Production Manager

Second Shift Production Manager

The Second Shift Production Manager leads production operations at the assigned NaturPak plant. This role is accountable for employee safety, food safety, product quality, staffing, production performance, and shift execution. The manager partners with Quality Assurance, Maintenance, Warehouse, and Sanitation to meet production schedules and maintain a clean, safe, and compliant operation.

CORE RESPONSIBILITY Lead a safe, accountable second shift that meets production targets, follows approved procedures, and escalates food safety and quality concerns immediately.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead second-shift supervisors, team leaders, and production employees, setting clear expectations and maintaining accountability.
• Execute the production schedule and adjust staffing and resources to meet production targets.
• Monitor throughput, downtime, waste, yield, and labor efficiency; address issues that prevent the shift from meeting goals.
• Enforce GMPs, food safety procedures, allergen controls, sanitation requirements, and employee safety policies.
• Verify that ingredients and packaging are approved for use, properly identified, protected, and within shelf life.
• Ensure production records, process checks, temperature logs, and traceability documentation are accurate and completed on time.
• Partner with QA to address process deviations and place affected product on hold when necessary. Ensure product disposition and release follow QA authorization.
• Conduct floor observations to verify standard work, housekeeping, equipment condition, and safe operating practices. Stop unsafe work and escalate food safety concerns immediately.
• Coordinate with Maintenance to resolve equipment failures and ensure repairs are completed safely.
• Manage attendance, employee assignments, training, coaching, and performance concerns in coordination with Human Resources.
• Ensure hourly production boards are updated and downtime reasons and corrective actions are documented.
• Lead shift handoffs covering production status, product holds, equipment issues, staffing, and outstanding actions.
• Coordinate production shutdowns and equipment turnover with Sanitation.
• Investigate recurring losses and implement corrective actions to improve shift performance.
• Provide a complete end-of-shift report to the Plant Manager.

Decision Authority And Escalation

• May stop unsafe work or production when employee safety, food safety, product quality, or equipment conditions are at risk.
• May adjust employee assignments and shift priorities within the approved production plan and staffing requirements.
• Must promptly escalate incidents, process deviations, product holds, and major equipment failures to the appropriate plant leaders.
• Final product disposition and release remain with authorized Quality personnel. Production targets do not override approved safety or quality requirements.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least three years of supervisory or management experience in food manufacturing.
• Working knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety practices.
• Experience managing production schedules, staffing, downtime, and performance metrics.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to make timely decisions, coach employees, and maintain accountability in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and production reporting systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in operations, manufacturing, food science, or a related field.
• Experience in a USDA- or FDA-regulated food manufacturing facility.
• HACCP certification, Lean manufacturing experience, or related training.
• Bilingual communication skills relevant to the facility workforce.

Physical Demands And Work Environment

• Regular presence on the production floor, including extended standing and walking.
• Work around operating machinery and in areas with varying temperatures, moisture, and noise.
• Required use of PPE and compliance with hygiene, sanitation, and food safety practices.
• Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Schedule Expectations

This position primarily works second shift. Flexibility is required for shift handoffs, overtime, weekends, and production needs. Exact hours will be communicated during the hiring process.

Measures Of Success

• Safe operations and consistent food safety compliance.
• Achievement of production schedules and quality requirements.
• Reduced downtime, waste, and avoidable labor losses.
• Accurate production records, effective shift handoffs, and consistent completion of standard work.