on-call duties may be involved, and travel requirements are minimal.

Requirements

At least 5 years of manufacturing experience, including a minimum of 3 years of management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Effective listening skills and ability to work as a team player.
Ability to work effectively with others, with good interpersonal and leadership skills.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Highly organized, critical-thinking ability, and capacity to multitask.
Ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
Strong computer skills, including experience with SAP and Microsoft Office.
Ability to read, write, and communicate orally in English.
Ability to perform the listed physical activities, including sitting, standing, walking, reaching, stretching, stooping, bending, and using hands and fingers; may need to lift up to 55 pounds.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with reasonable accommodations available for individuals with disabilities.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Food manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
Strong knowledge of food manufacturing and FDA/USDA, OSHA, and EPA regulations desired.
Continuous improvement and lean manufacturing mindset, with the ability to lead and support multiple projects, strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Establish leadership and set the strategic direction for the manufacturing team, ensuring plans are in place to deliver business results and promote ownership and accountability.
Manage hourly and exempt employees, including direct reports, through regular performance reviews and developmental activities.
Communicate safety policies and practices and enforce safe work practices.
Use production, setup, efficiency, and process data to improve productivity, uptime, reliability, OEE, and product cost.
Set priorities and align resources to meet business and regulatory requirements related to cost, financial controls, quality, safety, and business initiatives.
Manage product quality by understanding and communicating customer needs and ensuring expectations are consistently met according to standard work.
Determine work schedules, sequences, and assignments based on priority, equipment availability, and personnel skills.
Diagnose equipment, ingredient, and packaging issues and coordinate with Engineering, Maintenance, or others to resolve production problems.
Ensure manufacturing areas are maintained in accordance with SQF standards.
Follow and enforce security procedures to protect employees, facilities, and information systems.
Ensure clear and concise communication at all levels of the organization.
Ensure regular safety inspections are conducted in manufacturing areas.
Drive improvements in manufacturing processes and implement new systems and procedures in a rapidly changing environment.
Support continuous improvement projects using Root Cause Analysis and other management operating systems.
Assume Plant Manager responsibilities in that manager’s absence, as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.