Production Specialist

Joy Baking Group; Hermitage (Mercer County); On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Joy Baking Group is seeking a Production Specialist to serve as a hands-on, on-the-floor leader supporting daily production operations. You will work with plant leadership to ensure personnel, process, and equipment issues are addressed safely and efficiently, while adhering to SOPs, GMPs, and food safety standards.

The role includes training staff, supporting new product launches, equipment start-up, and continuous improvement initiatives to boost productivity and quality in a bakery

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in food manufacturing, baking preferred.
• Experience with production processes and floor equipment.
• Proven leadership history with team development.
• Electro-Mechanical experience a plus.
• Knowledge of GMPs and allergen control procedures.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with plant leadership to set priorities and support site goals.
• Train and develop employees in new roles and processes.
• Support new product launches and formula trials.
• Install, start up, and implement new equipment and processes.
• Identify gaps and drive improvements.
• Provide hands-on production support to meet requirements and address challenges.
• Adhere to SOPs, policies, and production standards.
• Maintain a clean, safe work environment and enforce safety policies.

Skills

Leadership experience

Communication skills

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Data analysis

Tools

Excel

Job description

Overview

The Production Specialist serves as a hands-on, on-the-floor leader responsible for supporting daily production operations and ensuring personnel, process, and equipment-related challenges are addressed efficiently and safely. Working closely with plant leadership, the Production Specialist helps maintain a safe, productive, and quality-focused manufacturing environment while ensuring operations are performed in accordance with company policies, procedures, food safety standards, and production requirements. The training period for this position will span several months with 1:1 support from current personnel in the role.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Plant Manager, Assistant Plant Manager, Maintenance, Production Scheduling, Quality, Engineering, and Sanitation teams to identify operational needs, establish priorities, and support site goals
• Support employee training and development, with a focus on new roles, responsibilities, processes, and equipment
• Support new product launches, formula trials, process changes, and associated employee training to ensure successful implementation
• Assist with the installation, start-up, and implementation of new equipment and processes, including employee training and operational support
• Identify gaps and opportunities related to production processes, employee training, equipment performance, and operational efficiency and recommend, implement, and/or coordinate appropriate improvements
• Provide hands-on production support as needed to maintain workflow, meet production requirements, and address operational challenges
• Perform all responsibilities in accordance with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), company policies, and production standards
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment while supporting and reinforcing compliance with all company safety policies, procedures, and programs
• Promote, monitor, and enforce Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and all applicable company, quality, and food safety policies and procedures
• Understand, follow, monitor, and enforce all procedures related to allergen control to help ensure product safety and regulatory compliance
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by plant leadership

Essential Functions

• Must be able to speak, listen, and effectively communicate with team members and various plant personnel/departments including but not limited to Team Leaders, Quality Department, Maintenance, and Plant Manager
• Must demonstrate outstanding verbal and written communication skills with the ability to successfully interact at all levels of the organization
• Must be able to properly prioritize work responsibilities
• Must be able to gather, organize, summarize, and analyze data to make informed decisions
• Must possess strong business acumen and focus on improving business results through incremental improvements while evaluating costs, risks, and benefits for the organization
• Advanced functionality and ability to learn new technology and software including Microsoft office, specifically the use of Excel for complex spreadsheets and data analysis
• Responsible for adherence to and enforcement of all personnel safety, food safety & quality protocol
• Detail oriented with strong organizational skills with the ability to work well under pressure
• Required to understand and abide by all procedures pertaining to allergen control
• Required to adhere to all Good Manufacturing Policies (GMPs)

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in food manufacturing required, baking experience preferred
• Must understand and have experience with production process and floor equipment
• Must have a demonstrated history of leadership roles with an emphasis on team development
• Electro-Mechanical experience a plus
• Working knowledge of performance/operation metrics