Production Manager

Location: Buckner

Winland Foods is seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead manufacturing operations and drive operational excellence in a fast-paced food production environment. This leadership role is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the manufacturing team, developing a culture of accountability and ownership, and ensuring the safe, efficient, and cost-effective production of high-quality products.

The Production Manager will oversee both hourly and salaried team members, manage production performance through key operational metrics, and partner cross-functionally with all Leadership teams to optimize productivity, improve equipment effectiveness, and support continuous improvement initiatives. This position plays a critical role in maintaining food safety, regulatory compliance, employee engagement, and overall operational success.

Employee Type:

Full time

Location:

KY Buckner Job Type:Production Operations Job Posting

Title:

Production Manager

Job Description:

Schedule:

1st shift Monday
- Friday with flexibility as needed to meet plant needs including night and weekend hours

Work Location:

1 Quality Place, Buckner, KY 40010

Benefits:
Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with match, STD/LTD/AD&D/Life, HSA, FSA, EAP, Hospital indemnity, Accident Insurance, Identity and Fraud Protection Plan, Legal, and Critical Illness.

Salary, based on experience and other qualifications: $93k -$138k annually with additional bonus potential

Duties & Responsibilities Establish leadership and set the strategic direction for the manufacturing team. Ensures necessary plans area in place to deliver the required business results while developing a culture of ownership and accountability.

Manages team of both hourly and exempt employees

Interpret safety policies/practices to employees including enforcing safe work practices.

Manage a staff of direct reports through regular performance reviews and developmental activities to ensure movement toward a high performance / high engagement organization, while assuring effective departmental performance.

Utilize available data (line speed target, set-up guidelines, and efficiency and process data) to continuously improve productivity, uptime and reliability. Utilize the above information as a tool to improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and product cost.

Set clear priorities and align resources to deliver against business and regulatory requirements in the areas of cost, financial controls, and quality, safety and business initiatives.

Manage product quality by understanding and communicating customer needs to employees and ensuring expectations are consistently met and according to standard work.

Determine schedules, sequences and assignments for work activities based on work priority, quantity of equipment and skill of personnel.

Diagnose equipment, ingredients and packaging issues. Coordinate with Engineering, Maintenance or others as appropriate to solve production-related problems.

Ensure each manufacturing area is maintained in accordance with SQF standards.

Ensure security of employees, facilities and information systems by following and enforcing established security procedures.

Ensure clear and concise communication to all levels in the organization.

Ensure regular safety inspections are conducted in all manufacturing areas.

Must be able to drive improvements in manufacturing processes. Must be able to put new systems and procedures in place while instilling accountability and ownership in a rapidly changing environment.

Supports Continuous Improvement projects through the practice of Root Cause Analysis, and other management operating systems, etc.

Perform other duties as assigned. This position can involve weekend and on call  the absence of the Plant Manager, the Production Manager may assume the responsibilities of that role.

Knowledge, Training and

Experience:

5+ years of manufacturing experience, with a minimum three years of experience in a management capacity OR equivalent combination of education and experience, Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Food manufacturing experience is strongly preferred.

Effective listener and team player.

Strong knowledge of food manufacturing, FDA/USDA, OSHA and EPA regulations desired.

Able to work effectively with others, have good interpersonal and leadership skills.

Strong organizational and time management skills.

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

Highly organized, critical thinker able to multi-task.

Able to work well under pressure in a fast-paced…