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Dover Food Retail is seeking a Production Manager in Conyers, GA to lead safety-first manufacturing operations across a multi-shift environment, approximately 280 team members. You will ensure adherence to the production schedule while optimizing labor and plant flow, driving continuous improvement and lean initiatives.
The role requires extensive leadership experience in high-volume manufacturing, with a focus on safety, scheduling, and KPI accountability.
Dover Food Retail (DFR) is a leading manufacturer of Display Cases, Specialty Products, Refrigeration Systems, Power Systems and Comprehensive Services; and leading our industry by Innovating What’s Next in glass doors and intelligent merchandising technologies that keep food safe under brands such as HillPhoenix and Anthony.
DFR is part of the Refrigeration and Food Equipment segment of the Dover Corporation® (NYSE: DOV). Dover is a diversified global manufacturer with annual revenues in excess of $7 billion.
DFR is built on creativity and customer-centric innovation delivered by people invigorated by a strong sense of responsibility to help our customers win in their marketplaces. The relationships we build with our customers are as important to our success as the products we manufacture. This collaborative environment delivers FRESH THINKING, reassuring our customers that they choose the best when they choose to work with the people of Dover Food Retail.
Job Title:Production Manager
Location:Conyers, GA
The Production Manager owns the execution, efficiency, and continuous improvement of our manufacturing operations. This critical leadership role manages a multi-shift operational footprint consisting of5Production Supervisors and a total workforce of approximately 280 team members.The primary focus of this position is ensuringSafety First non-negotiable approach and strictadherence to the production schedule whileoptimizinglabor efficiency. Because demand varies across our different assembly and manufacturing zones, the ideal candidate must be a master of dynamic resource allocation—successfullymonitoringheadcount, flexing labor between lines, andmaintaininga high-performance, safety-first culture.
Lead by Visible Example:Actively champion a Safety First, Production Second mind set. Conduct regular, high-visibility floor walks andJob SafetyAudits(JSA)alongside the production supervisorsto model correct safety behaviors and PPE.
De-stigmatize reporting:Fostera psychological safety culture where team members feel empowered to report near-misses, hazards, and minor injuriesimmediatelywithout the fear of retaliation or blame.
Operationalize Daily Safety:Embed safety into the daily production rhythm. Ensure that shift handovers and Tier 1/Tier 2 huddles always leadwithsafety metrics and hazard callouts before discussing production targets or headcount.
Own the Schedule:Coordinate daily and weekly manufacturing schedules to ensure 100% on-time delivery to customers.
Cross-Functional Alignment:Collaborate closely with Supply Chain, Planning, and Logistics toanticipatematerial bottlenecks and adjust production flow accordingly.
KPI Accountability:Drive and report on core manufacturing metrics, includingEfficiency, Scrap Rate, First-Time Yield, and Plan vs. Actual output.
Dynamic Labor Flexing:Monitorheadcount in real-time across various assembly and fabrication areas.Strategically shift/flex personnel to high-priority or bottleneck zones to optimize labor utilization.
Supervisory Leadership:Directly manage, mentor, and develop 5 Production Supervisors. Hold them accountable for shift handovers, daily tier meetings, and floor-level performance.
Labor Planning:Oversee standard work hours, overtime tracking, absenteeism, and seasonal or demand-driven staffing adjustments for the 260-person team.
Lean Deployment:Co-lead, and sustainment of the company’s Operational Excellence (OpEx) model, specifically focusing onStandard Work (SW),Leader Standard Work (LSW), andTier Accountability Processesinareasof responsibility.
Kaizen Leadership:Ownand execute targeted Kaizen events and rapid improvement projects toeliminatewaste, improve quality, and reduce manufacturing cycle timein collaborationoftheOpExLeader and Manufacturing Engineering Team.
Area Transformation:Collaborate inmajor layout and process reconfigurations necessary for plant restructuring or new product introductions, ensuring a safe and efficient work environmentassuring.
Establish a “Stop-and-Fix” Culture (Jidokaand Build in Quality):Cultivate an environment across all team members where quality is owned at the individual workstation rather than relying on final inspections. Empower operatorsto stopthe lineimmediatelyupon detecting a defect to prevent passing non-conforming material downstream (I do not accept,produceor pass defects rule).
Bachelor’s degreein engineering(Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing), Operations Management, Business Administration, ora relatedfield. Equivalent hands-on manufacturing leadership experience (10+ years) will be considered in lieu of a degree.
Leadership Experienceminimum of 5–7 years of progressive leadership experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
Proventrack recordof managing large organizational structures(200+ total headcount) and managing through subordinate leaders (Supervisors/Leads).
Workforce Optimization: Deep understanding of labor efficiency metrics, capacity planning, and line-balancing techniques.
Lean Manufacturing:Strong background in Lean, Six Sigma, or TPS (Toyota Production System).
Systems Literacy:Highproficiencywith ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Plex) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES). Strong Excel skills for data-driven decision-making.
Agility & Problem-Solving:Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment where priorities shift rapidly based on headcount and material availability.
Communication:Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; capable of shifting tone seamlessly from a floor-level huddle to an executive briefing.
Conflict Resolution:Experienced in managing employee relations, driving engagement, and building a cohesive culture across diverse production areas.
The backbone behind our collection of outstanding businesses is a team of dedicated employees who protect and enhance our valued reputation for quality anddeliveringwhat we promise.It’sour values that define Dover toallour key audiences: our shareholders, customers, prospectiveemployeesandespeciallyourselves.
These values must be expressed in our work and embody our actions, as they form the basis by which we do our jobs, makedecisionsand measure our performance.It’sour unwavering commitment tomaintainingour values thatdefineswho we are as a Company.
Collaborative Entrepreneurial Spirit
Winning Through Customers
Respects and Values People
Expectations for Results
High Ethical Standards, Openness, and Trust
Medical, Dental, and Vision
401k Retirement Plan
Flexible Spending
Paid Holidays
The statementshereinare intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skillsrequired ofpersonnel so classified.Furthermore, they do notestablisha contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the Company.
Dover Food Retail is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, genetic information, or any other factors prohibited by law.
This position is eligible to earn a discretionary bonus based on performance metrics and other criteria outlined in our applicable bonus plan.This position is eligible to earn commissions based on performance metrics and other criteria outlined in our applicable commissions plan.We consider several job-related, non-discriminatory factors when determining the pay rate for a position, including, but not limited to, the position’s responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, a candidate’s education/training, the position’s location, and the key skills needed for the position. Pay is one of the Total Rewards that we provide to compensate and recognize employees for their work.
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the Company.
Dover Food Retail is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, genetic information, or any other factors prohibited by law.