Production Manager

Benchwood Foods; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Benchwood Foods is seeking a Production Manager to provide leadership across safety, quality, productivity and engagement. The role emphasizes developing a culture of ownership, onboarding, and team member development while driving continuous improvement.

You will manage direct reports, interpret safety policies, ensure BRC/SQF compliance, and optimize processes to maximize yields and reduce waste in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Leads with trust and integrity.
• Effective listener and team player.
• Strong knowledge of food manufacturing regulations (FDA/USDA/OSHA/EPA).
• Able to work well with others and lead teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Lean manufacturing mindset with CI leadership.

Responsibilities

• Interpret safety policies and enforce safe practices.
• Ensure BRC and SQF compliance and food safety initiatives.
• Manage direct reports with performance reviews and development.
• Use data to improve productivity, uptime and efficiency.
• Improve OEE and reduce product cost.
• Schedule work based on priorities and skill levels.
• Coordinate with Engineering and Maintenance to solve problems.
• Maintain BRC standards and security procedures.
• Communicate clearly across the organization and perform safety inspections.

Skills

Trust & integrity

Effective listener

Regulatory knowledge

Leadership

Multitasking under pressure

Communication

Lean / CI mindset

SAP

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Meat/Agriculture Science or related field

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Production Manager will provide overall leadership for the department in the areas of Personal Safety, FSQA, Productivity, Cost, and Engagement of our most valuable asset – Our People. Through direct reports, they will monitor and evaluate the production process and recommend methods to optimize product yields, equipment operation and process control while reducing waste. Engage all employees in continuous improvement and foster a positive work environment while developing a culture of ownership and accountability, including hiring, onboarding and team member development.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Interpret safety policies/practices to employees including enforcing safe work practices.
• Ensure all manufacturing areas comply with BRC and SQF requirements, and supports all plant food safety initiatives to ensure quality and food safety standards are being met.
• Manage a staff of direct reports through regular performance reviews and developmental activities to ensure movement toward a high performance / high engagement organization, while assuring effective departmental performance.
• Utilize available data (line speed target, set-up guidelines, and efficiency and process data) to continuously improve productivity, uptime and reliability.
• Utilize the above information as a tool to improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and product cost.
• Set clear priorities and align resources to deliver against business and regulatory requirements in the areas of safety, quality, financial controls, and business initiatives.
• Manage product quality by understanding and communicating customer needs to employees and ensuring expectations are consistently met and according to standard work.
• Determine schedules, sequences and assignments for work activities based on work priority, quantity of equipment and skill of personnel.
• Diagnose equipment, ingredients and packaging issues.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Maintenance or others as appropriate to solve production-related problems.
• Ensure each manufacturing area is maintained in accordance with BRC standards.
• Ensure security of employees, facilities and information systems by following and enforcing established security procedures.
• Ensure clear and concise communication to all levels in the organization.
• Ensure regular safety inspections are conducted in all manufacturing areas.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Leads with trust and integrity
• Effective listener and team player
• Strong knowledge of food manufacturing, FDA/USDA, OSHA and EPA regulations desired
• Able to work effectively with others, have good interpersonal and leadership skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Highly organized, critical thinker able to multi-task
• Able to work well under pressure in a fast paced environment
• Strong computer skills including experience with SAP and Microsoft Office.
• Continuous improvement and lean manufacturing mindset with the ability to lead and support multiple projects strongly preferred

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Meat/Agriculture Science, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• 8-10 years of food manufacturing experience, with a minimum five years of experience in a management capacity OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Previous experience in Continuous Improvement / Lean environment Working Conditions

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Sit, stand, walk, reach, stretch, stoop, and bend.
• Read, write, and communicate orally in English.
• Use hands and fingers to handle, or touch objects and/or controls, as well as use repetitive motion of fingers, hands and arms to operate computer and other equipment.
• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities.
• Interact continuously with other staff members and job candidates, must have audible speech and good hearing and regularly meet multiple demands from several people.