Production Manager

A Growing Frozen Food Manufacturer

Production Manager

Elizabeth, NJ
Full Time
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    Benefits:

    401(k)

    Bonus based on performance

    Dental insurance

    Health insurance

    Opportunity for advancement

    A growing food manufacturing operation within a temperature-controlled production environment is seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead day-to-day production activities, supervise production teams, and stabilize manufacturing operations during a period of growth and operational realignment.

    This role is ideal for a hands-on leader with strong food manufacturing experience who can bring structure, accountability, and consistency to production while working closely with Quality, Warehouse, and Maintenance teams. The Production Manager will play a key role in aligning production output with demand, improving efficiency, and developing supervisors.

    Key Responsibilities:

    Production Planning & Execution:

    Plan, schedule, and oversee daily and weekly production activities based on demand forecasts and inventory levels

    Ensure production targets are met while maintaining quality, safety, and efficiency standards

    Monitor production flow to prevent overproduction, bottlenecks, or downtime

    Team Leadership & Supervision:

    Directly manage Production Supervisors and production staff across shifts

    Establish clear expectations, standard work practices, and accountability

    Coach and develop supervisors to ensure consistent leadership and execution

    Process & Operational Improvement:

    Enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) and production workflows

    Identify inefficiencies and implement process improvements

    Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve production issues

    Cross-Functional Coordination:

    Partner closely with Quality Assurance to ensure compliance with food safety and regulatory standards

    Coordinate with Warehouse and Logistics to align production with storage capacity and distribution needs

    Work with Maintenance to minimize downtime and support preventive maintenance efforts

    Safety, Quality & Compliance:

    Ensure compliance with food safety standards, GMPs, and workplace safety regulations

    Promote a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement

    Reporting & Communication:

    Track and report key production metrics including output, labor efficiency, downtime, and waste

    Communicate production status, challenges, and improvement opportunities to leadership

    Qualifications & Experience:

    Minimum 5+ years of experience in food manufacturing, with at least 2 years in a production management role

    Proven experience managing production supervisors and hourly teams

    Strong understanding of food safety, quality standards, and manufacturing best practices

    Experience working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment

    Strong organizational, leadership, and problem-solving skills

    Ability to balance hands-on involvement with managerial oversight

    Preferred Qualifications:

    Experience in frozen, refrigerated, or high-volume food production environments

    Familiarity with production planning, inventory coordination, and demand alignment

    Experience supporting operational growth or process stabilization initiatives

    Why This Role: This position offers the opportunity to:

    Take ownership of production operations during a critical growth phase

    Make a measurable impact on efficiency, structure, and team development

    Grow into expanded operational leadership as the organization continues to scale