Ice Cream Production Manager

Ice Cream Plant
3955 Montgomery Rd.
Norwood, OH 45212, USA

The Production Manager is responsible for leading all aspects of day-to-day ice cream manufacturing operations, ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency. This role requires a strong floor presence, hands‑on leadership, and a commitment to accountability and continuous improvement.

• Maintain a visible, active presence on the production floor.
• Lead by example, fostering a culture of safety, quality, and accountability.
• Coach and mentor supervisors and hourly associates.

• Enforce plant safety rules, GMPs, PPE, and food safety regulations.
• Conduct audits and initiate corrective actions.
• Champion SQF and HACCP programs.
• Champion zero‑injury culture and food safety; verify pre‑op status, allergen controls, and sanitation releases.
• Ensure rapid product hold/positive release decisions with QA, close audit findings.

• Manage daily production schedules and minimize downtime.
• Chair the daily production meeting; align with Scheduling/Processing/Warehouse.
• Partner with Maintenance on PM/DM windows; prevent unplanned downtime.
• Own the production scoreboard and EOS roll‑ups.
• Support variance reviews (yields, scrap, materials) with Finance.
• Validate downtime coding accuracy; track labor vs. plan (OT, agency usage).
• Monitor KPIs: OEE, yield variance, schedule adherence.
• Ensure proper staffing and resource allocation.
• Translate the weekly/daily plan into hour‑by‑hour targets for each line; hold supervisors accountable.
• Direct start‑up readiness (1st) and shutdown/next‑day staging (2nd). Ensure FEFO material flow.
• Own co‑pack execution: spec adherence, packaging/artwork verification, lot segregation, changeover discipline, and customer communication.

• Partner with QA to maintain product standards.
• Implement corrective and preventive actions for quality issues.
• Assist with CAPA meetings; leading and giving input when needed.

• Drive Lean Manufacturing and 5S initiatives.
• Identify cost‑saving opportunities.
• Run weekly Top Loss reviews (downtime Pareto). Sponsor SMED kaizens.
• Drive reductions in start‑up scrap, micro‑stops, and rework.

• Conduct performance reviews and training.
• Hold supervisors accountable for team development.
• Partner with HR on staffing plans, attendance, progressive discipline, and retention.
• Co‑own a 90‑day training roadmap: target % cross‑trained by line/skill.

• High School Diploma/GED required
• Associates or bachelor’s degree preferred
• Four to Six years’ experience in a food production management role
• Ice Cream Manufacturing/frozen food production experience preferred
• Prior supervisory/management experience preferred

• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills, and possess the ability to present information to teams.
• Proven track record managing large teams and complex lines.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong team orientation.
• Focused on key ice cream manufacturing KPIs and financial performance; demonstrated ability to analyze team and operations to balance safety, efficiency, service and optimization.
• Ability to problem‑solve with various levels of complexity.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and attention-to-detail (strong tactical execution, project management).
• Ability to operate in a complex, rapidly changing environment while adhering to tight schedules.
• Strong organizational, problem‑solving and attention to detail skills are required.
• Must be well‑organized and able to coordinate multiple tasks and requests.
• Must be able to train as well as assess training needs for associates on the production floor.
• Knowledge of GMP, SQF, HACCP, OSHA.
• Flexible schedule for multiple shifts.

• Proficient in MS Office with a focus on Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point.
• Prior experience with Manufacturing Production Systems, tools and equipment (Douglas, Morrison, palletizing equipment) strongly preferred.
• Prior experience with ERP Systems (Sage software preferred).

• Ability to stand for extended periods in a production environment.
• Capability to lift up to 50 lbs. regularly.
• Ability to work in cold areas and adapt to temperature variations.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.