Production Manager

Empire Bakery Commissary LLC•Rocky Mount, VA

8d•$100,000 - $125,000

About The Position

The Production Manager serves as a hands-on operational leader responsible for driving safety, quality, production efficiency, labor optimization, waste reduction, and continuous improvement initiatives across the production floor. This role leads daily manufacturing operations while developing high-performing teams, improving manufacturing processes, and supporting profitable growth through operational excellence. The Production Manager partners cross-functionally with Supply Chain, QA, Maintenance, R&D, and Planning teams to successfully launch new products, improve existing production processes, increase throughput, reduce waste, and optimize labor and equipment utilization. This position plays a critical role in building a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and employee engagement within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent industry experience required.
Three (3) to five (5) years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing and distribution environment. Food production experience preferred.
Demonstrated experience leading continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives in a manufacturing environment.
Strong understanding of lean manufacturing principles, waste reduction strategies, process optimization, and KPI-driven production management.
Proven project management experience leading cross-functional initiatives including new product launches, process improvements, equipment implementation, and operational scaling projects.
Experience analyzing production metrics including labor efficiency, yields, downtime, throughput, waste, and OEE to drive operational improvements.
Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills with the ability to implement sustainable corrective actions.
Experience implementing RedZone Manufacturing methodologies preferred.
Bilingual in English & Spanish preferred.
Demonstrated experience building a diverse, strong management team and promoting teamwork across all departments.
Knowledge of safety related issues including compliance with State, Federal and Local regulations.
Experience with ERP - NetSuite preferred.
Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and production reporting systems such as RedZone.

Nice To Haves

Food production experience preferred.
Experience implementing RedZone Manufacturing methodologies preferred.
Bilingual in English & Spanish preferred.
Experience with ERP - NetSuite preferred.

Responsibilities

Direct day-to-day operations through leadership and coaching. Lead team and coach team member performance and development.
Actively coach, develop and train production team, supervisors and line leads while creating a culture based on mutual trust and respect.
Set goals and standards for continuous improvement, quality, cost reduction, production volume efficiencies, and safety.
Lead a culture focused on continuous improvement through engaging employees, implementing new approaches and delivering sustainable results.
Maximize labor and balance schedules with customer orders while minimizing overtime and supporting profitable growth.
Create and maintain a proactive safety culture ensuring compliance with all company and regulatory environmental, health, and safety requirements.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on increasing throughput, reducing waste, improving labor efficiency, minimizing downtime, and improving product quality.
Analyze production data and operational KPIs to identify opportunities for process optimization, cost savings, waste reduction, and improved operational performance.
Drive lean manufacturing initiatives including standard work, root cause analysis, process flow improvements, visual management, 5S, and waste elimination practices.
Lead cross-functional projects related to new product launches, line extensions, equipment implementation, process redesign, and operational scalability.
Collaborate with Sales/Innovation, QA, Supply Chain, and Maintenance teams to ensure successful commercialization and operational readiness for new products and process changes.
Develop and maintain production SOPs, work instructions, and process controls to ensure consistency, food safety, and operational efficiency.
Monitor and manage manufacturing waste, yields, labor productivity, downtime, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) to achieve operational targets.
Identify bottlenecks within manufacturing processes and implement corrective actions to improve line efficiency and capacity utilization.
Support capital improvement initiatives and equipment upgrades by participating in planning, implementation, testing, training, and startup activities.
Utilize RedZone to monitor business transactions and reporting.
Responsible for reporting any issues that impact food safety or quality immediately.
Proactively support the organization’s goals and objectives.