Production Facility Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Who We Are

At West Pak, being a family owned and operated company means, among other things, respect, integrity, support, and commitment to excellence. Our dedication starts with how we respect the land and the people who work it and carries over into the way in which we conduct all business. This same thoughtful care goes into how we handle our precious cargo. Our avocados are harvested at exactly the right time, packed to perfection, and delivered fresh for enjoyment worldwide.

The New Jersey Production Facility Manager serves as the acting Regional Plant Manager’s primary operational partner and a key member of the leadership team at our Swedesboro, NJ facility. Reporting directly to the Regional Plant Manager, this role supports in overseeing the Production, Shipping and Receiving, Bagging, and Ripening departments, and provides leadership continuity by overseeing facility operations when the Regional Plant Manager is at a different location.

This is a full-time, exempt position based onsite in Swedesboro, NJ.

Leadership support and coverage

• Serve as the Regional Plant Manager’s direct partner in running the facility, carrying out plant priorities and following through on assigned initiatives.
• Act as manager of the New Jersey facility in the Plant Manager’s absence, with full responsibility for daily operations, staffing decisions, and escalations.
• Keep the Regional Plant Manager informed of operational issues, performance trends, and personnel matters, and recommend solutions.
• Represent the facility in cross-site and corporate meetings as delegated.

Operations

• Coordinate plant activities with internal departmental supervisors to ensure packaging objectives are accomplished in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Work closely with quality personnel to review product consistency, monitoring results to identify trends and areas of improvement.
• Review established production schedules and standard operating procedures for the Production and Bagging departments.
• Coordinate with HR to hire, train, and deploy warehouse personnel.
• Monitor operations expenses and research ways to reduce costs while maintaining product quality.
• Support the Plant Manager in developing and controlling profits, plans, and the department budget.
• Analyze workforce requirements for all warehouse departments and allocate direct production employees to attain established goals.
• Establish and monitor department performance against production and quality standards.
• Provide direction, development, leadership, and training to supervisors and staff to accomplish company goals and objectives.
• Maintain shop floor organization and plant cleanliness among production staff.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, removing waste and constraints from the production process to improve efficiency and productivity.
• Assist with and successfully complete operations-related project management activities.
• Assist with and successfully implement new value-added programs within the warehouse.
• Maintain a working understanding of packaging equipment such as sizer lines and bagging equipment.

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in business or a related field preferred but not required.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a management or supervisory leadership role at a production, packing, or distribution facility.
• Fresh produce, perishables, or food manufacturing experience strongly preferred.

• Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred
• Competency in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Excellent verbal and written communication and follow-through skills
• Excellent math and problem-solving skills
• Attention to detail and a desire to produce high-quality work
• Good time management and organizational skills
• Ability to deliver results under challenging deadlines
• Ability to step into the lead role with confidence and make sound decisions when the Plant Manager is unavailable
• Ability to operate both autonomously and as part of a wider collaborative team
• Ability to multitask and work well under pressure

The essential functions of this job require frequent standing, walking, and upper body movements. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. Must be able to have full repetitive use of both hands and fingers (simple grasping).

Physical demands include bending, stooping, and reaching above and below shoulder level. Lifting and carrying are also essential. The employee will also be in contact with chemical products and machinery.

Additionally, the incumbent will work near moving mechanical parts, stacks, and pallets and may be exposed to high places and surfaces. The noise level in the work environment is usually high. The incumbent may be exposed to situations in which occasional lifting may be involved (up to 80 lbs.), with or without assistance. There will be exposure to working in a hot or cold environment from 38&degree;F–60&degree;F, and frequent exposure to hot or wet (humid) locations.

The annual salary range for this position is $80,000 – $100,000. Placement within the range depends on experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

West Pak offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) retirement plan with company match; paid time off and paid holidays; life and disability insurance; employee assistance program. This position is also eligible for an annual performance review and West Pak’s bonus programs.

West Pak Avocado, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.