Production Manager (Food Manufacturing)

Bridgetown Natural Foods; Mount Juliet (TN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Bridgetown Natural Foods in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, seeks a Production Manager to build and lead an effective team and execute manufacturing strategy. The role oversees two supervisors, line leads, and floor partners, owning 24-hour performance and daily management systems.

You will train staff, develop skills, implement standard work, and collaborate with HR, Finance, Planning, Maintenance, Engineering, R&D and Quality to drive safe, compliant production and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of relevant food manufacturing experience with supervisory experience.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Strong ability to engage and develop employees and future leaders.
• Proven ability to build effective production teams.
• Ability to communicate and understand work instructions in English.
• Strong conflict resolution skills and ability to work with others at all levels of the organization.
• Proficient with Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety, quality, and food safety as a role model for the department.
• Lead people development, training, and engagement for partners.
• Oversee day-to-day production activities across a 24-hour period and set priorities.
• Champion the Bridgetown Performance System across the department.
• Identify and reduce losses using data-based root cause analysis and coaching.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Communication

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Excel

Outlook

Word

Job description

Job Summary

The Production Manager is responsible for building and leading an effective team and for the execution of manufacturing strategy and daily management system. The individual in this role will lead a team of two supervisors, line leads, and partners on the floor focused on production lines in the business unit. The Production Manager will own 24-hour performance of the team and operational performance. Partner training within the department, development, skills requirements, and standard work development are all aspects of the Production Manager's responsibilities. This position works closely with internal functions such as HR, Finance, Planning, Maintenance, Engineering, R&D and Quality.

Essential Functions

• Lead Safety, Quality, and Food Safety as a role model for the entire department
• Lead people development, training, and engagement for partners
• Lead the day-to-day production activities and set priorities across a 24-hour period within the value stream to ensure that commitments are achieved, and improvements are made
• Champion the Bridgetown Performance System initiatives across the department
• Systematically identify, prioritize, and reduce losses through collaborative and data-based root cause analysis; teach and coach others
• Serve as a role model for cross-functional partnership and collaboration
• Be a leader and change agent to drive out waste in the manufacturing department
• Champion and role model mission and values of the Organization
• Employ an active leadership style, spending 50% of time on production floor.
• Accurately track and report daily performance across all shifts using a daily management system
• Leverage technology to deliver better results
• Partner with subject matter experts and leaders to implement changes regarding production capability, tooling, machine replacement and staffing
• Develop open lines of communication to engage the team and improve employee morale
• Partner with HR in the requisitioning, placing, training, directing, appraising, promoting, disciplining or other actions relating to the manufacturing operations employees
• Support new process and product development
• Assure a clean and safe working environment for all employees
• Maintain GMP standards and emphasize prevention of potentially hazardous conditions
• Actively promote awareness of safety to all employees. Address unsafe acts and unsafe conditions
• Manage team objectives, performance reviews, training needs and development plans
• Ensure food safety policies and procedures are enforced and food safety issues are reported, including increased focus on cleaning standards and execution

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 5-8 years of relevant food manufacturing experience; including direct supervisory experience; bakery experience preferred
• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Strong ability to engage and develop employees and future leaders of the department
• Proven ability to build effective production teams
• Ability to communicate and understand work instructions in English
• Strong conflict resolution skills and ability to work with others at all levels of Organization
• Proficient at Outlook, Word, and Excel
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Working Conditions/Physical Factors

• Positions require standing, repetitive movement, bending and twisting, and using hands to handle objects; exposure to sustained noise levels; exposure to a variety of food allergens; working in very hot temperatures; exposure to hazards such as machinery, slippery floors, ladders and powered industrial vehicles. May be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ability to stand for 85-90% of shift, sometimes up to 12 hours
• Must be able to work in an environment containing allergens, such as gluten, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts and milk
• Must be able to ascend and descend stairways, ladders, and ramps
• Must be available for all shifts (24/7 production), including some weekends and holidays. Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule as needed.

Other Duties as Assigned

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive, but to serve as a guideline. Management retains the right to determine additions or changes to job responsibilities.