Area Production Manager - Ready Mix (Durham, NC)

Job Description

Job Description

Area Production Manager — Ready Mix

Department:

Concrete

Reports To:

Operations Manager/General Manager

Location:

As Assigned

FLSA Status:

Exempt (Not Eligible for Overtime) — This position is classified as Exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act, meaning the incumbent is not eligible for overtime compensation based on the executive and administrative nature of the role.

Schedule:

Full-time; schedule varies based on operational demands across assigned area

Supervisory Responsibility:

This position carries supervisory responsibility for Concrete Plant Managers and all operations personnel within the assigned area, including authority over hiring, performance management, coaching, disciplinary documentation, and timekeeping approval.

Compensation Grade:

TBD — Pending Compensation Grade Structure

Position Summary

The Area Production Manager — Ready Mix is responsible for the comprehensive oversight of all concrete batch plant operations, personnel, and equipment within an assigned geographic area. This position provides direct supervision to Concrete Plant Managers and serves as the primary operational leader ensuring productivity, regulatory compliance, and alignment with corporate goals and objectives. The Area Production Manager acts as a strategic partner to Sales, Dispatch, Safety, and support departments to deliver consistent, high-quality service to customers while maintaining safe, efficient, and cost-effective plant operations. This role carries significant organizational impact through its direct influence on workforce development, fleet and plant integrity, environmental compliance, and the advancement of total quality and continuous improvement initiatives.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The following duties are considered essential functions of this position. Other duties may be assigned.

• Oversees all batch plant operations and operations personnel within the assigned area, providing direct supervision to Concrete Plant Managers and ensuring consistent adherence to company standards and objectives.
• Establishes and enforces plant-wide safety protocols and company safety programs in compliance with OSHA, DOT, FMCSR, and all applicable local, state, and federal environmental regulations; conducts regular inspections and corrective action follow-through, and cooperates with the Director of Health and Safety to ensure all operations and activities are performed in a consistently safe manner.
• Recruits, hires, trains, develops, and motivates employees at all levels within the assigned area, conducting performance appraisals, coaching sessions, and counseling documentation in accordance with company policy and established timelines.
• Approves all employee time and hours for the assigned area on a regular basis, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable labor policies and wage and hour regulations.
• Develops, implements, and monitors operational strategies for the assigned area in alignment with corporate goals, coordinating personnel and resources to optimize productivity and overall plant performance.
• Monitors active job sites to ensure operations are progressing safely, efficiently, and in accordance with project specifications and timelines.
• Ensures all fleet vehicles and plant equipment within the assigned area are maintained in safe, clean, and efficient operating condition, overseeing routine mechanical inspections and preventative maintenance programs for all production plants.
• Collaborates with Sales and Dispatch to service customer accounts by addressing operational concerns, providing technical advice and assistance, and resolving complaints and inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
• Cooperates with the Human Resources Department in the consistent implementation of all company policies, procedures, and workforce initiatives across the assigned area.
• Participates in the alignment of performance measures to company goals and contributes recommendations for process improvements, operational efficiencies, and strategic initiatives.
• Monitors and ensures the timely, cost-effective delivery of employee training and development programs throughout the assigned area, partnering with the Training Department and external resources as needed.
• Maintains personal professional development by benchmarking with peer organizations, staying current on industry trends, regulatory changes, and best practices in concrete production and operations management.
• Promotes and sustains a culture of high morale, teamwork, and total quality throughout the assigned area through the consistent application of sound leadership principles and inclusive management practices.
• Wears all required personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times in applicable work environments and follows established protocols for the safe handling of cement, chemical admixtures, fuel, and other hazardous materials.
• Ensures that all company-owned driver personnel (CDPs) return to their designated locations at the conclusion of each workday and maintains accountability for area fleet movement and positioning.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of experience in the concrete or ready-mix industry is preferred.
• Prior managerial or supervisory experience in an operations environment.
• Proven leadership, training, and employee motivation skills, with strong interpersonal abilities and the capacity to build effective working relationships across all organizational levels.
• Proficient written and verbal communication skills, solid mathematical ability, and the ability to conduct and interpret advanced statistical analysis in support of operational decision-making.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, tablet-based platforms, and the ability to learn and operate company-specific dispatching and fleet management systems.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills, with the ability to balance tactical responsibilities and strategic priorities, identify problems, and implement timely and effective solutions.
• Ability to handle all aspects of work with a high level of confidentiality and professionalism.
• Working knowledge of all applicable county, state, and federal regulations pertaining to health, safety, and the environment.
• Valid Driver's License.

Preferred Qualifications

• Thorough understanding of the operation and maintenance of ready-mix concrete plants and associated equipment.
• State Certified Concrete Technician credential.
• NRMCA Concrete Plant Manager Certification.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent required; a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field is preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.

Work Environment

Condition

✔

Indoor/Outdoor


Work time is divided between office-based and field-based settings across assigned plant locations.

✔

Dust Exposure


Regular exposure to airborne dust and particulate matter in field and plant environments.

✔

Chemical Exposure


Regular contact with concrete, chemical admixtures, truck cleaning agents, lubricating grease, and oil.

✔

Fumes and Odors


Periodic exposure to fumes and offensive odors associated with plant and fleet operations.

✔

Moving Mechanical Parts


Frequent close proximity to moving mechanical parts associated with batch plant and fleet equipment.

Noise Level

Level

✔

Moderate