As the Production Manager for a dairy manufacturing facility, you will be responsible for overseeing all production operations to ensure efficiency, quality, and safety. You will lead teams, coordinate production schedules, and drive continuous improvement in processes to meet the company’s goals in product quality, cost control, and regulatory compliance.

Job Responsibilities:

• You will oversee day-to-day production operations, ensuring that production targets are met in terms of quantity, quality, and cost.
• Lead and manage production teams, providing guidance, training, and support to ensure optimal performance and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate closely with Quality Assurance, Maintenance, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams to optimize production schedules and meet customer demand.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements, including GMPs, HACCP, HARPC, and SQF standards.
• Troubleshoot and resolve production issues, ensuring that any deviations are escalated, investigated, and resolved through appropriate corrective actions.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement by identifying and implementing process and system enhancements to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and improve product quality.
• Monitor production metrics, such as yield, downtime, and efficiency, and adjust plans as necessary to meet targets and drive operational improvements.
• Ensure that production equipment is maintained properly and that preventive maintenance schedules are followed to minimize downtime and equipment failure.
• Work with the Facilities and Engineering teams to identify and implement capital improvement projects that enhance production capabilities and drive cost savings.
• Maintain compliance with all health and safety regulations, ensuring that the production environment is safe and that staff are trained and follow safety protocols.
• Oversee inventory management to ensure the efficient use of raw materials and supplies while minimizing waste and ensuring timely production.
• Plan and manage the production budget, ensuring cost control and meeting financial objectives.

What You Will Need:

• A Bachelor’s degree in a related field with 7 years of relevant production experience, or a Master’s degree and 3 years of experience.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing production teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with production scheduling, process optimization, and troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations, GMPs, HACCP, and regulatory requirements.
• Continuous improvement mindset, with the ability to identify and implement operational efficiencies.

What Will Put You Ahead:

• A Bachelor’s degree in a related field with 10 years of experience or a Master’s degree with 5 years of experience in production management, preferably in the dairy or food manufacturing industry.
• Knowledge of dairy manufacturing processes, equipment, and best practices.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Familiarity with state and federal regulations related to dairy production, including the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO).