Production Manager; 1st Shift

At Richelieu Foods, we are dedicated to a culture of belonging for everyone. Driven by our values of ownership, respect, and growth, we put people, safety, and quality above all else — delicious pizza, outstanding service, and solid customer relationships are what happens as a result!

Richelieu Foods, Inc. is a leading national private label and contract packing food manufacturer focused on frozen pizza. We have two manufacturing facilities located in IL and WI. We provide products to many national retailers, wholesalers, distributors, club and mass stores, as well as industrial accounts including other food manufacturers.

The Production Manager (1st Shift) is responsible for all activities related to safety, quality, delivery, cost, and morale associated with multiple lines within a single factory on a single shift. This position reports to the Sr. Production Manager and typically has 1 Leader (Production Supervisor) per line reporting to them, along with up to 100 operators and general laborers. This position involves direct support of operations activities and requires spending significant amounts of time in and around factory areas.

This individual must be capable and willing to work extended hours (when required) in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment. The ideal candidate will possess the demonstrated skills and experience necessary to perform in both manufacturing and technical leadership roles.

The Production Manager will be tasked to define clear operational schedules, priorities, and goals for the lines. This person will lead, collaborate, and influence other functional managers and all employees to allow for continuous manufacturing flow, optimal production output, cost reductions, compliance, strategy and be accountable for cost, schedule, capital, strategy, employee hiring and proposals.

This position is located in our Wheeling pizza manufacturing plant. The hours are 1st Shift!

• Be a Safety role model for the Operations Team with a Safety-First mindset and lead with a relentless drive to eliminate risk in every aspect of the operation. This leadership should be visible by demonstration in action and not merely in word.
• Lead as a Champion of Quality ensuring that the principles of Quality Assurance are never compromised by other priorities. This includes being an active participant to prepare and participate in any Quality audits including, but not limited to SQF, USDA, FDA, Organic, or customer audits.
• Work closely with the Manufacturing Manager to develop and execute an operations strategy that will meet or exceed business goals. This includes leading the development of a weekly plan to improve line performance and/or close gaps in performance through focused activities.
• Own the auditing of line costs. Develop and execute a plan to bring spending inside budget ranges.
• Provide effective leadership coordination and communication to ensure alignment of employees across multiple shift operations.
• Lead Root Cause Analysis of chronic issues and assign responsibility for corrective actions.
• Identifies and leads projects to deliver specific improvements to key company metrics.
• Actively work with the Manufacturing Manager to ensure that assets are properly managed and maintained.
• Provide leadership in the event of a facility emergency. Assess the situation and ensure appropriate measures are being implemented to control the emergency. In crisis situations, initiate the appropriate contact with upper management.
• Support the training and development of employees to ensure continued factory growth, effective operation and to minimize need for direct supervision. Promotes cross-training by driving the internal transfer process.
• Maintain a positive work environment to promote safety, housekeeping, and human relations.
• Ensure adherence to federal, state, and local laws, corporate policies, and facility policies.

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience and minimum 6 years prior relevant experience in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations or like industry, or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 3 years’ experience in…