Production Manager

Utz Quality Foods, LLC; Hanover, Northern (York County, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

Dental plan

Vision plan

401(k) match

Profit sharing

Wellness resources

Onsite gym

Career growth

Job summary

Utz Quality Foods, LLC is seeking a dynamic Production Manager to lead our manufacturing operations across shifts, ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency while delivering production targets. You will partner with HR, engineering, and supply chain to optimize staffing, training, and continuous improvement initiatives, leveraging IWS and GMP standards to maintain food safety and operational excellence.

This hands-on leadership role requires strong coaching, data-driven decision making, and the

Qualifications

• Experience in food manufacturing and knowledge of production and processing operations.
• Planning and scheduling experience in a production/manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) and Redzone production systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate daily production operations across shifts to ensure safety, quality, and efficiency.
• Serve as liaison between production teams and cross-functional departments; align staffing strategies.
• Monitor labor, productivity, and equipment performance; adjust to meet scheduling demands.
• Oversee training programs and ensure proper job performance across shifts.
• Maintain GMP and SQF standards and contribute to Continuous Improvement initiatives.
• Support plant-level IWS, KPI communication, and performance standards.

Skills

Well-organized

Delegation and follow-up

Attention to detail

Interpersonal coaching

Problem-solving

Safety & compliance

Lead across shifts

Prioritization

Team development

Adaptability

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365)

Redzone production systems

Job description

At Utz, we're passionate about creating delicious snacks that consumers love while building a workplace where our associates can thrive. With more than 100 years of heritage, we've grown into a leading snack food company with iconic brands including Utz®, Zapp's®, Boulder Canyon®, and On The Border®.

Our success starts with our people. That's why we're committed to fostering a culture built on Care, Ownership, Respect, and Excellence, where associates are empowered to make an impact, develop their careers, and contribute to our continued growth.

As we continue our journey to become the fastest-growing pure-play U.S. snacking company of scale, we're looking for a dynamic Production Manager to help lead our manufacturing operations and inspire high-performing teams.

The Opportunity: Production Manager

The Production Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating daily production operations to ensure safety, quality, and efficiency across all shifts. This role serves as a key liaison between production teams and cross-functional departments, aligning staffing strategies and ensuring consistent communication throughout processing and packaging areas. The Production Manager monitors labor, productivity, and equipment performance, making real-time adjustments to meet scheduling demands while maintaining high standards for food safety and quality. This position also plays a vital role in training, continuous improvement initiatives, and supporting plant-wide systems such as Integrated Work Systems (IWS). With a hands-on approach and strong leadership skills, the Production Manager fosters a culture of safety, accountability, and operational excellence.

What You'll Do:

• Flexible to work across all shifts as needed based on demand.
• Maintains regular communication with the HR Generalist, HR Business Partner, and Talent Manager to ensure alignment on staffing strategies and associate-related matters.
• Coordinates and builds lines of communication within the departments, specifically with processing and packaging supervisors, and all personnel reporting to them.
• Meets production scheduler requirements efficiently and maintains quality, adjusting for downtime or supply shortages as needed.
• Monitors and analyzes labor hours and crew size needed to efficiently run production lines.
• Oversees training programs for all shifts and ensures appropriate training for all personnel is being conducted to ensure proper job performance.
• Ensures that the film waste program is maintained throughout the Packaging department and that information is incorporated into the overall packaging waste program.
• Analyzes existing production lines and recommends adaptations and innovations, which will increase effectiveness and lower costs.
• Supports and sustains Integrated Work Systems (IWS) in the plant to include maintaining and communicating line level KPIs and performance standards.
• Responsible for the safety performance of assigned team while supporting the culture of safety and health through active engagement with leadership and the maintenance of a safe work environment.
• Follows and enforces all GMP and food safety practices and all applicable requirements of the SQF system.
• Performs other duties as assigned that will impact and support the overall outcome of the company and department objectives.

What We're Looking For:

Experience

• Prior experience in food manufacturing, including knowledge of production and processing operations.
• Experience in planning and scheduling within a production or manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) and Redzone production systems.

Skills

• Well-organized with strong time management abilities.
• Effective delegation and follow-up to ensure task completion.
• Strong attention to detail with a focus on quality and compliance.
• Excellent interpersonal and coaching skills to lead and support team development.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and sound decision-making under pressure.
• Manufacturing and warehouse environment.
• Fast-paced setting requiring flexibility, prioritization, and strong organizational skills.
• Opportunity to lead operations across multiple shifts based on business needs.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a focus on safety, quality, and performance.

External Recruitment Process:

• Easy Application (5 mins): Introduce yourself and answer a few key questions to get started.
• Engaging Chat Interview (20-25 mins): Share your experiences in an online chat, highlighting how your values align with ours.
• Live Interview: Selected candidates will meet with the hiring manager to explore their alignment with the team and overall Utz company culture.

Why Utz?

We believe in taking care of our people. Our benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Employer-matched 401(k) and profit sharing
• Wellness resources, support programs, onsite gym and healthcare center
• Career growth opportunities in a supportive, inclusive environment
• A culture built on innovation, teamwork, and recognition

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Location(s)

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As part of our obligations, we have developed an Affine Action Plan for Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans, as specified by law. This AAP is available for inspection by applicants and our employees in the Human Resources Office during normal business hours.