Production Manager

Ajinomoto Cambrooke, Inc.; Ayer (MA); On-site; USD 116,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Pay and Annual Bonus Opportunity

401(k) with Company Contributions

Medical, Dental, and Vision – Effective Day 1

Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, and Floating Holidays

Paid Parental Leave

Wellness Programs and Yearly Wellness Reimbursement

Work Flexibility

Company-Paid Life and Disability Insurance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Tuition Reimbursement Opportunities

Career Growth and Development within a Global Organization

Company-Provided Mental Health and Caregiving support

Job summary

Ajinomoto Cambrooke, Inc. is seeking a Production Manager in Ayer, Massachusetts. The role focuses on optimizing production processes, managing staff, and ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree and over 5 years of experience in food or beverage manufacturing. The position offers a salary range of $116,000–135,000 annually, along with a potential 15% bonus. Join a company committed to health and nutrition solutions.

Qualifications

• 5+ years supervisory/management experience in food or beverage manufacturing.
• Aseptic processing experience a plus.
• Knowledge of OSHA and FDA regulations.

Responsibilities

• Ensures that finished products meet prescribed standards and are delivered on time.
• Leads daily management processes for alignment with production objectives.
• Motivate and coach team members to achieve objectives.

Skills

Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)

Lean Manufacturing techniques

Proficient in Microsoft applications

Strong interpersonal skills

Ability to implement change

Education

Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, business management, or food science

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Access

Job description

About Us

Eat Well, Live Well. At Ajinomoto Cambrooke, we build careers grounded in helping improve people’s health through nutritional therapies.

Ajinomoto Cambrooke (ACI) was founded by parents looking to develop better solutions for their children with PKU. Over the subsequent 25 years, we have expanded into additional therapeutic areas with a focus on enjoyable nutrition as a core part of normalizing the life for people living with medical conditions.

Joining ACI means becoming part of a diverse team of talented people who want to build their careers while contributing back to society in a positive way. We seek individuals who bring an entrepreneurial mindset with a bias for action and finding solutions. We provide an environment based in mutual respect and collaboration to support you and give you opportunities to learn and develop.

Join us to find a rewarding work experience that lets you be at your best and have an impact on our patient communities.

We do not use AI to screen applications. Applications and resumes of qualified applicants are reviewed by a real person because we value your time and believe each qualified applicant deserves thoughtful, human consideration. It’s an old‑fashioned approach—done with purpose.

Why Join Us

Our people are the key ingredient to our success. We offer a collaborative, innovative environment where you can grow your career and make an impact on global food and health solutions.

We provide a comprehensive and competitive total rewards package, including:

• Competitive Pay and Annual Bonus Opportunity
• 401(k) with Company Contributions
• Medical, Dental, and Vision — Effective Day 1
• Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, and Floating Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Wellness Programs and Yearly Wellness Reimbursement
• Work Flexibility
• Company-Paid Life and Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition Reimbursement Opportunities
• Career Growth and Development within a Global Organization
• Company-Provided Mental Health and Caregiving support

Overview

The production manager plays a key role in optimizing production efficiency, reducing costs, and maintaining high levels of productivity through effective leadership and coordination of the production supervisor and operators overseeing the production processes to achieve daily production targets. The incumbent is responsible for managing, motivating, and developing production staff in addition to upholding plant policies, procedures, maintaining safety, quality, and production standards. Promotes and leads a culture of continuous improvement initiative to drive waste out of the production process.

Qualifications

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, business management, or food science required.
• 5+ years supervisory/management experience in food or beverage manufacturing with a strong understanding of food safety regulations and production processes.
• Aseptic processing experience a plus.
• Previous experience implementing Lean Manufacturing principles, continuous improvement, employee involvement, and change management initiatives and processes.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and familiarity with standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Working knowledge of Daily Management Systems and Lean Manufacturing techniques to eliminate waste.
• Basic understanding of OSHA and FDA regulations.
• Proficient in Microsoft applications; Word, Excel, Power Point, Access. Familiarity with SharePoint helpful.
• Ability to identify potential risks and implement solutions proactively.
• Ability to create reports and present data on department KPIs including safety, quality, and production yields, losses etc.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and follow-up skills with the ability to collaborate across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to transfer technical knowledge to practical applications.
• Ability to lead and implement change, develop and motivate team members while maintaining a positive work environment, ensuring accountability and ensuring a high level of employee engagement.

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements

WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed primarily in a food/beverage manufacturing environment. Ability to work extended days and/or weekends as needed. Work must be performed in a safe manner for personal protection and for the protection of other team members. All safety, quality, and environmental procedures must be followed, enforced, and strictly complied with.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to lift 50lbs.
• Ability to stand, walk on concrete floors for ~8 hours.
• Ability to walk, bend, reach, stoop, climb stairs/ladders.
• Ability to wear all personal protective equipment.
• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as required to meet business needs.

Responsibilities

• Ensures that finished products are consistently manufactured meeting prescribed standards, on time, and within cost expectations. Ensures delivery of business objectives through the execution of standard processes, workflows, and resource management.
• Leads daily management processes (cascading/escalation) for alignment with the objectives in the short term (Gemba's, Team Huddles), Weekly and Monthly Operational Reviews for medium and long term to achieve production plans.
• Motivate, guide, support, and coach team members to achieve objectives.
• Elaborates and executes workforce development program that will provide appropriate flexibility of workforce and assets.
• Focuses on material availability, finished goods quality, and on-time delivery through optimal resource allocation.
• Provides timely feedback and coaching to individuals and teams to develop them to their full potential and to achieve objectives.
• Ensure succession plans, development and coaching of direct reports, including the development of job specific training.
• Promotes and enhances a positive labor-management relationship including efforts to ensure a culture of teamwork and employee engagement.
• Ensure employees are trained and clear on safety expectations, including safety observations, programs, committees and timely communication.
• Ensure the timely launch of new products to the market as per agreement with the business unit.
• Other duties as assigned.

Salary Range

$116,000-135,000 Annually plus 15% Potential Bonus

EEO Statement

Ajinomoto Cambrooke, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis protected by state, federal, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.