<p>SUMMARY</p> <p>The Food Production Manager is responsible for overseeing daily Protein production operations within a high-volume food manufacturing facility. This role ensures that all Protein cooking, handling, and processing activities are executed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements.</p> <p>The Food Production Manager provides hands-on leadership to plant-floor teams, manages industrial Protein cooking and production processes, and drives performance across quality, yield, labor efficiency, and food safety metrics. This role partners closely with Production, Quality, R&D, and Sanitation teams to support operational readiness, product integrity, and continuous improvement within the Culinary Services division.</p> <p>ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND DUTIES</p> <p>Protein Production & Operations Oversight</p> <ul> <li>Oversee daily Protein manufacturing operations to ensure timely, accurate, and efficient production. </li><li>Ensure Protein products are prepared according to approved recipes, batch specifications, weights, and yields. </li><li>Monitor cooking, cooling, and handling processes to ensure consistency, quality, and food safety compliance. </li><li>Coordinate with Production leadership to align output with production schedules and demand forecasts. </li></ul> <p>Workforce Leadership & Training</p> <ul> <li>Supervise, train, and develop Protein manufacturing staff on plant-floor operations. </li><li>Ensure team members are properly trained on industrial cooking, processing, and packaging equipment. </li><li>Monitor performance and provide coaching, feedback, and corrective action as needed. </li><li>Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement. </li></ul> <p>Food Safety, Quality & Regulatory Compliance</p> <ul> <li>Enforce strict adherence to HACCP, USDA, food safety, and sanitation standards. </li><li>Ensure proper Protein handling, storage, labeling, and documentation practices are consistently followed. </li><li>Maintain audit readiness and support internal, customer, and regulatory audits. </li><li>Partner with Quality Assurance to address deviations, corrective actions, and preventive measures. </li></ul> <p>Performance Management & Cost Control</p> <ul> <li>Track and manage key performance indicators, including yield, labor efficiency, and waste reduction. </li><li>Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency without compromising food safety or quality. </li><li>Support labor planning and staffing adjustments based on production needs. </li></ul> <p>Equipment & Process Coordination</p> <ul> <li>Ensure safe and proper operation of industrial cooking and Protein processing equipment. </li><li>Report equipment issues, downtime, or maintenance needs promptly. </li><li>Support process improvements, automation initiatives, and equipment optimization. </li></ul> <p>Cross-Functional Collaboration</p> <ul> <li>Partner with R&D and Quality teams on new product launches, formulation changes, and process trials. </li><li>Communicate operational challenges, risks, and improvement opportunities to leadership. </li><li>Support plant-wide initiatives and continuous improvement efforts. </li></ul> <p>Salary range $75,000 - $85,000</p> <p>REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES</p> <p>Education & Certifications</p> <ul> <li>High school diploma or equivalent required. </li><li>Culinary, food science, or related technical education preferred. </li><li>Food safety certification required. </li></ul> <p>Experience</p> <ul> <li>Minimum of 3 years of experience in food manufacturing (restaurant experience alone not sufficient). </li><li>Demonstrated experience with Protein processing and large-scale cooking operations. </li><li>Prior leadership experience in a manufacturing or production environment. </li></ul> <p>Technical & Leadership Competencies</p> <ul> <li>Protein Manufacturing & Industrial Cooking Operations </li><li>Food Safety, HACCP & USDA Compliance </li><li>Labor Planning & Team Leadership </li><li>Yield Optimization & Waste Reduction </li><li>Process Improvement & Operational Efficiency </li><li>Strong Communication & Cross-Functional Collaboration </li><li>Time Management & Organizational Skills </li></ul>