Production Manager

Dairy Farmers of America - Portland, OR

Full-time - Mid Level

Portland, OR

Food Manufacturing

About the position

The position involves managing production activities to ensure efficient and profitable operations within the facility. The role requires providing work direction and supervision to production supervisors and employees, adhering to standard work rules, union contract provisions (if applicable), and employment policies. The successful candidate will oversee the daily management of various departments, ensuring that all company, regulatory, safety, and quality requirements and initiatives are understood and followed by both supervision and production employees. Additionally, the role includes assisting in the formulation of plant objectives, policies, and plans, as well as resolving issues in a timely manner. Key responsibilities include managing daily operational activities of supervisors and production staff to ensure customer orders are received, scheduled, and produced at the lowest possible cost while maintaining established safety and quality standards. The candidate will analyze operations and key metrics to ensure that the facility maintains high quality and safety standards, proactively looking for ways to increase operational efficiency and contain costs. It is essential to develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures for all operational activities and report deficiencies to plant leadership while identifying and resolving operational issues. The position also involves assisting in the development and implementation of safety programs, ensuring that all regulations and company policies are understood and followed by supervisors and production employees. Conducting meetings with department management to communicate essential policies, plans, or problems affecting operations, employee relations, and general company information is a critical aspect of the role. The candidate will monitor inventory levels for supplies and equipment, initiate or approve purchases as appropriate, and prepare reports and records for management review. Managing assigned employees includes recruitment, supervision, scheduling, development, evaluation, and performance management. The candidate must understand and effectively apply work rules, union contract provisions (if applicable), and employment policies, administering discipline consistently and fairly. Active communication with employees through shift meetings and informal methods is necessary to maintain and promote positive employee relations in the work environment. The candidate will also be responsible for maintaining safe working conditions for employees and ensuring compliance with all company, state, and federal regulations regarding health and safety issues. Following all DFA good manufacturing practices (GMP) and working in a manner consistent with all company regulatory, food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements is essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operational activities of supervisors and production staff to ensure customer orders are received, scheduled, and produced at the lowest possible cost.
• Analyze operations and key metrics to ensure that the facility maintains high quality and safety standards.
• Proactively look for ways to increase operational efficiency and contain costs.
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures for all operational activities.
• Report deficiencies to plant leadership and identify and resolve operational issues.
• Assist in the development and implementation of safety programs.
• Ensure that all regulations and company policies are understood and followed by supervisors and production employees.
• Conduct meetings with department management to communicate essential policies, plans, or problems affecting operations.
• Monitor inventory levels for supplies and equipment and initiate or approve purchases as appropriate.
• Prepare reports and records for management review.
• Manage assigned employees, including recruitment, supervision, scheduling, development, evaluation, and performance management.
• Administer discipline consistently and fairly.
• Work with Human Resources and plant management to resolve employee grievances.
• Maintain and promote positive employee relations in the work environment.
• Maintain safe working conditions for employees and compliance with all company, state and federal regulations regarding health and safety issues.

Requirements

• Proven experience in production management or a related field.
• Strong understanding of operational efficiency and cost containment strategies.
• Ability to analyze key metrics and implement improvements.
• Experience in developing and maintaining Standard Operating Procedures.
• Knowledge of safety regulations and company policies.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage employee relations and resolve grievances effectively.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in a unionized environment.
• Familiarity with food safety and sanitation requirements.
• Certification in safety management or related fields.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.
• 401k retirement savings plan.
• Paid holidays and vacation time.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.