Production Manager (Dairy/Food/Bev)

Dairy Farmers of America - Athens, GA

Full-time - Mid Level

Athens, GA

10,001+ employees

Food Manufacturing

About the position

Mayfield Dairy Farms, a farmer-owned brand of Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), is seeking a Production Manager for a rotating shift schedule from Sunday to Saturday. This role is crucial in managing production activities to ensure efficient and profitable operations. The Production Manager will provide work direction and supervision to production supervisors and employees, adhering to standard work rules, union contract provisions, and employment policies. The position involves overseeing daily management across various departments, ensuring compliance with company, regulatory, safety, and quality requirements. The Production Manager will assist in formulating plant objectives, policies, and plans while resolving issues in a timely manner. In this role, the Production Manager will manage daily operational activities, ensuring that customer orders are received, scheduled, and produced at the lowest possible cost while maintaining established safety and quality standards. The manager will analyze operations and key metrics to uphold high quality and safety standards, proactively seeking ways to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs. Additionally, the Production Manager will ensure that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are developed and maintained for all operational activities, reporting deficiencies to plant leadership and identifying operational issues for resolution. The role also includes conducting meetings with department management to communicate essential policies, plans, or problems affecting operations and employee relations. The Production Manager will maintain preparation for and participate in plant inspections by authorized agencies, monitor inventory levels for supplies and equipment, and prepare reports for management review. Furthermore, the manager will oversee assigned employees, including recruitment, supervision, scheduling, development, evaluation, and performance management, while promoting positive employee relations and maintaining safe working conditions in compliance with all regulations.

Responsibilities

• Manage production activities to ensure efficient and profitable operations.
• Provide work direction and supervision to production supervisors and employees.
• Oversee daily management of various departments ensuring compliance with company, regulatory, safety, and quality requirements.
• Assist in the formulation of plant objectives, policies, and plans.
• Resolve operational issues in a timely manner.
• Direct personnel activities such as recruitment, hiring, performance evaluations, and salary adjustments.
• Manage daily operational activities to ensure customer orders are received, scheduled, and produced at the lowest possible cost.
• Analyze operations and key metrics to maintain high quality and safety standards.
• Ensure that Standard Operating Procedures are developed and maintained for all operational activities.
• Report deficiencies to plant leadership and identify operational issues.
• Assist in the development and implementation of safety programs.
• Conduct meetings with department management to communicate essential policies and plans.
• Maintain preparation for and participate in plant inspections by authorized agencies.
• Monitor inventory levels for supplies and equipment and initiate or approve purchases.
• Prepare reports and records for management review.
• Manage assigned employees, including recruitment, supervision, scheduling, development, evaluation, and performance management.
• Work with Human Resources to resolve employee grievances.
• Maintain and promote positive employee relations in the work environment.
• Ensure compliance with all company, state, and federal regulations regarding health and safety issues.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Undergraduate degree in related curriculum preferred.
• 5 to 8 years' experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably food and/or beverage manufacturing.
• Supervisory or management experience.
• Certification and/or License may be required during the course of employment.
• Solid knowledge of manufacturing process flow and its importance.
• Solid knowledge of continuous improvement models.
• Skill in leadership and coaching; knowledge of principles and practices of supervision, training, and personnel management.
• Knowledge of and skill with Microsoft Office Suite and company computer systems.
• Skill in critical thinking, analysis, mathematical calculations, and statistical evaluations.
• Ability to work collaboratively and foster good teamwork.
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact positively with others.
• Ability to think independently and organize multiple tasks and information.
• Demonstrated initiative and follow-through on responsibilities.
• Ability to find solutions to problems and present options for current processes.
• Ability to handle challenging situations with tact and professionalism.
• Ability to communicate effectively with various levels of personnel.
• Ability to respond courteously and efficiently to inquiries, complaints, and requests.
• Ability to interpret and apply company policies.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak English.

Benefits

• Health and Welfare benefits begin 1st of the month after start date
• 401(k) with company contribution - 100% vested at day one of eligibility
• Competitive pay
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Career growth opportunities - we promote from within!
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits
• Service recognition and employee rewards
• Employee referral program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Work for dairy farm families