Production Manager Job at Aspire Bakeries in West Columbia

Aspire Bakeries is a North American baking company with a leadership position in specialty frozen baked goods. Formed from leading bakery companies, its innovative food portfolio includes breads, artisan breads, buns, cookies, donuts, muffins and pastries from beloved brands like La Brea Bakery, Otis Spunkmeyer, and Oakrun Farm Bakery. With 13 bakeries in North America, we are committed to driving innovation, predicting upcoming consumer trends and flavors, and exceeding our customers' expectations. Aspire Bakeries champions the values of Integrity, Ownership, Customer Focus, Creativity and Care to help us deliver on People Safety, Food Safety, Quality and Collaboration.

As the Production Manager, you will oversee the day-to-day operations of bakery production, engineering, and sanitation to ensure the consistent flow of high-quality products that meet customer, regulatory, and company standards. You will manage the formulation and production techniques for all products, partner closely with Quality Assurance to resolve product issues, and maintain staffing levels while promoting employee development. Additionally, you will drive continuous improvement through effective team leadership, conflict resolution, and participation in safety, compliance, and audit activities. As a key leader in the plant, you will collaborate with senior management to ensure operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and adherence to budgetary guidelines.

Responsibilities:

• Plan, direct, and coordinate bakery production, engineering, and sanitation activities to ensure a continuous flow of quality products that meet or exceed all requirements of the customer, Aspire Bakeries, and regulatory agencies.
• Accomplishes the above within efficiency guidelines as established by company management.
• Ensures and controls the proper formulation and production techniques of all products produced within the plant.
• Partners with Quality Assurance to timely and effectively address product quality issues with the customer to achieve quality objectives.
• Ensures all bakery manufacturing positions are staffed and career progression and development are outlined.
• Conducts timely formal annual performance evaluations for exempt employees in addition to recommending developmental activities.
• Maintains a favorable plant relationship to ensure continuity and efficiency of the workforce.
• Promotes positive employee relations through effective conflict management and issue resolution.
• Participates in weekly facility management meetings and internal audits when scheduled. Ensures corrective and preventative action plans are implemented and effective when assigned.
• Assists in the investigation and resolution of customer complaints by participating in information gathering, root cause analysis, and corrective action identification and implementation when required.
• Ensures a safe and sanitary facility that meets or exceeds all requirements of the customer, company policy, and regulatory agencies. Reviews progress with the Bakery Director on an ongoing basis.
• Confers frequently with appropriate Company management on any proposed changes in operational policies.
• Encourages and maintains adequate communication in all areas and between all levels within the plant and Company.
• Communicates all significant customer-related actions and problems to the Bakery Director on a regular basis.
• Interfaces with internal and external customers and personnel, including the franchisee community, to preserve and enhance the image of Aspire Bakeries as a competent supplier of high quality bakery products.
• Oversees distribution functions to meet the needs and expectations of all customers and the company.
• Provides accurate and timely period-end data as required.
• Provides meaningful and accurate data for the preparation of capital and operating budgets.
• Supervises and coordinates all capital expenditure projects for the plant to ensure completion on schedule and within budgetary guidelines.
• Assists the Associate Bakery Director in planning, directing, and coordinating the environmental health and safety programs and initiatives within the plant.
• Supports and participates in special projects as assigned.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships and two-way communication with coworkers and other personnel throughout the Company.
• Partners with technical manager to identify process inefficiencies, and establish best practices, root cause analysis, and action plans.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business management or administration or equivalent experience is required. A Master's degree in business administration or distribution management is preferred.
• Experience in the food industry is preferred.
• Bilingual, English/Spanish is preferred.
• Experience in a management role.
• Experience in planning, coordination, and control of manufacturing processes.
• Educated on sales, purchasing, machinery, packaging, shipping, transportation, and any related operations.

Aspire Bakeries is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

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