Production Manager

Lewis Bakeries; Evansville (IN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

401(k) with company matching

Pension plan

Disability insurance

Paid vacation & holidays

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Lewis Bakeries seeks a Production Manager to drive efficient production of bread and rolls at our Evansville facility. You will lead bakery staff, implement standards for formulas, scaling, bake times, and product quality across shifts, while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.

The role requires strong leadership, problem-solving, and hands-on experience in high-speed manufacturing, with proficiency in Excel and Word to track performance and costs.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in a high-speed manufacturing environment.
• Minimum of 5 years in a management position.
• Knowledge of food safety standards, GMPs, and production processes.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in basic computer applications, including Microsoft Excel and Word.

Responsibilities

• Implement company standards for formulas, scaling weights, pan sizes, bag sizes, bake times, and all production control processes for bread and roll products.
• Train, coach, oversee, provide feedback and assess Production staff and overall bakery production performance.
• Lead with a vision, manage change, develop others, and plan for continuous improvement.
• Plan and coordinate manpower, ingredients, and equipment for efficient production of quality products.
• Coordinate with Sanitation to meet cleanliness and product safety regulatory requirements.
• Implement best practices to achieve controllable costs and safety programs.
• Ensure consistent quality product is provided to Sales on a timely basis.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Communication

GMP knowledge

Microsoft Excel

Education

2 Year Degree

Tools

Excel

Word

Job description

Job DetailsJob Location: Hartford Bakery Inc - Evansville, IN 47710Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: 2 Year DegreeTravel Percentage: Up to 10%Job Shift: AnyJob Category: ManufacturingProduction Manager

Full-Time | Exempt | On-site | Evansville, IN

The Production Manager reports to the Plant Manager and is responsible for implementing best practices and standards for product and processes to promote efficient production of consistent quality bread or roll products. This position has direct responsibility of ensuring all work activities under its span of control are performed with attention to the highest standards of food quality, safe processes, compliance with all appropriate legal requirements and a focus on continuous process improvement.

About Lewis Bakeries

Lewis Bakeries is a family-owned and operated company founded by three brothers in 1925 in Anna, Illinois. Lewis primarily bakes loaf bread, buns, and rolls under trusted brands including Bunny Bread, Lewis Bake Shop, Healthy Life, and other regional favorites.

Today, Lewis Bakeries operates facilities in LaPorte, Fort Wayne, Vincennes, and Evansville, Indiana, as well as Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Our heritage has been built on quality, reliability, and a commitment to our customers since 1925. Every day, the Lewis family and our dedicated associates rise to the challenge of baking the very best bakery products while maintaining a forward-thinking passion for growth and innovation.

What Makes Us Great

At Lewis Bakeries, we believe in rewarding our employees with a comprehensive compensation and benefits package that supports their health, financial well-being, and professional growth.

Exceptional Total Rewards Package

• Medical coverage with weekly premiums as low as $10 and a low-deductible plan design
• Comprehensive dental coverage, including orthodontic benefits for dependent children
• Company-funded pension plan and a 401(k) with company matching contributions
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Paid vacation time and paid holidays
• Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates
• Professional development opportunities and long-term career growth

Additional reasons employees choose Lewis Bakeries:

• Family-owned company with over 100 years of baking excellence
• Stable and growing organization with a long history of success
• Collaborative culture that values employee engagement, safety, and continuous improvement
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact as a key member of the bakery leadership team
• Opportunities for growth, development, and career advancement

Key Responsibilities

• Implement company standards for formulas, scaling weights, pan sizes, bag sizes, bake times, and all production control processes for bread and roll products
• Train, coach, oversee, provide feedback and assess Production staff and overall bakery production performance
• Strong leadership skills with the proven ability to set a vision, manage change, develop others, and strategically plan for continuous improvement
• Ability to plan and coordinate use of manpower, ingredients and equipment to ensure efficient production of consistent quality products
• Direct resources of plant and equipment toward the most efficient production of baked goods
• Coordinate with Sanitation to ensure plants and equipment meet regulatory requirements for cleanliness and product safety
• Implement best practices to achieve company standards on controllable costs
• Promote safety through work procedures, and employee safety programs
• Ability to trouble shoot equipment to ensure optimum product quality is achieved
• Ensure that consistent quality product is provided to Sales on a timely basis
• Ensure that all union contractual obligations are fulfilled
• Coordinate and implement company policies and procedures in all areas
• Ensure compliance of all Local, State & Federal regulations and recall procedures
• Evaluate product quality to ensure compliance with established standards
• Collaborative and able to build/maintain partnering relationships with other departments and key managers
• Demonstrated ability to function successfully in a fast paced, changing work environment
• Coordinates the daily and weekly production schedule with the Plant Manager.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in a high-speed manufacturing environment required, preferably baked goods
• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in a management position
• Knowledge of food safety standards, GMP’s, and production processes
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends or overtime as needed
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of equipment utilized in high-volume bakery manufacturing, including how machinery functions within each phase of the baking process
• Possesses a strong understanding of ingredient behavior and the critical relationship between formulation, time and temperature to ensure product consistency and quality.
• Proficient in basic computer applications, including Microsoft Excel and Word, with the capacity to learn and operate additional company-specific systems and manufacturing software platforms
• Capable of navigating dynamic production environments, troubleshooting unexpected issues, and mediating workplace conflicts to maintain productivity and morale

Preferred

• Experience managing a unionized workforce is highly desirable
• Completion of American Institute of Baking (AIB) in-residence baking science and technology course and AIB Science of Baking correspondence course strongly desired (not required)
• Familiarity with BRC and BSCI food safety standards is highly preferred.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating across cross-functional teams.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving business environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Lewis Bakeries is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or status as a qualified individual with a disability or Vietnam era or other protected veteran status.

All candidates must successfully complete a background check, drug test and reference check for further consideration.