Production Manager in Hudsonville, Michigan at Proper Beverage Company

About Proper Beverage Company

At Proper Beverage Company, we believe in doing things the right way - with integrity, precision, and a focus on quality. As a rapidly growing, locally owned business, our mission is to craft beverages that our partners and their customers can trust and enjoy. Guided by our vision to be a leader in the beverage industry, we're driven by innovation, efficiency, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Led by a hands-on CEO and supported by a dedicated leadership team, Proper Beverage is a place where hard work is recognized, career growth is encouraged, and every employee has the opportunity to make a real impact. We offer competitive pay, advancement opportunities, and a collaborative environment where people can thrive both personally and professionally.

Job Information

Job Summary

The Production Manager is responsible for leading daily production operations to ensure the safe, efficient, and compliant production of high-quality products. This role oversees production schedules, staffing, employee development, operational performance, and continuous improvement initiatives while maintaining accountability for safety, quality, GMP compliance, and production throughput. The Production Manager works closely with quality, maintenance, sanitation, logistics, customer success, and leadership teams to achieve company objectives and support organizational growth.

Responsibilities

Production Operations Leadership

• Lead and oversee daily production operations across assigned shifts and production lines.
• Ensure production goals, schedules, and customer commitments are achieved safely and efficiently.
• Monitor operational performance and make adjustments as necessary to meet business objectives.
• Provide leadership and direction to supervisors, leads, and production employees.

Schedule Execution & Throughput Management

• Execute production schedules while maximizing equipment utilization and labor efficiency.
• Coordinate resources to ensure production targets are achieved.
• Monitor production output, efficiency, and schedule attainment.
• Identify and address obstacles that impact throughput, productivity, or customer commitments.
• Collaborate with planning and scheduling teams to optimize production flow.

Safety, Quality, & GMP Accountability

• Ensure compliance with all company safety policies, GMP requirements, food safety standards, and quality procedures.
• Promote a culture of safety, quality, and accountability throughout the production department.
• Investigate safety incidents, quality concerns, and non-conformances and implement corrective actions.
• Conduct routine audits and observations to verify compliance with operational standards.

Team Leadership & Employee Development

• Lead, coach, and develop production supervisors, leads, and team members.
• Establish performance expectations and provide ongoing feedback and development opportunities.
• Support succession planning and employee growth initiatives.
• Foster a positive, accountable, team-oriented, sanitary, and food safe environment.

Staffing & Labor Coordination

• Partner with Human Resources to recruit, onboard, and retain production personnel.
• Manage staffing levels to support production demands while controlling labor costs.
• Coordinate overtime, shift coverage, and workforce planning activities.
• Monitor attendance, employee performance, and workforce productivity.

Performance Tracking & Reporting

• Monitor and report on key performance indicators including safety, quality, throughput, downtime, labor efficiency, and schedule attainment.
• Analyze operational trends and develop action plans to improve performance.
• Prepare reports and presentations for leadership review.

Continuous Improvement & Operational Accountability

• Drive a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure production standards, procedures, and expectations are consistently followed.
• Lead initiatives that improve safety, quality, productivity, and employee engagement.
• Maintain accountability for departmental performance and operational results.

All other duties as assigned

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Manufacturing, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field, preferred.
• 5+ years of manufacturing leadership experience, including supervision of production teams.
• Experience managing supervisors and leading multi-shift operations, preferred.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production planning, labor management, and operational metrics.
• Knowledge of GMPs, food safety requirements, quality systems, and workplace safety regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, drive accountability, and develop employees.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives and process optimization projects.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, production reporting tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across departments.
• Experience in food, beverage, consumer packaged goods, or manufacturing industry, preferred.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing business priorities.