Production Manager

ob Title: Food Production Manager
Location: Dallas, TX
Employment Type: Full-Time
Department: Production / Operations
Reports To: Plant Manager / Director of Operations

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Food Production Manager to oversee daily manufacturing and production operations within a food production facility. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in the food industry, with expertise in production planning, food safety, quality control, team leadership, and operational efficiency.

This role is responsible for ensuring that food products are manufactured safely, consistently, and efficiently while meeting production schedules, quality standards, regulatory requirements, and cost objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Production Management: Oversee daily food production activities, ensuring production targets, schedules, and delivery commitments are met.
• Production Planning: Coordinate production schedules, labor allocation, raw material availability, and equipment utilization to maximize productivity.
• Food Safety & Compliance: Ensure compliance with FDA regulations, applicable USDA requirements, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HACCP, and relevant food safety standards.
• Quality Assurance: Work closely with the Quality Assurance team to maintain product quality, consistency, sanitation standards, and food safety protocols.
• Team Leadership: Supervise, train, and develop production supervisors, line leaders, operators, and other production personnel.
• Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve production efficiency, reduce waste, minimize downtime, and optimize manufacturing costs.
• Inventory & Materials: Monitor raw materials, packaging supplies, work-in-progress, and finished goods to support uninterrupted production.
• Equipment & Maintenance: Coordinate preventive maintenance and troubleshooting with maintenance teams to minimize equipment downtime.
• Sanitation & Hygiene: Ensure compliance with cleaning schedules, sanitation procedures, allergen controls, and personal hygiene requirements.
• Documentation & Reporting: Maintain accurate production records, batch documentation, traceability records, yield reports, and performance metrics.
• Safety Management: Enforce workplace safety procedures and ensure employees follow established operating standards.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, Warehouse, Maintenance, and other departments to achieve operational goals.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.
• 3–5+ years of experience in food manufacturing or food production, including supervisory or management experience.
• Strong knowledge of food safety regulations, GMP, HACCP principles, sanitation, and quality control procedures.
• Experience managing production teams in a food processing, packaged food, bakery, dairy, meat processing, ready-to-eat, or similar manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage production schedules, labor planning, yields, and manufacturing costs.
• Experience with production reporting, inventory management, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and production or ERP/MRP systems.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment and accommodate production-related scheduling needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• HACCP certification or recognized food safety training.
• Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification, where applicable.
• Experience with FDA-regulated food manufacturing and, where applicable, USDA-regulated facilities.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, 5S, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience with food safety audits, customer audits, regulatory inspections, and corrective action plans.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Production output and schedule adherence.
• Product quality, yield, and waste reduction.
• Food safety and regulatory compliance.
• Labor productivity and overtime management.
• Equipment uptime and production efficiency.
• Inventory accuracy and material utilization.
• Employee safety, training, and retention.
• Continuous improvement and cost reduction.

Work Environment

This position is based at a food production or manufacturing facility in Dallas, Texas. The role may require working in temperature-controlled production areas, exposure to manufacturing equipment, and compliance with food safety, sanitation, and personal protective equipment requirements.

The position may require standing or walking for extended periods and occasional flexibility in working hours based on production schedules.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. Benefits may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• Retirement savings plan, where offered.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• Additional company-sponsored benefits.

Pay: $75,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person