Production Manager - Van Drunen Family of Companies

The Van Drunen Family of Companies is growing!

JOB OVERVIEW:

Reporting directly to the Plant Manager, the Production Manager takes responsibility for planning, coordinating, and directing all production activities at the plant. As an integral member of the Plant Leadership Team, the Production Manager will manage the production team at the plant and work closely with the supporting departments such as Maintenance, Safety, Quality, Accounting, and Engineering to identify proactive ways to continuously improve plant production, including safety, quality, efficiency, and engagement/morale. This position requires problem-solving skills, supervisory skills, an exceptional grasp of the production process, and the ability to develop, engage and inspire teams. As the Production Manager focuses on process and retail packaging for one strategic customer, this role will have heightened responsibility for raw material and packaging coordination with Scheduling.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Actively participate on a high performing Plant Leadership Team to proactively lead the plant.
• Develop and lead a high performing Production Leadership Team across all shifts to actively engage production employees.
• For initial year - serve as VDF production lead for Tru-Fru and all supporting departments, customer, engineering design, and contractors for installation, commissioning, validation and start-up of equipment and processes. Work with HR on hiring, onboarding, and training, including work with Ops training for the development of all standard operating procedure (SOP) documentation.
• Oversee all frozen enrobing and associate retail packaging at the facility. Serve as main point of contact for all production Supervisors/Leads as well as Scheduling and Product Line for this strategic customer.
• Coordinate production activities with scheduling, purchasing, maintenance, quality, and safety to obtain optimum production and utilization of human resources, machines, and equipment.
• Create and maintain production schedules in concert with Product Line and Scheduling teams. Work closely with internal and external (customer) resources for scheduling and inbound materials movement.
• Champion Lean principles to ensure use of data to ensure problems are being effectively solved or escalated, and team is actively identifying and pursuing continuous improvement.
• Ensure that all safety procedures are followed. Work with the Plant Safety Coordinator to continually improve safety awareness, behavior and conditions.
• Ensure that all HAACP and GMP's are followed. Work with the Plant Quality Manager to continually improve product quality and food safety.
• Balance resources against new growth projects and efficiency of current items. Work with product development and research departments to work on new projects as needed.
• Work closely with FD Product Line Team and strategic customer to identify opportunities for improvement in planning, scheduling, and efficiency.
• Must demonstrate technical curiosity and willingness to work alongside the team at any time needed for new products, new machinery, or operator training.
• Coordinate with maintenance staff and contractors on the maintenance and repair of processing equipment or the building.
• Review production and operating reports/records. Resolve operational, manufacturing, and maintenance issues to ensure cost effectiveness and prevent operational delays.
• Track all productions and work with the Plant Controller to generate monthly reports for plant production.
• Continually work towards improving process efficiencies throughout the plant.
• Conduct all duties in an environmentally responsible manner.
• Ensure all HACCP, GMP, and BRC requirements are met.
• Perform any other duty as assigned.

JOB EXPERIENCE :

• 7+ years of related experience

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Management/Leadership skills.
• Developed listening, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Organizational and detail skills.
• Must be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.
• Must be a problem-solver who demonstrates good judgement.
• Familiarity with use of Lean manufacturing principles.
• Familiar with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and e-mail.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree in technical field.
• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) with additional relevant experience would be considered.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

WORKING CONDITIO