Production Manager

lostacos; United States; On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

lostacos is seeking a Production Supervisor to oversee daily tortilla and related product manufacturing, ensuring on-time, accurate orders and maintaining strict food safety standards. The role involves leading opening procedures, staffing, and continuous improvement of workflows in a fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years in food manufacturing, strong leadership, GMP knowledge, and the ability to train and coach staff across shifts.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of food manufacturing or production supervision experience.
• Knowledge of production workflows, labor management, GMPs, sanitation, and workplace safety.
• Ability to learn, operate, and troubleshoot manufacturing equipment.
• Strong communication, organization, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Dependability, punctuality, and availability for the 3:00 AM-12:00 PM schedule.
• Willingness to complete required food safety and forklift training.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily production of tortillas, masa, tortilla chips, and related products.
• Ensure orders are completed accurately and on time for daily deliveries.
• Lead opening procedures and ensure production readiness of staff, equipment, and materials.
• Organize staffing assignments and workflows; monitor progress and resolve delays.
• Maintain product specifications and strive to reduce waste, downtime, and unnecessary labor.
• Supervise, motivate, and support production employees across shifts.
• Train staff on procedures, equipment operation, and food safety.
• Cross-train team members and develop skills for operational flexibility.
• Monitor performance, attendance, productivity, and labor utilization; coach as needed.
• Handle employee concerns in line with company policies.

Skills

Production supervision

Team leadership

Food safety

GMPs

Communication

Problem solving

Punctuality

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Production Operations & Efficiency

• Oversee daily production of corn tortillas, flour tortillas, masa, tortilla chips, and other Tortilleria products.
• Ensure all orders are completed accurately and on time for daily delivery schedules.
• Lead opening procedures; arrive on time and ensure employees, equipment, and materials are production ready.
• Organize staffing assignments and workflows; monitor progress and resolve delays or bottlenecks.
• Maintain product specifications and identify opportunities to reduce waste, downtime, and unnecessary labor.

Team Leadership & Development

• Supervise, motivate, and support production employees throughout the shift.
• Train employees on production procedures, safe equipment operation, and food safety.
• Cross-train team members and develop skills to strengthen operational flexibility.
• Monitor performance, attendance, productivity, and labor utilization; provide clear coaching and feedback.
• Handle employee concerns respectfully, following company policies and escalating sensitive issues appropriately.

Food Safety, Quality & Workplace Safety

• Maintain compliance with GMPs, sanitation standards, food safety regulations, and company policies.
• Keep production areas inspection-ready under applicable NYC Department of Health requirements.
• Enforce employee hygiene, PPE, SOPs, and SSOP's.
• Monitor quality, respond to deviations, and expedite food safety concerns promptly.
• Ensure cleaning, sanitation, and required documentation are completed.
• Obtain and maintain the NYC Food Protection Certificate if not already certified.

Equipment, Receiving & Shipping

• Learn to operate all Tortilleria machinery safely and correctly; ensure team members are trained.
• Report equipment issues promptly.
• Support preventive maintenance and minimize production disruptions.
• Oversee receiving and shipping accuracy, product counts, labeling, and timely shipment preparation.
• Organize pallets, materials, finished goods, and storage areas; follow applicable inventory rotation practices.
• Complete forklift operator training and obtain certification.

Continuous Improvement & Administrative Support

• Identify and implement improvements to workflows, labor efficiency, yields, and waste reduction.
• Help develop, update, train on, and enforce standard operating procedures.

Qualifications

Required

• At least 3 years of food manufacturing, production supervision, or related operational leadership experience.
• Proven ability to organize and lead production teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of production workflows, labor management, GMPs, sanitation, and workplace safety.
• Ability to learn, operate, and troubleshoot manufacturing equipment.
• Strong communication, organization, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Dependability, punctuality, and availability for the 3:00 AM-12:00 PM schedule.
• Willingness to complete required food safety and forklift training.
• Dependability, punctuality, and availability for the 3:00 AM-12:00 PM schedule.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods; lift and move materials up to 50 lbs with assistance or mechanical equipment when appropriate; work around industrial machinery, heat, noise, and varying temperatures; and wear required PPE.

Preferred

• Tortilla, masa, bakery, or similar food production experience.
• Commissary experience supporting multiple restaurant locations.
• Familiarity with SOPs, SSOPs, and NYC food safety regulations.
• Experience improving efficiency, reducing waste, and developing employees.
• Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills.