Production Manager

Business Unit Overview

Michael Foods, Inc. is a leader in the food processing and distribution industry with business in egg products, refrigerated grocery and potato products. We offer exciting job possibilities throughout our organization where you can enhance your career, sharpen your talents and make an impact. Join our company and be part of an innovative team that’s First in Food.

Location Description

Michael Foods, Inc. located in Gaylord, Minnesota is Minnesota's Healthy Heartland! Gaylord is located in south central Minnesota about an hour west of the Twin Cities and 35 minutes from Mankato, Hutchinson, and New Ulm. As the County Seat, Gaylord is the "Hub of Sibley County." Our location produces liquid egg, hardcook egg, and precooked egg such as scrambled, patties and omelets.
Responsibilities

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Processing Manager provides strategic and hands-on leadership for all manufacturing operations. This role oversees supervisory staff, ensures compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements, and drives coordination across departments. The Processing Manager is expected to demonstrate strong leadership and ownership of results, model the behaviors expected throughout the facility, and serve as a champion of the plant’s culture, promoting safety, quality, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

This position has the responsibility to comply with Safety work rules at all times as well as an obligation to reinforce Safety as a Core Value. Ensures that all policies, procedures and activities,
related to Food Safety & Quality, are followed and complied with uniformly, in an effort to reduce product and process variability.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Accountable for a safe and healthy workplace for everyone. Adhere to all safety policies and procedures and incorporate safety and health in all jobs and tasks.
• Oversee all aspects of product manufacturing, ensuring efficient operations and adherence to production schedules.
• Adhere to GMPs, sanitation standards, and quality requirements; take action to mitigate or resolve any conditions or practices that may adversely affect food safety, product quality, or employee safety.
• Develop a thorough understanding of all operational processes within the facility.
• Build and maintain training programs to ensure employees are properly trained in safety, quality, operational procedures, and professional development.
• Lead and participate in plant and corporate continuous improvement initiatives.
• Actively contribute to the plant leadership team, promoting safety, operational growth, team development, and a positive, high-performance culture.
• Demonstrate leadership and ownership by setting clear expectations, holding teams accountable, and fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Prepare and manage departmental budgets, monitoring expenditures and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
• Develop capital project proposals to support expansion, efficiency improvements, and cost reduction.
• Drive continuous improvement in product quality and operational performance.
• Collaborate with Customer Service to address customer inquiries and investigate complaints.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for regulatory inspectors and ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Food Science, Engineering, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 5 or more years of experience in production management and supervision within a manufacturing environment. 
• Demonstrated experience leading teams and managing personnel in a production setting.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to respond to inquiries from customers, vendors, regulatory agencies, and business partners.
• Skilled in presenting information to senior leadership, public groups, and boards of directors.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, including the ability to interpret technical instructions and work with abstract or complex variables.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards (GMP, SQF).
• Familiarity with USDA, FDA, OSHA, and other regulatory requirements.
• Understanding of plant operations, production scheduling, and workflow optimization.
• Experience working with high-performance teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and inventory control systems.

The pay range for this position is $102,093 - $159,265 per year.