Production Manager

URBAN FARMER; Manteno (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

URBAN FARMER is seeking a 2nd Shift Production Manager to oversee toppings and bakery operations. The role requires hands-on leadership on the production floor, coaching shift leaders, and ensuring safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets across the shift.

The ideal candidate will have 3–5 years in bakery/food production with multi-shift supervision, familiarity with Lean/Six Sigma, and experience with ERP/CMMS and MS Office. Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Business, Engineering, or related field or equivalent supervisory experience
• 3–5 years of experience in bakery or food production, with multi-shift supervision
• Strong knowledge of bakery manufacturing processes and equipment
• Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or other CI methodologies
• Ability to communicate clearly across shifts and departments; English/Spanish bilingual a plus
• Proficiency in ERP/CMMS and Microsoft Office Suite

Responsibilities

• Oversee production activities across all shifts in toppings and bakery areas; ensure safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets
• Maintain strong floor presence (70%+) to observe processes and troubleshoot
• Coordinate with Planning for line setups, changeovers, and special projects
• Lead shift handovers and standardized processes for cross-shift consistency
• Monitor KPI metrics and drive improvements; collaborate with CI and Maintenance for sustainable solutions
• Develop and coach toppings shift supervisors and operators; lead training and cross-training
• Lead CI initiatives like 5S, Kaizen, Standard Work; perform root-cause analysis

Skills

Leadership

People Management

Coaching

Cross-functional Communication

Problem Solving

Training

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Business, Engineering, or related field

Tools

ERP/CMMS

Microsoft Office

Job description

2nd Shift Production ManagerJob DescriptionOverview:The Production Manager oversees the production in Toppings and Bakery department, ensuring consistent processes and food safety compliance. The role requires significant time on the production floor to supervise operations, coach shift leaders, and ensure that safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets are consistently achieved across the shift.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesSafety & Food ComplianceEnforce a safety-first culture across all shifts, ensuring compliance with OSHA, GMP, and company policies.Conduct daily safety inspections and ensure corrective actions are taken immediately.Partner with QA to ensure toppings operations meet all food safety, allergen control, and sanitation requirements.Actively support USDA, FDA, SQF, and customer audits by ensuring readiness on every shift.Production OversightManage production activities across all shifts, ensuring schedules are met without compromising safety or quality.Maintain strong floor presence (70%+) to observe processes, troubleshoot issues, and provide hands-on support.Coordinate with Planning to ensure smooth execution of product runs, including line setups, changeovers, and special projects.Monitor waste, downtime, and output, adjusting labor and processes to maximize efficiency.Cross-Shift AlignmentFacilitate shift handovers, ensuring accurate communication of production issues, corrective actions, and performance results.Implement standardized processes and reporting across shifts to ensure consistency.Track recurring issues across shifts, document corrective actions, and ensure follow-through.Performance & KPI ManagementMonitor key performance metrics for toppings operations, including yield, waste, downtime, and labor efficiency.Analyze variances and implement strategies to close performance gaps.Drive accountability with shift supervisors and leads for meeting KPI targets.Collaborate with Continuous Improvement and Maintenance to implement sustainable solutions.Employee Development & LeadershipSupervise and coach toppings shift supervisors, team leads, and operators across all shifts.Conduct performance evaluations, provide ongoing coaching, and deliver corrective action when necessary.Lead employee training initiatives, ensuring consistent understanding of SOPs and quality requirements.Promote cross-training and workforce flexibility to support changing production demands.Continuous Improvement & Problem SolvingLead or support CI initiatives specific to toppings operations (5S, Kaizen, Standard Work).Conduct root cause analysis of chronic production issues and ensure corrective actions are applied across all shifts.Foster employee involvement in continuous improvement activities and idea generation.Emergency & Incident ManagementAct as the primary toppings department leader during incidents or emergencies.Coordinate safety measures, communicate with senior leadership, and oversee recovery actions.Required Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Business, Engineering, or related field (preferred). Equivalent supervisory experience will be considered.3–5 years of experience in bakery or food production, with proven success managing multiple shifts.Strong knowledge of bakery manufacturing processes and equipment.Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or other CI methodologies.Ability to communicate clearly and effectively across shifts and departments.Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) a plus.Proficiency in ERP/CMMS systems and Microsoft Office Suite.Physical DemandsFrequent Movement: Regularly required to move around the facility to inspect equipment, supervise activities, and monitor the work environment. This includes walking, standing, and occasionally climbing ladders or stairs.Manual Dexterity: Frequently required to use hands and fingers to handle, operate, or feel tools and equipment. This may include tasks such as turning screws, operating machinery, and manipulating small components.Lifting and Carrying: Occasionally required to lift, move, and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds, including tools, equipment parts, and materials necessary for maintenance tasks.Safety Awareness: Constant vigilance to maintain personal safety and the safety of the team. This includes wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and adhering to all safety protocols and guidelines.**WORK ENVIRONMENT:**This position works in an office and a manufacturing environment with variable temperature and loud noises from machinery and equipment alarms. The incumbent will be exposed to loud noises and alarms from equipment and machinery.You should be proficient in:Leadership / People ManagementLabor Management Systems KnowledgeContinuous ImprovementLanguage: SpanishFood and Beverage ManufacturingManufacturing Instruction (MI)OSHA 10-Hour Certification (OSHA 10)Production OptimizationKaizenCost AccountingLean Manufacturing PrinciplesCoaching and Mentoring ExperienceOperational Metrics & KPI ManagementOperational Risk ManagementProduction Planning & SchedulingWorkplace Safety & EHS ManagementGood Manufacturing Practices (GMP)Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)Budgeting / Forecasting Experience