Production Manager

Griffith Foods is the caring, creative product development partner helping food companies meet the evolving needs of consumers while sustaining the planet. As a family business founded in 1919 and headquartered in Alsip, Illinois USA, Griffith Foods is known for true, collaborative innovation guided by their Purpose of “We Blend Care and Creativity to Nourish the World”. The company’s product capabilities range from seasonings and marinades to coating systems and sauces that are better for people and better for the planet. For more information, visit www.griffithfoods.com.

Key Responsibilities

1. Production Planning & Execution

• Manage production planning and ensure effective execution of the production plan.
• Create and maintain master data in ERP, including routings and cost roll-ups.
• Monitor plant efficiency metrics and ensure timely reporting.
• Ensure optimum utilisation of materials, machinery, and manpower.
• Adapt production plans based on changing business requirements and resource availability.
• Allocate resources effectively, including machinery and manpower.
• Minimise inventory losses by reducing in-process losses and stock variances.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives at the shop-floor level.

2. Plant Operations & Warehouse Management

• Manage warehouse operations and ensure effective reporting.
• Ensure smooth coordination with cross-functional departments to support uninterrupted plant operations.
• Coordinate effectively with Plant Maintenance to maximise equipment uptime.
• Manage outbound logistics, including contracting, monitoring, and reporting.
• Ensure adherence to defined operational processes and standards.

3. Quality, Health, Safety & Environment

• Implement Health & Safety policies and procedures across the plant.
• Ensure compliance with environmental policies and procedures.
• Execute policies, programs, and procedures to ensure products are manufactured in accordance with defined quality parameters.

4. People & Manpower Management

• Manage talent development for plant employees, including training, work allocation, performance appraisal, and employee development.
• Address employee grievances and resolve workplace issues.
• Manage manpower contractors, including staffing, contracting, legal compliance, attendance, and reporting.
• Ensure effective manpower utilisation in line with operational requirements.

5. Stakeholder & Cross-functional Coordination

• Work closely with internal stakeholders to ensure smooth plant operations.
• Coordinate with external manpower contractors, logistics service providers, and ERP support teams.
• Demonstrate flexibility in managing uncertain operating environments, including changing customer requirements, raw material availability, and manpower constraints.
• Proactively revise production plans in response to changing business and resource requirements.

Reporting Structure & Key Interfaces

Internal Stakeholders

• Reports to: Plant Manager
• Directly Supervises: Production Executives and Shop-floor Manpower
• Key Internal Interfaces:Plant MaintenanceQualityPurchasePlanningCostingR&DCustomer Support

External Stakeholders

• Manpower Contractors
• Logistics Service Providers
• ERP Support Team

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or Diploma in any discipline, preferably Food Technology or a related stream.
• 10–15 years of relevant experience.
• Experience working with cross-functional departments.
• Experience working in an ERP environment.

Language Skills

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to prepare routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to communicate effectively with groups of employees.

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to solve practical problems and manage situations with limited standardisation.
• Ability to interpret instructions provided in written, verbal, diagrammatic, or schedule formats.

Computer Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Advanced Excel knowledge.
• Working experience in an ERP environment.

Work Environment

• The role involves working in both office and plant environments.
• The plant environment may include exposure to moving mechanical parts, dampness, and dust.
• Noise levels in the plant are generally moderate, with hearing protection required in designated areas.
• The office environment is generally quiet.

Competency Requirements

1. Collaborates

Builds effective teams and works collaboratively towards organisational goals. Fosters cooperation among team members and across departments.

2. Drives Vision and Purpose

Demonstrates a clear understanding of organisational purpose and values. Challenges the status quo, champions new initiatives, acts as a catalyst for change, and encourages others to embrace necessary changes.

3. Values Differences

Fosters an inclusive environment that respects and values individual differences. Encourages and supports diverse perspectives within teams.

4. Cultivates Innovation

Generates useful, new, improved, or unique ideas. Encourages diverse thinking to promote innovation and continuous improvement.

5. Customer Focus

Ensures activities are directed towards meeting customer expectations in terms of delivery and quality. Identifies opportunities to enhance customer satisfaction.

6. Ensures Accountability

Holds self and team accountable for commitments and results. Demonstrates urgency, drives issues to closure, and persists despite challenges or obstacles.

7. Instils Trust

Builds confidence and trust through consistent actions. Addresses conflicts and disagreements constructively, encourages open discussions, and works towards collaborative resolutions.

8. Self-Development

Actively seeks opportunities for learning, growth, and new challenges through formal and informal development channels. Demonstrates personal commitment to continuous improvement.