Production Manager

Air Comfort, Inc; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401K Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Job summary

Gregory Packaging, Inc. in Bethlehem, PA, is seeking a Production Manager to lead the safe, efficient operation of all filling machines and line equipment in a high-speed, automated packaging environment.

This hands-on leadership role supervises shift teams and coordinates setup to meet schedules and quality standards. You will drive continuous improvement with Maintenance, Engineering and Quality Assurance, develop operators, ensure GMP compliance, and report on production performance.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor’s degree in related field preferred.
• Minimum of two years of manufacturing or production leadership experience.
• Dairy, beverage, or process industry background a plus.
• Must pass background check and be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise production employees and shift teams to ensure safety, reliability, sanitation and quality.
• Recruit, hire, train and coach team members to meet goals and company policies.
• Oversee operator training, including aseptic training, ensuring team is skilled and competent.
• Facilitate shift handoffs and lead daily/weekly operations meetings.

Skills

Team leadership

Safety & GMP

Troubleshooting

Problem solving

Data reporting

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Production software

Job description

Gregory Packaging, Inc.

https://gregorypackaginginc.com/

Proudly 100% American owned since 1922

Production Manager

Department: Production

Location: Bethlehem, PA

Reports to: Plant Manager

Employment Type: Full Time

Work Setting: Manufacturing

Pay Type: Salary

About Gregory Packaging, Inc.

Gregory Packaging Inc. is a highly successful, fourth-generation, family-owned, growth-oriented beverage manufacturer headquartered in Bethlehem, PA, with history dating back to 1922. What began as a seafood business evolved into fruit juice manufacturing in the 1960s, eventually giving rise to the company’s flagship brand, SunCup. Today, Gregory Packaging operates in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Georgia, New Jersey, and Arizona, producing quality, all-natural beverages distributed to industries like Health Care, K-12 Care and Education, Elderly Care and Prisons across all 50 states.

Benefits Summary

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• 401K Retirement Plan
• Life Insurance, Short Term/Long Term Disability, Critical Illness, and more
• 80 hours Paid Time Off annually, rollover allowed, accrued from date of hire
• 7 Paid Holidays
• Weekly Pay, Shift Premiums
• Referral Bonus Program, Employee Discount Program

Position Summary

The Production Manager leads the safe, efficient operation of all filling machines, including aseptic fillers, and related line equipment in a high-speed, automated packaging environment, coordinating setup and operation to meet production schedules and quality standards.

This hands-on leadership role supervises production shift teams, troubleshoots equipment issues, develops operators into a skilled, self-directed team, and leads continuous improvement in close partnership with Maintenance, Engineering, and Quality Assurance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and supervise assigned production employees and shift teams to achieve high levels of safety, reliability, sanitation, and quality.
• Recruit, hire, train, and coach team members to meet individual and team goals in line with company policies.
• Manage the operator training program, including aseptic operator training, so operators are well trained and competent.
• Facilitate effective shift handoffs between operators and supervisors.
• Lead team meetings, participate in daily and weekly operations meetings, and elevate issues to management.

Safety, Quality & Sanitation

• Ensure employees follow safety, food safety, and quality procedures and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), including required PPE.
• Oversee quality checks, including package integrity, transversal and longitudinal seals, dye tests, organoleptic tests, and paper splices.
• Oversee cleaning and sanitizing of equipment and work areas to meet industry standards.
• Ensure production inspections, shift records, and quality documentation are complete and accurate.

Production & Equipment

• Review production schedules to confirm accurate equipment setups and material availability.
• Manage the setup, clean-in-place (CIP), clean-out-of-place (COP), monitoring, and operation of all filling machines.
• Develop expert knowledge of the production process and equipment, troubleshoot line and manufacturing issues, and teach the team to do the same.
• Keep equipment well maintained and promptly report mechanical issues to Maintenance.

Continuous Improvement & Reporting

• Analyze production data and report on trends and improvement opportunities.
• Lead statistical process control (SPC) project teams to improve safety, quality, reliability, and sanitation and reduce waste.
• Standardize processes, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and work instructions across all locations.
• Partner with Engineering and Quality Assurance to define and document best practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor’s degree in food science, engineering, business, or a related field preferred. Industry experience may be considered in place of a degree.
• Minimum of two years of manufacturing or production experience in a leadership role.
• Dairy, beverage, or process industry background is a plus.
• Must pass a background check and drug screen, if applicable, and be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Current technical knowledge of production processes, materials, and equipment.
• Strong troubleshooting and critical thinking skills; able to prioritize and resolve multiple problems at once.
• Strong team leadership skills, including goal setting, coaching, and achieving results through others.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail, especially in quality control and documentation.
• Able to perform basic math related to production metrics and quality checks.
• Comfortable with production software for data entry and reporting.
• Reliable team player with a strong work ethic; self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision.
• Able to work a flexible schedule, including variable hours, overtime, and weekends.

Physical Demands

• Able to lift at least 30 pounds.
• Able to stand and walk for long periods, and to crouch, bend, and reach as needed.
• Strong visual acuity for computer screens and small objects on the line and equipment.
• Fast-paced manufacturing environment near machinery, with varying temperatures and noise levels; PPE required.