Production Manager

MDVA•Newport News, VA

About The Position

The Production Manager oversees daily milk-processing operations, from raw receiving through packaging finished goods. This role leads three production shifts in a 24-hour operation and ensures that production activities are efficient, safe, and compliant with food-safety requirements. The manager focuses on optimizing processes and procedures to maintain and improve efficiency, product quality, and plant sanitation, working with departments including quality assurance, maintenance, and shipping and receiving. The position is responsible for production scheduling and staffing, continuous-improvement initiatives, employee engagement, and the achievement of production and quality targets. It also involves enforcing safety and documentation standards, addressing downtime and underperformance, monitoring key process indicators, and performing 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 organoleptic assessments, including evaluating product samples using taste, smell, sight, and touch, and to consume and evaluate ingredients that may include allergens processed in the facility.
Ability to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear; stand and walk frequently; and reach, bend, extend, and lift 50–60 pounds.

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, develop resolutions, and communicate with relevant stakeholders.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement and teamwork.
Address staffing needs and ensure proper manpower allocation.
Maintain knowledge of dairy-processing technologies and innovations.
Lead and engage employees in focused business and process-improvement initiatives.
Promote urgency during production runs and address machine downtime promptly.
Enforce safety protocols, personal protective equipment policies, Good Manufacturing Practices, safety regulations, and plant documentation standards.
Ensure products meet food-safety and quality specifications.
Identify, implement, and sustain key process indicators.
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 of finished products, including sensory assessment using taste, smell, touch, and sight.
Perform other duties as assigned.