Production Manager

SunOpta Overview:
SunOpta (Nasdaq: STKL) (TSX: SOY) is an innovative and sustainable manufacturer fueling the future of food. With roots tracing back over 50 years, SunOpta drives growth for today’s leading brands by serving as a trusted innovation partner and value-added manufacturer, crafting organic, plant-based beverages, fruit snacks, nutritional beverages, broths and tea products sold through retail, club, foodservice and e-commerce channels. Alongside the company’s commitment to top brands, retailers and coffee shops, SunOpta also proudly produces its own brands, including SOWN®, Dream®, and West Life™. For more information, visit SunOpta and LinkedIn.

SunOpta is looking for talented individuals that demonstrate our most valued behaviors: Passion, Dedication, Speed, Entrepreneurship, Customer-Centricity, and Problem-Solver, to help create a brighter, healthier, and sustainable future of food!

Job Summary:
SunOpta - Omak is seeking a highly motivated, experienced Production Manager. Food experience is a must; with CPG food manufacturing experience preferred. Experience with lean, TPM, and or Six Sigma highly preferred. Top candidates will have a proven track record of improving process and results during their career. This position is responsible for coordinating the activities of the Manufacturing Department(s) to meet budgetary targets. Duties to be performed would be on an individual basis and/or through subordinates.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Direct Activities of Production: Work with staff to coordinate raw material receipt and staging, manufacturing, production scheduling, manufacturing, plant finished goods shipping readiness in accordance with established policies and procedures to meet production schedules.
• Monitor performance of manufacturing employees and equipment to ensure that production meets or exceeds the weekly production schedule, while meeting quality requirements and minimizing waste. Works with Quality, Purchasing, Sanitation, and Maintenance in the development of the finite production schedule.
• Ownership of Production Plan: Develop weekly, monthly, and annual manufacturing plans establishing priorities, corrective and preventative maintenance plans and sequences for manufacturing products; communicates plan to subordinates and peers.
• Safety: Proactively Lead safety for the Production Team targeting Zero recordable injuries. Ensures effective procedures, tools and record keeping are managed through site leadership.
• Quality: Coordinate manufacturing activities to ensure quality of products meets requirements. Follow-up on inspections, audits, and Master Sanitation Plan to ensure that corrective measures have been implemented to meet required Food Safe Conditions
• Training: Develop, implement, or revise Manufacturing Standard Operating Procedures and working methods to train employees, eliminate operating problems and improve product quality. Observe workers to ensure compliance with procedures, standards, GMP, safety and other key requirements - making corrections as needed.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure manufacturing areas comply with all regulatory and company requirements; including, external auditors, Kosher, Organic, local state and federal agencies, OSHA, wastewater, sanitation, and Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Organizational Design: Works with management to ensure that roles are correctly organized, defined, documented, and communicated to all employees.
• Adheres to company GMP’s (Good Manufacturing Practices), safety procedures and all other Quality processes. Wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), when required.
• All other duties, as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Production Supervisors
• Production Staff

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or related field experience.
• Five Plus years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Manufacturing and food industry experience required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of high-speed packaging, and robotics.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing practices, TPM, or Six Sigma.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Candidate must possess a strong working knowledge of food manufacturing.
• Outstanding verbal, written, multi-tasking, and presentation skills.
• Ability to create momentum and foster organizational change.
• Must have a working knowledge of MS Word and MS PowerPoint software and be proficient with MS Excel software.
• Experience with Oracle, Redzone, and Ceridian is beneficial.

Additional Considerations:

• Location: This position will be at the SunOpta location in Omak, WA.
• This role does not qualify for remote work.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• Approximately; 30% of work is performed in an office environment and 70% of work on the shop floor in a manufacturing environment.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED