Continuous Improvement & Production Manager bei Pero Family Farms Food Company LLC

Description

Title: Continuous Improvement & Production Manager 

Reports to: Plant Manager 

Location: Benton Harbor, MI

Type: Full-Time | Onsite | Exempt

COMPANY SUMMARY

Pero Family Farms is a market share leader with over a century of dedication, commitment and integrity. Operating since 1908, Pero is the farm trusted by retailers and consumers alike. We are a fully integrated farming operation, with departments that specialize in organic farming, logistics, global supply chain management, national sales operations, food processing operations, and strategic marketing functions. Our operation includes over 35,000 acres spanning across the East Coast of the United States from Florida to New York, with distribution and production facilities in several different states. We pride ourselves in maintaining a strong family heritage and tradition that has been dedicated to quality, innovation, and excellent customer service that has been feeding America’s families for over a century. Our family’s passion for farming remains unwavering, with a vision to continue the tradition for many generations to come, whilst maintaining the reverence and trust it has established with the American consumer. As we expand our offering to include an assortment of organic vegetable options; we have become one of the largest organic vegetable growers in the country and we are looking to grow our workforce family. Join us in continuing and strengthening our position as a market share leader dedicated and trusted by retailers and consumers alike.

JOB PURPOSE

The position of the Continuous Improvement and Production Manager entails the evaluation and improvement of all processes in shipping receiving, logistics, production, supply, quality control, and quality assurance departments within the company's operations. This position will need to oversee that each department is successfully communicating and all company procedures are properly executed.

Responsible for the overall success of the team and department with the day-to-day emphasis on production scheduling, order fulfillment, personnel training, succession planning, job descriptions, system inputs and accuracy, lot number and load list priority management, shrink management, yield optimization, OSHA safety compliance. Exhibits strong communication leadership working with other packing facilities between supply, logistics, and sales.

Requirements

Continuous Improvement (CI) Role

Focus: Process optimization, analytics, and long-term improvements.

• Create and maintain operational processes and SOPs for training and evaluation.
• Identify Key Performance Measures (KPMs), establish goals, and prepare reports for senior management.
• Perform workplace safety audits and provide improvement recommendations.
• Conduct root cause analysis of shrink, loss, and process failures; recommend corrective actions.
• Interface with sales, production, shipping, and quality control to identify and reduce financial losses.
• Lead loss prevention investigations and process reviews.
• Provide profitability and performance reports against budgetary guidelines.
• Use data systems (e.g., Paylocity, RedZone, ERP) to analyze performance and support decision-making.
• Benchmark internal and external best practices for efficiency and cost reduction.

Production Manager Role

Focus: Day-to-day leadership, people management, and production outcomes.

• Enforce all company policies and procedures.
• Maintain strong communication and cooperation with other departments.
• Maintain high morale by addressing employee needs, recognizing achievements, and providing ongoing training.
• Meet and sustain company objectives for productivity, yield, safety, sanitation, quality, product specs, and overtime.
• Train supervisors to assume responsibilities during absences.
• Oversee hiring, discipline, performance reviews, and pay increases.
• Ensure products are produced efficiently while maintaining quality standards.
• Maintain regular floor presence to monitor production and coach employees.
• Schedule and plan labor needs to support production goals.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, OSHA, and other regulatory requirements.
• Manage departmental budgets and control costs.
• Develop and mentor supervisors and employees; support succession planning.
• Respond to operational disruptions (equipment breakdowns, labor shortages, etc.) to maintain workflow.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

• Frequent to constant standing, walking
• Occasional to frequent bending, stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, climbing
• Occasionally carrying products weighing 5 pounds to 50 pounds 
• Occasional to frequent repetitive hand motions (i.e., writing)
• High degree of pressure to meet production schedules
• Constant exposure to product fumes such as onions, peppers, etc.
• Exposure to chemicals such as chlorine etc.
• Constant exposure to varying degrees of temperature, 45 degrees or less.
• Must have flexibility with schedule: Hours, Weekends, and Holidays.
• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Fresh Foods/CPG Experience
• Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent Industry Experience 
• 2+ years Operations Experience
• Basic skills in Microsoft Office, Outlook, Excel, Word & PowerPoint 
• Leadership qualities (positively affect/influence others/delegate responsibility) 
• Excellent verbal, written, and general communication skills
• Possession of key competencies, including conflict management, business negotiation, organization, and decision-making

COMPANY BENEFITS/PERKS

• 401(k)
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance, and more
• Paid Time Off (PTO)

The company (Pero) reserves the right to alter, amend, expand or contract these duties and responsibilities as the companies needs evolve.