Production Manager

Archer Daniels Midland Company; Newman; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Archer Daniels Midland Company seeks a Production Operations Manager to safeguard safety, food safety, and product quality while delivering on production plans. You will spearhead process optimization, efficiency improvements, and cost control, targeting First Pass Yield and Lean-driven productivity.

Collaboration with planning and cross-functional teams is essential to ensure OTIF delivery in a complex FMCG environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in food science, engineering, or related field.
• Lean manufacturing / continuous improvement experience (Six Sigma Green Belt / Black Belt preferred).
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage outsourced services, and audit preparedness.
• Strong data analysis, problem-solving, and communication skills; English language proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety, food safety and product quality; execute production plans and ensure on-time delivery.
• Lead process optimization, efficiency improvement and cost control; drive FPY and PE initiatives.
• Oversee HACCP/FSSC 22000 systems, GMP compliance, sanitation, allergen control and CCP monitoring.
• Collaborate with planning to develop schedules and adapt to material/equipment/order changes.
• Drive OEE improvements, waste elimination, Kanban and 5S; manage production budgets and costs.
• Monitor outsourced services for social responsibility standards (IWAY, SMETA) and audit readiness.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Engineering, or a related field

Job description

Job Description

Role Summary

Fully responsible for production operations, ensuring safety, food safety, and product quality; efficiently executing production plans and guaranteeing on-time delivery. Leading process optimization, efficiency improvement, and cost control; achieving First Pass Yield targets; driving the implementation of Production Excellence (PE); and ensuring outsourced services comply with customer social responsibility audit standards (e.g., IKEA IWAY, SMETA, etc.).

Your Responsibilities

• Safety Production: Implement EHS regulations and safety policies; conduct safety inspections, risk assessments, and training; lead incident investigations and ensure corrective actions are closed-loop.
• Food Safety: Ensure the effective operation of HACCP / FSSC 22000 systems; oversee sanitation, allergen control, GMP compliance, and CCP monitoring.
• Food Quality: Ensure products meet quality standards and customer requirements; monitor in-process and finished product quality; collaborate with QA on non-conformance handling and CAPA.
• Production Planning: Collaborate with the planning department to develop schedules based on demand and inventory; dynamically adjust to changes in materials, equipment, and orders.
• Plan Execution & Delivery: Execute production plans to ensure OTIF delivery; monitor daily output, identify bottlenecks, and coordinate cross-functionally to ensure product flow.
• Root Cause Analysis & Improvement: Apply 5-Why, Fishbone Diagram, 8D, and other methodologies to analyze quality, equipment, and safety issues; track corrective and preventive actions to closure.
• Production Process Management: Manage process parameters for blending, filling, and packaging; ensure SOP compliance; support new product introductions and process validation.
• Efficiency Improvement: Drive OEE improvement; eliminate waste using ADM PE tools as well as Lean tools such as Kanban and 5S.
• Cost Control: Manage production budgets; control labor, energy, consumables, and rework costs; drive optimization of material yield and packaging waste.
• First Pass Yield (FPY): Own the FPY metric; analyze defect trends; implement defect prevention through process control and training.
• Team Management: Responsible for team building and recruitment; set and cascade performance goals; conduct performance appraisals and feedback; organize team-building activities and talent development.
• Outsourced Services & Compliance: Monitor outsourced services to ensure compliance with social responsibility standards such as IKEA IWAY and SMETA (SEDEX); conduct regular audits and maintain evidence records.
• Production Excellence (PE) Lead: Drive value stream mapping, waste elimination, Kaizen improvements, and visual management; train teams on Lean tools; track savings and benefits from PE projects.

Your Profile

• Bachelor's degree or above in Food Science, Engineering, or a related field; 5+ years of production management experience in the beverage / FMCG industry, including 3+ years in a supervisory or higher role.
• Thorough knowledge of food safety systems (HACCP, FSSC 22000, BRCGS) and GMP requirements; experience in Lean manufacturing / continuous improvement (Six Sigma Green Belt / Black Belt preferred).
• Proven experience managing cross-functional teams and outsourced service providers; familiarity with customer social responsibility standards (IWAY, SMETA / SEDEX) and audit preparedness.
• Strong capabilities in data analysis, problem-solving, and root cause analysis; excellent communication, leadership, and team development skills; good command of written and spoken English.

#IncludingYou

Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are cornerstones of ADM's efforts to continue innovating, driving growth, and delivering outstanding performance. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and create welcoming, truly inclusive work environments - environments that enable every ADM colleague to feel comfortable on the job, make meaningful contributions to our success, and grow their career. We respect and value the unique backgrounds and experiences that each person can bring to ADM because we know that diversity of perspectives makes us better, together.

For more information regarding our efforts to advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, please visit our website here: Culture, Engagement & Inclusion | ADM.

About ADM

At ADM, we unlock the power of nature to provide access to nutrition worldwide. With industry-advancing innovations, a complete portfolio of ingredients and solutions to meet any taste, and a commitment to sustainability, we give customers an edge in solving the nutritional challenges of today and tomorrow. We’re a global leader in human and animal nutrition and the world’s premier agricultural origination and processing company. Our breadth, depth, insights, facilities and logistical expertise give us unparalleled capabilities to meet needs for food, beverages, health and wellness, and more. From the seed of the idea to the outcome of the solution, we enrich the quality of life the world over. Learn more at www.adm.com.