What are the responsibilities and job description for the Production Manager position at Lallemand?
Main Functions
Role Overview
Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits (LBDS) is seeking a Production Manager to lead manufacturing operations at its Dakota Yeast production facility. This role is responsible for overseeing daily fermentation, sanitation, and packaging activities to ensure the safe, efficient, and high‑quality production of yeast, while meeting operational, cost, and delivery objectives. The Production Manager plays a key leadership role in driving plant performance, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering a strong culture of safety and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
Required
Required
Required
Lallemand is a privately held Canadian company founded in the late 19th century, which develops, produces, and markets microorganisms for various markets. The administrative offices of the parent company are in Montreal, Canada. Today, Lallemand employs more than 5,000 people working in more than 45 countries on 5 continents.
Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits is a leading fermentation ingredients supplier (yeast, yeast nutrients, and antimicrobials) for both the bioethanol and distilled spirits markets. Our clients depend on Lallemand ingredients for their fermentation processes as well as consulting and training services for those sectors.
Supported by an extensive network of warehouses, Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits' main office is located in the United States, with satellite branches worldwide.
In both the biofuel and spirits industries, the team behind the operation demonstrates an unparalleled sense of innovation, aiming to provide the best possible quality of fermentation.
Please take note that accommodations will be provided in all parts of the hiring process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.
Role Overview
Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits (LBDS) is seeking a Production Manager to lead manufacturing operations at its Dakota Yeast production facility. This role is responsible for overseeing daily fermentation, sanitation, and packaging activities to ensure the safe, efficient, and high‑quality production of yeast, while meeting operational, cost, and delivery objectives. The Production Manager plays a key leadership role in driving plant performance, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering a strong culture of safety and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and execute production operations across fermentation, sanitation, and packaging to meet safety, quality, cost, and delivery targets.
- Manage and develop the manufacturing team, including hiring, training, coaching, and performance management, while reinforcing strong safety and quality standards.
- Ensure compliance with food safety, environmental, and industrial safety regulations, maintaining accurate documentation and a strong safety culture.
- Monitor plant performance and troubleshoot process issues, using data, root cause analysis, and corrective actions to address risks to quality, safety, or efficiency.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including process optimization, equipment and sanitation improvements, and approved capital projects.
- Collaborate cross‑functionally with Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and R&D to support operational reliability, maintenance readiness, and process or product improvements.
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Fermentation Science or other relevant field;
- 5 years of manufacturing leadership in food, fermentation, biotech, or chemical processing required.
- Understanding of biofuels production processes
- Process control, data analysis, and operational systems expertise
- An MBA is an asset.
- Budget management will be considered a plus.
Required
- Demonstrated people leadership skills, including coaching, performance management, setting clear expectations, and recognizing team achievements.
- Clear and timely communication skills, able to engage operators, peers, and leadership both verbally and in writing.
- Strong decision‑making and problem‑solving abilities, with the capacity to prioritize effectively in a fast‑paced, regulated environment.
- Organized and accountable, remaining calm under pressure and collaborating effectively across functions such as QC and Supply Chain.
Required
- Must live in or around Wahpeton, ND. If you´re a good fit, we can offer a relocation package.
Lallemand is a privately held Canadian company founded in the late 19th century, which develops, produces, and markets microorganisms for various markets. The administrative offices of the parent company are in Montreal, Canada. Today, Lallemand employs more than 5,000 people working in more than 45 countries on 5 continents.
Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits is a leading fermentation ingredients supplier (yeast, yeast nutrients, and antimicrobials) for both the bioethanol and distilled spirits markets. Our clients depend on Lallemand ingredients for their fermentation processes as well as consulting and training services for those sectors.
Supported by an extensive network of warehouses, Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits' main office is located in the United States, with satellite branches worldwide.
In both the biofuel and spirits industries, the team behind the operation demonstrates an unparalleled sense of innovation, aiming to provide the best possible quality of fermentation.
Please take note that accommodations will be provided in all parts of the hiring process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.