Flint Food Works Director — Production and Operations Manager

Position Summary

The Flint Food Works Operations Manager serves as the primary leader responsible for the day‑to‑day management, production oversight, and operational performance of the Flint Food Works Commercial Kitchen. The role directs all aspects of facility operations, including production scheduling, workflow design, quality control, and adherence to food safety and regulatory standards.

Embedded within Michigan State University Extension (MSU Extension) and the Community, Food and Environment Institute (CFEI), the Operations Manager will advance the mission of Flint Food Works to strengthen the local food economy. In partnership with the MSU Product Center, the manager will oversee the strategic and operational success of the commercial kitchen as a shared‑use facility, ensuring equipment, staffing, and systems are aligned to support early‑stage and scaling food entrepreneurs.

In addition to facility oversight, the manager will coordinate integrated, wrap‑around business support services for entrepreneurs across Genesee County, collaborating with MSU Extension educators and partner organizations to provide counseling, technical assistance, and connections to resources such as product development, food safety training, regulatory guidance, and market access.

Flint Food Works Director

• Direct and supervise the production of products in a manufacturing/production environment.
• Oversee production layout to provide optimal quality and product deliverables.
• Set up manufacturing lines to meet production and client needs.
• Assist clients in understanding the process of operating equipment to create product.
• Oversee and coordinate scheduling of production activities and client space use.
• Oversee billing and financial management of the facility.
• Communicate with clients on project deliverables and propose all processes available.
• Coordinate and schedule use of the commercial kitchen.
• Maintain policies and agreements, including communication and enforcement of kitchen use policies.
• Collect payments and ensure necessary equipment is available and operational when scheduled.
• Market commercial kitchen availability to potential customers and host tours as needed.
• Provide support for operations at Flint Food Works, including coordination with the Flint Farmers’ Market Manager.
• Coordinate Serv Safe classes as a certified Serv Safe Manager.
• Provide recipe and product coaching for scale‑up and provide ingredient substitution options and cost analysis.
• Coordinate wrap‑around food business support and counseling for interested entrepreneurs.
• Refer entrepreneur inquiries to MSU Product Center counselors when appropriate.
• Provide direct counseling to Flint Food Works and MSU Product Center clients, especially those looking to open brick‑and‑mortar establishments.
• Coordinate additional business development workshops with the MSU Product Center.
• Participate in MSU Product Center team meetings and statewide events as needed.
• Provide assistance at the MSU Food Processing Innovation Center (FPIC) to strengthen food processing knowledge as needed.
• Actively participate in professional development opportunities.
• Other duties or projects as assigned by the director of the MSU Product Center.

• Knowledge equivalent to that normally acquired by completing a four‑year college degree program in engineering, packaging, food science, business, or a related field.
• Five to eight years of related and progressively more responsible experience in production management, manufacturing plant management, or process management for a manufacturing facility.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Prior to completing the probationary period: knowledge of basic personal computer terminology and operations, and the ability to use e‑mail and the Internet.

• Bachelor’s degree in culinary education from an accredited culinary school.
• Serv Safe Manager certification.
• Experience in food service and/or community kitchen management.
• Sensitivity, knowledge, and use of appropriate approaches, skills, and techniques reflecting an understanding of diverse cultural and economic…