At Soli Organic, we want to change the way people access organic, sustainable, and affordable food by revolutionizing what nature does best: growing healthy, flavorful plants. We take what we know about the biology of growing the best produce, and then use technology to optimize nature’s processes. We do all of this in our proprietary, USDA-certified organic, soil-based, indoor system. For us, everything begins with soil; it is the foundational building blocks that enable us to provide an ecosystem in which plants can thrive.

Over the past 30 years, we've seen this mission spread beyond our wildest dreams. Today, we are an integrated food solutions group with a nation-wide presence, and an ambitious drive to continue to have a positive impact for consumers. So how did we reach this far? We are constantly learning from nature, and we are taking those lessons in innovative ways and creative solutions that will serve the community of consumers who are looking for flavorful, healthy, and sustainable produce options.

SUMMARY: The Production Manager must have experience working with short life perishables and in a manufacturing and/or production industry. The Production Manager is someone who is driven by challenge and success in a fast-paced working environment. This position will ensure the site’s viability and profitability by meeting or exceeding production targets using effective management, coordination, and direction of activities and personnel within the facility. Actively oversees and engages in activities including, but not limited to; the proper production of goods, the proper operation and good repair of equipment, the proper oversight and development of personnel and associated payroll, and the site’s full compliance with all established safety, food safety, and quality standards. The Production Manager will develop teammates to enhance their potential and must possess strong leadership to lead others. This position reports to the General Manager and will have the opportunity to lead projects and actively participate in strategic operations initiatives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provides effective leadership, motivation, and inspiration for the site team; supervises and develops team members to consistently achieve their individual and team goals.
• Leads site management collaboration and communications; sets and maintains scheduled individual and team meetings to discuss performance, operational issues, and planning.
• Generates and provides labor and production planning, determines production schedules, and makes necessary modifications based on customer demands, product, and material availability, and/or transportation constraints on a continuing basis to ensure all production and delivery deadlines are met.
• Works with corporate and local site leadership to effectively implement Soli's policies and goals.
• Creates maintains, and ensures the proper execution by site personnel, of all formal operational policies, procedures (SOPs), and quality specifications.
• Actively initiate root cause analysis and corrective actions for nonconforming incidents and unusual occurrences within the operation.
• Ensures all new hires meet Soli standards and federal requirements, and that effective staff onboarding and ongoing training programs and activities are conducted in a timely manner.
• Resolves workers’ problems, complaints, and grievances.
• Creates, evaluates, and operates within a budget and spending plan with the assistance of corporate financial personnel.
• Evaluates packaging labor wages as a percentage of sales, and continually monitors the total numbers of labor hours in the work week, eliminating overtime.
• Calculates and projects the labor and equipment requirements along with product specifications using standard formulas.
• Ensures effective communication between receivers and procurement regarding the quantity of product received, and that it meets quality standards and yield requirements of the packing floor.
• Oversees and constantly improves upon the production process to ensure that it is as efficient and profitable as possible.
• Maintains a thorough understanding of the Soli customer and product mix, focusing on order fulfillment and seasonal demands.
• Responsible for all initiatives to maximize throughput while maintaining the highest safety and quality standards in the industry.
• Constantly evaluates the receiving of raw materials and shipping of final goods, and indirect costs, to ensure the lowest cost of goods possible.
• Generates and analyzes periodic reports of employee productivity, seasonal trends, and efficiency at the site.
• Continuously monitors the total yield per pound on an aggregate and specific herb basis.
• Ensures there is efficient and effective communication between all operational shifts and workgroups.
• Maintains interaction and relationships with corporate marketing, procurement, and transportation leadership to effectively execute site activities.
• Ensures the appropriate procurement and approvals of products, equipment, and materials to reduce waste, consolidate items and quantities, and negotiates better prices with suppliers.
• Ensures all site personnel receive the necessary training and tools required for their respective position and adhere to all associated rules and regulations. Expediently communicates changes of any established safety, security, quality, and food safety standards and/or requirements.
• Stays up-to-date with HACCP, food safety, and organic certification requirements, ensuring the site continually operates compliantly. Participates in all associated audit activities. Oversees and ensures the vitality of the recall program, and stays up-to-date with evolving FDA & USDA requirements
• Stays up-to-date with evolving industry technology in equipment and food safety solutions, ensuring continuous improvement in all site operations.
• Accountable for immediately notifying supervisor of any observed safety concerns.
• Maintains a clean working environment.
• Performs other duties as directed

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree - business administration, management, engineering, industrial technology or equivalent work experience
• 5+ Years Food Processing experience
• 5+ Years of supervisory experience
• Strong analytical thinker with problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation, and benefits
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Office 365 programs
• Valid Driver’s License and satisfactory driving record
• Highly organized and detailed oriented
• Knows how to manage overlapping projects and keep track of deadlines
• Effective communication (both written and verbal) and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrate an ability to lead and motivate people
• Ability to communicate effectively with teammates at all levels of the organization
• Basic math

PREFERRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bilingual, English & Spanish
• Ability to travel if needed
• Sage 100
• Working knowledge and experience in Lean Six Sigma
• Prior experience with OSHA, HACCP, and GMP’s

DDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS:

• Positive attitude
• Teamwork and flexibility to get the job done
• Knowledge of process improvement techniques
• Knowledge of business, finance and management principles
• Knowledge of human resource principles and practices
• Knowledge of engineering and technology principles and practices
• Knowledge of project management principles and practices
• Ability to identify the developmental needs of others and coach, mentor, or otherwise help others to improve their knowledge or skills
• Ability to encourage and build mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members
• Provide guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work in a cold packaging warehouse (30 to 55 Degrees Fahrenheit).
• The job is performed indoors in a variety of settings including office, production floor, and warehouse.
• Exposure to loud noises, dust, dirt, and smoke may occur.
• Protective safety clothing may occasionally be required including appropriate clothing, shoes, gloves, hardhat, and goggles as needed.

About Soli Organic:

We believe that accessing organic, sustainable, flavorful foods provides an opportunity for people of all identities, backgrounds, and cultures to enjoy high quality produce. We celebrate all dimensions of diversity in the workplace equally and ensure that everyone feels a sense of inclusion, participation and belonging. We also aim to extend this commitment to the partners we work with and the communities we serve. We are constantly listening, learning, and evolving to deliver on these principles. We are proud of our collaborative culture. Our diverse employee population shares our fundamental core values of Respect for All Individuals, Customer Obsession and Winning as One Team, which creates a culture that attracts top talent, forming the foundation for a great place to work!

At Soli Organic, we embrace diversity and inclusion. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of an individual's race, national origin, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, marital status or any other protected characteristic under applicable law, whether actual or perceived. As part of the Company’s commitment to equal employment opportunity, we provide reasonable accommodations, up to the point of undue hardship, to candidates at any stage, including to individuals with disabilities.

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