Production Manager

Ethanolproducer; Wahpeton (ND); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Job summary

A leading biofuels company is seeking a Production Manager for their Wahpeton facility. The successful candidate will lead manufacturing operations, ensuring high-quality yeast production while meeting safety and cost objectives. This role requires a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, 5+ years of manufacturing leadership experience, and strong decision-making skills. Candidates should demonstrate effective people leadership along with a commitment to compliance and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of manufacturing leadership in food, fermentation, biotech, or chemical processing required.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated people leadership skills, including coaching and performance management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute production operations in fermentation, sanitation, and packaging.
• Manage and develop the manufacturing team through hiring and training.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, environmental, and industrial safety regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Compliance with regulations

Process optimization

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or relevant field

MBA (asset)

Tools

Process control software

Operational systems expertise

Job description

Job Title

Production Manager

Company

Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits

Location

Wahpeton, ND

Job Description & Requirements

Job Description

Role Overview Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits (LBDS) is seeking a Production Manager to lead manufacturing operations at its Dakota Yeast production facility. This role is responsible for overseeing daily fermentation, sanitation, and packaging activities to ensure the safe, efficient, and high‑quality production of yeast, while meeting operational, cost, and delivery objectives. The Production Manager plays a key leadership role in driving plant performance, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering a strong culture of safety and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and execute production operations across fermentation, sanitation, and packaging to meet safety, quality, cost, and delivery targets.
• Manage and develop the manufacturing team, including hiring, training, coaching, and performance management, while reinforcing strong safety and quality standards.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, environmental, and industrial safety regulations, maintaining accurate documentation and a strong safety culture.
• Monitor plant performance and troubleshoot process issues, using data, root cause analysis, and corrective actions to address risks to quality, safety, or efficiency.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including process optimization, equipment and sanitation improvements, and approved capital projects.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and R&D to support operational reliability, maintenance readiness, and process or product improvements.

Job Requirements

• Technical Skills: Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Fermentation Science or other relevant field; An MBA is an asset.
• 5+ years of manufacturing leadership in food, fermentation, biotech, or chemical processing required.
• Specific software knowledge: Understanding of biofuels production processes; Process control, data analysis, and operational systems expertise; Budget management will be considered a plus.
• Personal Abilities: Demonstrated people leadership skills, including coaching, performance management, setting clear expectations, and recognizing team achievements.
• Strong decision‑making and problem‑solving abilities, with the capacity to prioritize effectively in a fast‑paced, regulated environment.
• Clear and timely communication skills, able to engage operators, peers, and leadership both verbally and in writing.
• Organized and accountable, remaining calm under pressure and collaborating effectively across functions such as QC and Supply Chain.

Additional Requirements

• Must live in or around Wahpeton, ND. If you´re a good fit, we can offer a relocation package.

Application Instructions

If you believe you are a good fit for us, please submit your resume and cover letter to Marina Melo at [e-mail]