Production Manager- Days

What You Will Do
The production manager is responsible for the planning, execution, and supervision of a production process to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. This role is responsible for managing inventory, placing supply orders, handling disputes among team members and regularly assessing safety standards in all areas. This position may also provide leadership and oversight, ensuring delivery of safety, quality, and production goals while continuing to grow Freshpet facilities sites by commissioning new lines and ramp up the facility’s performance.
How You Will Make an Impact
• Responsible for driving the facility’s main KPIs – Safety, Quality and cost.
• Direct, coach, and train Team Members as well as plan, monitor and schedule work.
• Communicates expectations and manages Team Member performance.
• Creates an effective working environment by applying continuous improvement tools and techniques to processes and systems.
• Manages and directs daily production goals in a safe, cost effective and efficient manner by ensuring all industry and regulatory standards are being met.
• Reviews production records for accuracy and ensures all records are maintained properly.
• Analyzes labor efficiencies and labor allocations to meet demand.
• Manages direct reports time off.
• Develops and motivates direct reports to improve the efficiency of their current duties and have clearly identified goals. Mentors and coaches to increase personnel effectiveness.
• Validate hourly appraisals to ensure team members are getting positive feedback.
• Conducts/documents regular communication, production and safety meetings to keep team members informed; encourages team member feedback/ideas.
• Addresses Team Member issues and delivers corrective action to include behavior, safety, quality, GMP, sanitation, work standards and time infractions. Partners with Human Resources for direction and guidance, as necessary.
• Works with Human Resources to assist with recruitment, screening and interviewing candidates, and documenting the selection.
• Leads/Assists in team member orientation and training.
• Stays current on business, industry and facility innovations.
• Actively promotes team spirit by maintaining open communication and utilizing motivational tools.
• Performs other duties as required.
• Production Supervisors act as back-up to this position.

What You Will Bring
• Experience in a manufacturing environment; preferably in a food manufacturing facility, with mechanical and technical process management experience.
• Strong analytical, written/verbal communication, interpersonal skills and the ability to work well across all levels of the organization.
• Knowledge of time and attendance systems.
• Familiarity with Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing techniques.
• Experience implementing GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) program through Safe Quality Food (SQF) or British Retail Consortium (BRC) certifications.
• Strong understanding of the sanitation process in a food manufacturing facility.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
• Ability to lead, motivate, coach, mentor, evaluate and develop Team Members.
• Ability to assess talent and apply performance management techniques.
• Ability to lead and work in a team environment.
• Exhibits a passion for raising Team performance and Team development.
• Ability to effectively meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated problem solving skills.
• Lean or equivalent training is preferred, and certification is a plus.
• Working knowledge of FDA regulations, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), sanitation processes/procedures and HACCP
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Applications; especially Excel.
• Solid mechanical, electrical, troubleshooting ability.
• Ability to set goals, objectives and to delegate.
• Must be hands-on.
Education/Skills
• Bachelors degree in Business, Supply Chain Operations, Food Science, Engineering or related technical field
• Minimum (8) years of manufacturing experience
• Minimum (5) years of Leadership/Supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment; Food manufacturing facility, with mechanical and technical process management experience
• Line/ Manufacturing Plant Start-up experience a plus -CQV or IQ/OQ/PQ
PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS
The performance of the employee will be measured as follows:
• Operating standards - the employee will need to meet or exceed the Operating Standards in terms of quality, cost, safety, customer satisfaction and productivity. Such standards will be set annually and communicated to the employee.
• Personal growth - while the company will provide the tools to assist the employee to grow