Production Manager – Food Manufacturing (1st Shift)

Sterling Engineering; Itasca (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k) with match

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing company is seeking an experienced Production Manager to oversee 1st shift operations in Elk Grove Village, IL. This role requires a hands-on leader passionate about ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency. Responsibilities include managing production activities, ensuring compliance with USDA and food safety regulations, and developing strong teams. Ideal candidates should have over 5 years of leadership experience in food production.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of leadership experience in meat processing or related food production.
• Proven success in leading and developing teams within a fast-paced manufacturing setting.
• Strong knowledge of USDA requirements, food safety programs, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily production operations to achieve output, quality, and customer service goals.
• Ensure compliance with product quality standards, equipment reliability, and operator performance.
• Monitor production costs, contribute to budget planning, and address labor/cost variances.
• Partner with cross-functional leaders to support employee engagement and collaboration.
• Assess workforce skills, identify gaps, and implement training programs to strengthen team performance.
• Maintain compliance with USDA, FDA, OSHA, GMP, HACCP, and other regulatory requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in food manufacturing

Job description

A leading food manufacturing company is seeking an experienced Production Manager to oversee 1st shift operations in Elk Grove Village, IL. This role requires a hands-on leader passionate about ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency. Responsibilities include managing production activities, ensuring compliance with USDA and food safety regulations, and developing strong teams. Ideal candidates should have over 5 years of leadership experience in food production.