Ice Cream Production Manager

The Production Manager is responsible for leading all aspects of day-to-day ice cream manufacturing operations, ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency. This role requires a strong floor presence, hands-on leadership, and a commitment to accountability and continuous improvement.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership & Floor Presence
• Maintain a visible, active presence on the production floor.
• Lead by example, fostering a culture of safety, quality, and accountability.
• Coach and mentor supervisors and hourly associates.

Safety & Compliance
• Enforce plant safety rules, GMPs, PPE, and food safety regulations.
• Conduct audits and initiate corrective actions.
• Champion SQF and HACCP programs.
• Champion zero-injury culture and food safety; verify pre-op status, allergen controls, and sanitation releases.
• Ensure rapid product hold/positive release decisions with QA, close audit findings.

Production Oversight
• Manage daily production schedules and minimize downtime.
• Chair the daily production meeting; align with Scheduling/Processing/Warehouse.
• Partner with Maintenance on PM/DM windows; prevent unplanned downtime.
• Own the production scoreboard and EOS roll-ups.
• Support variance reviews (yields, scrap, materials) with Finance.
• Validate downtime coding accuracy; track labor vs. plan (OT, agency usage).
• Monitor KPIs: OEE, yield variance, schedule adherence.
• Ensure proper staffing and resource allocation.
• Translate the weekly/daily plan into hour-by-hour targets for each line; hold supervisors accountable.
• Direct start-up readiness (1st) and shutdown/next-day staging (2nd). Ensure FEFO material flow.
• Own co-pack execution: spec adherence, packaging/artwork verification, lot segregation, changeover discipline, and customer communication.

Quality Assurance
• Partner with QA to maintain product standards.
• Implement corrective and preventive actions for quality issues.
• Assist with CAPA meetings; leading and giving input when needed.

Continuous Improvement
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and 5S initiatives.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Run weekly Top Loss reviews (downtime Pareto). Sponsor SMED kaizens.
• Drive reductions in start-up scrap, micro-stops, and rework.

People Development
• Conduct performance reviews and training.
• Hold supervisors accountable for team development.
• Partner with HR on staffing plans, attendance, progressive discipline, and retention.
• Co-own a 90-day training roadmap: target % cross-trained by line/skill.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Education and Experience:
• High School Diploma/GED required
• Associates or bachelor’s degree preferred
• Four to Six years’ experience in a food production management role
• Ice Cream Manufacturing/frozen food production experience preferred
• Prior supervisory/management experience preferred

Competencies & Capabilities:
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills, and possess the ability to present information to teams.
• Proven track record managing large teams and complex lines.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong team orientation.
• Focused on key ice cream manufacturing KPIs and financial performance; demonstrated ability to analyze team and operations to balance safety, efficiency, service and optimization.
• Ability to problem-solve with various levels of complexity
• Demonstrated organizational skills and attention-to-detail (strong tactical execution, project management)
• Ability to operate in a complex, rapidly changing environment while adhering to tight schedules.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving and attention to detail skills are required.
• Must be well-organized and able to coordinate multiple tasks and requests.
• Must be able to train as well as assess training needs for associates on the production floor.
• Knowledge of GMP, SQF, HACCP, OSHA.
• Flexible schedule for multiple shifts
Computer/Technical:
• Proficient in MS Office with a focus on Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point,
• Prior experience with Manufacturing Production Systems, tools and equipment (Douglas, Morrison, palletizing equipment) strongly preferred
• Prior experience with ERP Systems (Sage software preferred)

Physical Requirements:
• Ability to stand for extended periods in a production environment.
• Capability to lift up to 50 lbs. regularly.
• Ability to work in cold areas and adapt to temperature variations.