Production Manager

Overview

Responsible for delivering performance targets in Safety, Quality, Cost, and Efficiency within the assigned production area across multiple shifts. Lead and develop the line team to achieve and sustain operational excellence through effective coaching, continuous improvement initiatives, and adherence to company standards. Build organizational capability to drive and maintain improvements in performance and efficiency.

Responsibilities

Position Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Leadership & Vision
• Lead and motivate the line team (1st and 2nd shift) to meet and exceed performance standards in Safety, Quality, Cost and Efficiency.
• Specific leadership and oversight provided to 1st shift team.
• Team Manager I on 2nd shift will report to Team Manager II on 1st shift.
• Communicate clear expectations regarding operational standards, ensuring alignment with company policies and goals.
• Develop and execute daily, weekly, and monthly production plans, ensuring alignment with broader site and corporate goals.
• Conduct regular team meetings to align priorities, address challenges, and recognize achievements.
• Provide coaching and feedback to all team members to drive accountability and high performance Operations Excellence
• Oversee daily production activities, ensuring smooth line operation and quick resolution of any production issues.
• Identify opportunities for operational improvement and lead initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce waste.
• Ensure adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), and company safety policies.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to Safety, Quality, Cost and Efficiency and implement corrective actions where necessary.
• Drive adherence to operational standards and continuous improvement frameworks (e.g., Autonomous Maintenance, Focused Improvement).
• Financial Management
• Develop and manage the budget for the production line, ensuring cost control and optimal resource utilization.
• Track financial performance weekly and monthly; analyze variances and adjust plans as needed to meet financial targets.
• Identify cost reduction opportunities through improved operational efficiency and waste reduction.
• Talent & Organizational Development
• Build a high-performing team by recruiting, training, and developing the line Team Manager I and hourly team members.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Provide coaching and development opportunities to team members to enhance skills and promote career growth.
• Lead cross-functional training to ensure team versatility and flexibility in managing production demands.
• Ensure Team Manager I and hourly team proficiency in key tools and systems, including:
  • Loss Analysis & Gap Analysis
  • Centerlines
  • Small Work Teams (Natural Work Teams)
  • Autonomous Maintenance
  • Focused Improvement
  • Root Cause and Corrective Action Systems
  • STPD (Standardized Problem Solving) tool
• Collaboration & Strategic Partnerships:
• Collaborate with site leadership, maintenance, engineering, and quality teams to identify and resolve production challenges.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to implement new processes, equipment, and product launches.
• Act as the primary point of contact for production-related issues, ensuring alignment with broader plant objectives.
• Engage in strategic planning with site leaders to ensure long-term operational successLeadership & Vision
• Lead and motivate the production line team to meet and exceed performance standards in Safety, Quality, Cost and Efficiency within the designated work area(s) on multiple shifts.
• Direct leadership and oversight to assigned production line(s).
• Developing and coaching Team Manager I positions across various shifts, including performance management professional development plans and goal setting.
• Oversee all production activities across multiple shifts on one line or multiple lines, ensuring the safe, timely and efficient manufacturing of food products.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and lower operational costs.
• Troubleshoot and resolve operational issues, from equipment failures to workflow bottlenecks.
• Communicate clear expectations regarding operational standards, ensuring alignment with company policies and goals.
• Develop and execute daily, weekly, and monthly production plans, ensuring alignment with broader site and
• corporate goals.
• Conduct regular team meetings to align priorities, address challenges, and recognize achievements.
• Provide coaching and feedback to all team members to drive accountability and high performance.
• Operations Excellence
• Oversee daily production activities, ensuring smooth line operation and quick resolution of any production issues.
• Identify opportunities for operational improvement and lead initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce waste.
• Ensure adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), and company safety policies.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to Safety, Quality, Cost and Efficiency and implement corrective actions where necessary.
• Drive adherence to operational standards and continuous improvement frameworks (e.g., Autonomous Maintenance, Focused Improvement).
• Financial Management
• Develop and manage the budget for the production line, ensuring cost control and optimal resource utilization.
• Track financial performance weekly and monthly; analyze variances and adjust plans as needed to meet financial targets.
• Identify cost reduction opportunities through improved operational efficiency and waste reduction.
• Talent & Organizational Development
• Build a high-performing team by recruiting, training, and developing the Team Manager I and hourly team members.
• Foster a culture of leading with Company Purpose and Values, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Provide coaching and development opportunities to team members to enhance skills and promote career growth.
• Lead cross-functional training to ensure team versatility and flexibility in managing production demands.
• Ensure Team Manager I and hourly team proficiency in key tools and systems, including:
• o Loss Analysis & Gap Analysis
• o Centerlines
• o Small Work Teams (Natural Work Teams)
• o Autonomous Maintenance
• o Focused Improvement
• o Root Cause and Corrective Action Systems
• o STPD (Standardized Problem Solving) tool
• Collaboration & Strategic Partnerships:
• Collaborate with site leadership, maintenance, engineering, and quality teams to identify and resolve production challenges.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to implement new processes, equipment, and product launches.
• Act as the primary point of contact for production-related issues, ensuring alignment with broader plant objectives.
• Engage in strategic planning with site leaders to ensure long-term operational success.
• #INDOAK

Qualifications

Position Qualifications

An equivalent combination of experience and education will also be considered.
Education
Education Level Description

• 2 Year / Associate Degree
• Minimum Associate of Science degree in a STEM field (Engineering, Food Science, Technology, Math, etc.) required.
• Preferred Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM field or active enrollment in a STEM degree program.
• Experience in lieu of degree will be considered.

Experience
Minimum Years of Experience Comments

• 4 to 6 years
• Minimum of 4 years of manufacturing experience in a leadership role, preferably in the food industry.
• Preferred minimum of 2 years of AFNA manufacturing experience in a leadership role.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated Proficiencies
• Multiple examples of delivering performance improvement in Safety, Quality, Cost and Efficiency.
• Multiple examples of building organizational capabilities (team skill proficiency improvements, team promotions)
• Multiple examples of solving issues to root cause and eliminating recurrence.
• Multiple examples of deploying improvement tools and frameworks (TPM, Lean, Six Sigma).
• Preferred Proficiencies
• Deploying and Maintaining GMP, HACCP, and food safety regulations
• Other
• Must be willing and able to relocate for promotional opportunities.

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. (AFNA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. AFNA does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis protected by stated, federal, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions for this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.