Production Manager

At Lakeside Foods and our family of companies, we're committed to providing wholesome foods to enrich people’s lives through food. We are a culture that pursues our vision of growth and innovation with passion, confidence, and commitment. We are strongest together valuing collaborative contribution, transparency and new ideas to enable change and growth. We are committed to an inclusive and respectful environment that promotes a healthy work-life balance, and there’s a seat at the table for you.

Become One Of Our Valued Team Members:

Our Production Manager offers an experienced manufacturing leader the opportunity to oversee daily production operations while driving safety, quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement at our Owatonna facility. Reporting to the General Manager, this role provides leadership through Production Supervisors and is responsible for achieving operational goals, developing team members, improving production performance, and ensuring compliance with food safety and regulatory requirements. If you are passionate about leading teams, improving processes, and delivering results in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment, we invite you to join our team.

What You'll Get:

At Lakeside Foods, we believe in taking care of our people. That’s why, as part of the Lakeside family, you’ll have a package of affordable benefit choices and resources to choose from that covers your health, well-being, family and future.

Wage Range: $82,100 - $102,600

Comprehensive Benefits:

• A choice of three quality affordable healthcare coverage options
• Vision coverage
• Dental coverage
• Health savings account with employer contribution/flexible spending accounts
• Retirement planning including Profit Sharing and 401(k) match
• Company-provided life, AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance
• Generous paid time off including vacation, personal days and holidays

Work-Life Integration:

• Educational & professional development assistance
• Wellness programs and fitness reimbursement
• Dependent scholarship program
• Career growth opportunities
• Internships/apprenticeships

What You'll Do:

• Lead daily production operations through Production Supervisors to achieve safety, quality, productivity, and operational goals.
• Provide leadership, coaching, development, and direction to Production Supervisors and production personnel.
• Participate as a member of the plant leadership team in the development and administration of company policies, processes, strategies, and business objectives.
• Participate in management meetings and contribute to plant-wide operational initiatives and solutions.
• Monitor departmental performance and provide insight regarding operational results, trends, and progress toward established goals.
• Manage employee performance, coaching, development, and accountability in accordance with company policies and applicable regulations.
• Ensure employee time records are completed accurately and support production reporting requirements.
• Identify operational inefficiencies and implement corrective actions to improve productivity, attainment, and overall performance.
• Analyze production processes and data to identify trends, reduce waste, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Utilize production systems and reporting tools to monitor performance and implement process improvements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support operational alignment and successful project execution.
• Oversee HACCP, Preventive Controls, food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance programs within production operations.
• Participate on HACCP and Food Safety teams and support mock and actual product recalls.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, GMPs, SOPs, SSOPs, food safety standards, and applicable regulations.
• Ensure production teams are properly trained and equipped to perform their roles safely and effectively.
• Maintain a strong focus on workplace safety, OSHA compliance, hazard communication, and chemical safety requirements.
• Coordinate equipment maintenance needs with plant teams to support safe, reliable operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You'll Bring:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred.
• Five or more years of manufacturing, production, or related operational leadership experience required.
• Three to five years of direct supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to coach, develop, and motivate teams.
• Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives and driving operational results.
• Working knowledge of food manufacturing operations, food safety programs, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to interpret production data and identify improvement opportunities.
• Ability to calculate figures and apply mathematical concepts such as fractions, ratios, and proportions.
• Proficiency with computers, business software applications, and production reporting systems.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• OSHA 10/30-Hour Certification preferred or willingness to obtain through company-sponsored training.
• HACCP Certification preferred; must be willing to obtain and maintain certification.

Where You'll Work:

Located in southern Minnesota, Owatonna offers the perfect balance of opportunity, affordability, and Midwestern hospitality. Home to a strong manufacturing base and conveniently situated along Interstate 35 between Minneapolis-St. Paul and Rochester, Owatonna provides easy access to major metropolitan amenities while maintaining a welcoming community atmosphere. Residents enjoy excellent schools, beautiful parks and trails, year-round recreational activities, and a vibrant local economy. With a high quality of life, affordable housing, and a strong workforce culture, Owatonna is an ideal place to build a rewarding career while enjoying everything southern Minnesota has to offer.

Lakeside Foods and our family of companies welcomes people of all backgrounds and the varied ideas they bring to the workplace. Being an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer is part of our heritage and culture. We recruit, hire and promote employees based on qualifications and merit, without regard to race, religion, age, gender, disability, marital or veteran status. Lakeside Foods participates in E-Verify.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities