Production Systems & Continuous Improvement Manager — SQF/ISO

Novolex Corporate • Elizabeth, NJ

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This role is for an individual who thrives on balancing throughput with safety and food quality. The manager will coach supervisors and teams while driving Lean and Six Sigma projects, and will be fluent in union environments and confident leading change. The position involves planning, directing, and coordinating daily production operations to achieve best-in-class safety, quality, service, productivity, and profitability. It also includes advancing programs that protect the safety, health, security, and welfare of employees, keeping the plant safe, clean, and orderly through rigorous 5S and environmental compliance, and enforcing GMPs and food-safety systems that align to standards like SQF/ISO. The role leads all production and production-support activities consistent with company policies, values, procedures, and standards, mentors and coaches the team using structured problem-solving to deliver sustainable results, and recommends and implements technical improvements that streamline processes and reduce waste. The manager will partner with customers, sales, and internal/external resources to enhance service, flow, quality, and product value, and execute full supervisory duties including hiring, training, work assignment, performance reviews, rewards/discipline, and resolving complaints per policy and law.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent blend of ongoing education and experience.
• 5–7 years in manufacturing leadership (or equivalent).
• Demonstrated success leading change in a union environment.
• Proven results using TQM, Lean, and/or Six Sigma to improve cost, productivity, or profitability.
• Experience working within SQF or ISO frameworks.
• Technical leadership with structured problem-solving discipline.
• Clear communication with stakeholders at every level.
• Microsoft Office proficiency and readiness to learn new systems.

Nice To Haves

• Continuous Improvement or Black Belt certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and coordinate daily production operations to achieve best-in-class safety, quality, service, productivity, and profitability.
• Advance programs that protect the safety, health, security, and welfare of employees.
• Keep the plant safe, clean, and orderly through rigorous 5S and environmental compliance.
• Enforce GMPs and food-safety systems that align to standards like SQF/ISO.
• Lead all production and production-support activities consistent with company policies, values, procedures, and standards.
• Mentor and coach your team using structured problem-solving to deliver sustainable results.
• Recommend and implement technical improvements that streamline processes and reduce waste.
• Partner with customers, sales, and internal/external resources to enhance service, flow, quality, and product value.
• Execute full supervisory duties: hiring, training, work assignment, performance reviews, rewards/discipline, and resolving complaints per policy and law.

What This Job Offers

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