Converting Production Manager

Job Summary: 

• The Production Manager is responsible for managing all converting operations, i.e., the press, slitting, lamination, thermoforming, shipping/receiving, and material handling. They should have the experience and knowledge of proven methods for effectively managing a workforce to achieve significantly higher levels of productivity to maximize profits. The Production Manager must possess the necessary qualities of a leader that earns the respect of their team in order to drive employee performance to levels that meet and/or exceed set conversion goals. They must also collaborate with the Quality, Sales, Customer Service, and Operations teams to mitigate and resolve any customer issues that may arise.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities: 

• Champions all company safety standards and requirements in the Norcross facility and serves as a member of the Safety Committee
• Directs and coordinates all converting production and works closely with the Plant Manager, Quality Assurance Manager, Technical Group, Maintenance/Engineering, Customer Service, Sales, Operations Support, and Scheduling employees to help maximize the efficiency, productivity, and profitability of the facility.
• Develops manufacturing plans, maintains production schedules, quality, safety, and cost standards, and provides reporting on each of these on a regular basis.
• A “Floor Person” who is a very good communicator and leader that has past achievements engaging the employees to achieve higher productivity, Quality, and Safety performance levels.
• A manager that understands the P&L and then uses that understanding to drive cost reductions throughout his/her responsibilities.
• Track department production statistics on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis and report these to the Management Team and the Operations Team at monthly and bi-annual meetings.
• Must be able and willing to fill in for plant operators in various as needed.
• Assists in planning production work and assignments, and supervises subordinates.
• Continually helps to improve the manufacturing process through best practice review, costing programs review, and cost containment programs.
• Participates in the hiring process with HR (and the Plant Manager where applicable) for hourly plant positions.
• Administers company policies and procedures including employee performance review procedures, discipline, corrective action, etc.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical data, financial reports, and legal documents. 
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or issues from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. 
• Ability to effectively and properly communicate via written documents, emails, telephone or conference calls, or face-to-face discussion.
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or employees/co-workers.
• Must comply with, and ensure compliance of department personnel with, all general company-wide standard operating procedures (SOPs) and any job or department-specific SOPs.
  • SOPs may cover the areas of (but are not limited to)
    • Employee Health and Safety
    • SQF (Safe Quality Food packager) and GMP (good manufacturing procedures) focused on eliminating contaminates in all packaging manufactured.
    • SGP (Sustainable Green Printer) environmental regulatory procedures and SOPs.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by management staff.

Qualifications: (education, experience, specific skills, machinery/tools, etc.)

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year accredited college or university is desirable, preferably an engineering degree.
  • Ten to fifteen years of related experience in flexible packaging converting operations and/or training may be acceptable in place of a degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A high degree of proficiency with Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Access, etc.) and ERP systems, as well as the ability to learn and use equipment software and other office equipment. 

Physical Demands: (heavy lifting, sitting/standing for long periods, including frequency, duration, requirements for use of specific tools or equipment, etc.)

• Ability to lift up to 50-70 lbs. (occasional)
• Able to meet the standard hours' requirement of the position (constant)
• Ability to work on concrete floors for extended periods of time (frequent).
• Ability to sit at a desk and use PC including keyboard, mouse, and monitor (frequent)
• Ability to use office equipment effectively; PC, keyboard, mouse, phone, copier, printer, etc. (frequent)

Working Conditions: (travel, working hours, any unusual environmental conditions, and protective wear required.)

• Position works standard hours between 6:00 AM and 3:00 PM, but will need to work non-standard hours as needed for production-related meetings, employee shift meetings or employee conferences, production needs, etc.
• Position may travel a negligible amount (<10%) for training, conferences, or meetings at other facilities.
• The position will work both in an office environment (occasionally) and on the production floor (frequently), working directly with equipment and machinery on a regular basis.
• The position is required to meet all safety and food safety requirements by following all rules on personal protective equipment (PPE) including composite/steel-toe shoes, safety glasses, cut protection, hairnets, beard/mustache nets, etc., as well as adherence to all food safety rules on jewelry, food, and other contaminants on the production floor.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to execute each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations, that do not represent an undue hardship to the company, may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.