This is an onsite position. Must have food manufacturing experience.

The Director of Manufacturing is responsible for managing a fast-paced production plant within the Freshrealm's operations team. Drive the site performance for KPIs to ensure maximum efficiency while at all times, maintaining the highest standards of quality, regulatory, and company specifications. Provides training and motivation to team members, using recognition, positive feedback and other rewards with appropriate discretion in a continuous improvement environment. Engages senior managers, operations managers and supervisors to ensure their development and follows all health and safety standards and enforces use of PPE’s.

• Responsible for controlling material used in manufacturing operations to ensure costs stay within budgeted levels. Monitor shift operations and productivity. Maximize the efficiency of the department and ensure Daily Production plan targets are attained.
• Responsible for creating, modifying and adjusting team member work schedules, and granting time off, as is appropriate, to ensure effective communication at all levels and complete all necessary administrative work. You will actively resolve problems that team members raised to you. You will give positive feedback to help build their confidence and provide constructive criticism to develop their skills. Responsible for coaching and discipline of team members.
• Evaluates departmental performance and effectiveness by gathering, analyzing and interpreting data and metrics.
• Attains successful production objectives, implementation of policies, and utilization of available resources while ensuring all customer, regulatory and legal requirements are followed.
• Analyze ‘Downtime’ ensuring proper explanation of the reasons for ‘Lost’ production and to liaise with other Plant Managers on addressing the resulting issues. Effectively manage the labor resource and control this to within the given budgets/targets for the required output.
• Deal with staff and effectively manage the labor resource and control this to within the given budgets/targets for the required output. Issues of discipline, grievance and welfare within the guidelines laid out in the Company’s published policies and procedures. To maintain and not exceed departmental budgets.
• Promotes ‘Quality’ within the facility by positively reinforcing the Company’s quality ethos and encouraging a ‘right the first time, every time’ approach; to also ensure regular attendance at ‘testing panels’ by self and staff.
• Ensure that Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP’s), as indicated by product specifications or other media, is adhered to at all times and stages of the process. Enforces GMP’s, use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE’s), quality and proper documentation of processes. Enforces the clean-as-you-go policy and practices.
• Ensure compliance with Food Safety and Quality standards as identified on product specifications, to isolate and address any non-conformance within 24 hours and monitor measures designed to maintain and improve standards within the Department.
• Liaise with the Quality department on issues affecting the plant and with the IT department to ensure faults/repairs are properly reported and corrected and to agree on the availability of machinery and equipment for maintenance.

Skills and Requirements

• Minimum (10) years experience in a production management role within a fast-paced business, preferably within a chilled food environment.
• Manufacturing experience in food is preferable.
• Good understanding of all continuous improvement production techniques.
• Knowledge of large-scale business start-up is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability at being a team player.
• Experience working in a continuous improvement environment and demonstrated delivery through change.
• Certified and trained in OSHA requirements or expectations, HACCP, SDS, First Aid/CPR, and Food Hygiene
• Ability to motivate others to work routine and monotonous processes and stand for extended periods of time
• Must have a good understanding of English, bilingual (Spanish) speaking skills are helpful
• Ability to work in a cold/ damp environment and stand for extended periods

Experience / Education

• Bachelor's level/Masters degree preferred in Manufacturing or another related field.
• Certificates in HACCP, Food Handling, Culinary Arts or other related training or education is preferred.
• A Minimum (10) years experience in a production management role, preferably in a chilled food environment, within a fast-paced business.
• Experience working in a fresh food manufacturing environment applying common processes, procedures and equipment. Experience managing in a chilled food manufacturing business preferred.
• 5 years or more experience applying and enforcing routine Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s) in a food environment is essential.