Provides overall direction and guidance to the operational activities of our processing plant with the objective of maximizing operational efficiencies and profitability. Assures high production output, high quality product, and wastes reduction, elimination of safety issues and controls overhead/labor costs. Provide day-to-day leadership and management of processing functions to maximize both productivity and profitability while ensuring we exceed food safety requirements and maintain a safe working environment. Perform a variety of management, administrative as well as physical functions to ensure timely and accurate processing. Responsible for the supervision of personnel and operations in the execution of produce receiving and packing functions.
Responsibilities & Duties:
- Must be hands-on with employees in a labor-intensive environment.
- Ability to direct and delegate work to warehouse personnel.
- Oversight of line supervisors in charge of packers, graders and general labor employees for the packing of fresh produce, operating state-of-the-art sorting equipment, and time based production management.
- Completes documentation of time cards, shipping & receiving documents and reports in timely, efficient manner. Documents employee attendance & disciplinary actions.
Managing Throughput:
- Must have at least 3 years’ experience as a Plant/Operations Manager running fresh produce packing facility.
- Supervises the receiving, packing, cooling and shipping functions.
- Provide reliable and accurate manufacturing information.
Process Management:
- Inventory control management, bar coding.
- Works directly with VP of Sales to control expense, including shrink, labor and overhead cost.
Employee Safety:
- Ensure the safety of all employees, at all times.
Facilities Management:
- Solid technical operating skills in a food environment, including processing, equipment, food safety basics, maintenance systems, production and inventory control and information systems.
Good Management Practices, Quality Assurance & Food Safety:
- Experience developing appropriate policies and procedures to ensure compliance within manufacturing, operational practices, applicable laws and GAP/food safety requirements.
- Maintains a status of “audit ready packing facility”.
- Assure local and national regulatory compliance including but not limited to OSHA, USDA, FDA, GAP, GMP.
- Guarantees the facility and equipment are properly maintained and regularly scheduled facility and equipment programs are executed. Maintains proper housekeeping and sanitation of the facility.
Values & Ethics:
- To follow ethical and business-like manner in all interactions with employees, truck drivers, government agencies, growers and customers.
Administrative:
- Proficient skills in using computer-based systems, programs and reports.
- Basic Computer skills specifically Windows 2000. Outlook, Word and Excel.
Education & Experience:
- High School diploma or equivalent.
- Bachelor’s degree preferred OR equivalent combination of related education and/or experience may be considered.
- Must have 5+ years of produce packing experience
- Clean driving record and Valid Driver’s License required.
- Forklift certified a plus.
Ability:
- Interpersonal skills required.
- Preferred: bilingual in Spanish to communicate with majority Spanish speaking workforce.
- Ability to work with individuals at all levels of the organization.
- To work nights, weekends or as business needs arise during harvesting season.
