Production Manager-Valdosta, GA

Job Title: Production Manager Department: Manufacturing

Reports To: Plant Manager Direct Reports: Production Supervisor

Job Location: Valdosta, GA Job Level: Manager

Position Summary:
The Production Manager is responsible for coordinating the activities of the Production Department and monitoring procedures and standards to achieve consistent high quality products produced in an efficient manner. They provides leadership for, and develops the abilities of, production leaders in the department. The Production Manager is responsible for ensuring the best quality products, excellent customer service by maintaining regular quality audits (American Institute of Baking), good manufacturing practices, compliance with federal/state/local regulations (FDA, OSHA, Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, etc.), HACCP, meet or exceed Global Food Safety Standards (BRC), environmental compliance. This role will oversee the current line with expectations of a potential second line in the future.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Supports General Plant Safety, Food Safety, Food Defense initiatives and Good Manufacturing Practices with an understanding that these are absolutes and are Priority #1. Ensuring that General safety and Food Safety are absolute priorities by setting an example to others
• Ensures that Product Quality is an absolute priority by utilizing Integrated Process Management (IPM), plant teams, and outside resources
• Clearly understands structure of teams, acts as a resource and ensures that the Integrated Process Management structure is maintained and that facts and data are used in all decisions related to product quality, cost savings improvements, etc
• Develops, implements and manages all production procedures to ensure all plant goals are met
• Supervises, trains and coaches manufacturing management to include responsibility for personnel and labor issues throughout the plant
• Responsible for achieving budgets & managing KPI's - for capital investments, pan glazing, downtime, damages, waste and sustainability
• Maintains records for all phases of production relative to the quality of the product, including plant formulation records, and those records necessary for auditing purposes to include order completion and scheduling of holiday production
• Take appropriate action to ensure the integrity and sustained certification of the Food Safety and Quality systems
• Responsible for reporting and taking any necessary action to prevent food safety and food quality problems from occurring
• Responsible for following and enforcing procedures outlined in the Food Safety Plan and the Food Quality Plan and any other programs that support the food safety and quality systems and other 3rd party audits

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Key Behavioral Competencies:

• Ability to create a culture and team with operational capabilities to achieve BQ's objectives.
• Ability to work closely in a team based environment with all associates.
• Ability to engage and develop others through coaching.
• Ability to empower and involve associates in planning and decision making.
• Ability to establish objectives, ownership of work, and accountability for results.
• Ability to support established project objectives, checkpoints and timelines and manage team members to meet project tasks and expectations.
• Ability to exchange complex information effectively to reach agreement in ambiguous or difficult situations.

Education and Work History:
Bachelor's degree in manufacturing or a related field is required. A combination of education, training and experience that results in demonstrated competency to perform the work may be substituted.

• 7+ years of hands-on management experience and direct manufacturing experience. Experience with a consumer baked Goods Company is a plus. Extensive knowledge of bakery operations/processing/formulations is preferred.
• Strong leadership and team building skills.
• Strong technical skills and working knowledge of food manufacturing equipment.
• Knowledge of safety related issues including compliance with State, Federal and Local regulations.
• Computer skills and proficiency, specifically PowerPoint, Excel, and Word is required.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are required.
• Excellent organizational, communication and critical thinking (written and oral) skills.
• Work schedule will primarily be 1st shift M-F, and weekend day and holidays as needed.
• Ability to work/train on all shifts
• Bilingual - English/Spanish is preferred.