Assistant Plant Manager

Job Description

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced  Assistant Production Manager to help lead daily operations within our food manufacturing facility. This position partners closely with the Production Manager to oversee manufacturing operations, develop production teams, improve efficiencies, and ensure products consistently meet customer expectations and food safety requirements.

The Assistant Production Manager provides leadership across multiple production departments while promoting a culture focused on safety, quality, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. This role is ideal for an experienced manufacturing leader looking to advance within a growing food manufacturing organization.

Essential Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and develop production supervisors, line leads, and production employees.
• Assist with hiring, onboarding, coaching, and employee development.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure employees receive proper training in safety, food safety, quality, and equipment operation.
• Build a positive, performance-driven work environment.

Production Operations

• Oversee daily production activities to achieve safety, quality, productivity, and customer service goals.
• Coordinate production schedules and staffing.
• Improve operational efficiency while minimizing downtime and waste.
• Monitor production performance and implement process improvements.
• Coordinate activities with Quality, Maintenance, Warehouse, Scheduling, Procurement, and Sanitation.

Food Safety & Quality

• Ensure compliance with GMPs, SQF, HACCP, FDA regulations, and customer requirements.
• Monitor production processes to maintain product quality.
• Support investigations involving quality issues and customer complaints.
• Participate in internal and external audits.
• Promote a strong food safety culture throughout the organization.

Operational Leadership

• Analyze production data to improve performance.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate production records and reporting.
• Serve as acting Production Manager when necessary.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent manufacturing leadership experience.
• Minimum 5 years of food manufacturing experience.
• Previous supervisory or management experience required.
• Strong knowledge of GMPs, SQF, HACCP, OSHA, and FDA regulations.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office.
• Mechanically inclined with knowledge of manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Work Environment

This position works throughout a food manufacturing facility with exposure to moving machinery, production equipment, varying temperatures, and moderate noise. Required PPE must be worn while in production areas.

Physical Requirements

• Stand and walk for extended periods.
• Bend, climb, reach, and crouch throughout the workday.
• Lift up to 50 pounds.
• Move throughout multiple production departments daily.