Production Manager

Who We Are

Koppert Biological Systems is the worldwide market leader in integrated pest management and disease management. Koppert stands at the forefront of sustainable agriculture, having been founded in 1967 by visionary Dutch grower Jan Koppert. Our mission is to make agriculture healthier, safer, and more productive by partnering with nature. We achieve this through the use of natural enemies to combat pests, employing bumblebees for pollination, and leveraging microbials and bio stimulants to support, protect, and strengthen crops.

With a clear vision of achieving 100% sustainable agriculture, we collaborate with growers, partners, universities, research institutions, and governmental bodies globally to meet the highest food safety demands while contributing to the better health of people and the planet.

Your Role

At Koppert, we are dedicated to fostering a sustainable world, working in harmony with nature, and putting our people at the core of this mission. As our Production Manager, you will play a key role in ensuring that our production processes are efficient, sustainable, and aligned with our company's values and goals. Your leadership will be essential in optimizing production operations and maintaining high-quality standards.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced individual to lead our production operations in Oxnard, California. The Production Manager will be responsible for building and guiding a growing team, overseeing production expansion for new biological product lines, and ensuring all processes meet rigorous customer guidelines, USDA standards, and safety regulations. In this role, they will also oversee the inventory, packaging, and shipping of live biological products.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Team Leadership & Development:
  Recruit, train, and manage a skilled and dedicated production team. Conduct regular performance evaluations, provide timely feedback, and foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Production Process Management:
  Direct and monitor all aspects of live product preparation, packaging, and shipping to meet customer, USDA, and internal quality standards. Identify and implement improvements in production workflow, packaging efficiency, and shipping logistics.
• Lean Process Improvement:
  Champion problem-solving initiatives and use Lean principles to optimize production metrics. Continuously seek opportunities to improve production efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance product quality.
• Quality & Compliance:
  Create standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work with the Quality Department to audit and maintain process consistency. Ensure all activities comply with quality standards, and address process variances proactively. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local safety and health regulations.
• Production Planning & Expansion:
  Oversee capacity and production planning to ensure on-time delivery and customer satisfaction, with a focus on expanding production capabilities for new biological products. Develop scalable processes and ensure the facility is prepared to meet future demand.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  
  Partner with other departments, including maintenance, logistics, sales, and quality assurance, to support facility needs and coordinate activities across teams.
• Equipment & Maintenance:
  Coordinate with the maintenance team to ensure preventive maintenance schedules are followed for process safety and equipment reliability.
• Training & Cross-Training:
  Plan, initiate, and assist in training production employees on standard operating procedures, fostering a cross-trained workforce that can adapt to changing production needs.
• Inventory & Waste Management:
  Monitor inventory to align with forecast versus sales and manage waste reduction efforts to minimize scrap.
• Safety & Health Standards:
  Develop and implement safety procedures, ensuring a safe working environment for all employees. Address…