Production Manager

Job DetailsJob Location: Hartford Bakery Inc - Evansville, IN 47710Position Type: Full TimeEducation Level: 2 Year DegreeTravel Percentage: Up to 10%Job Shift: AnyJob Category: ManufacturingProduction Manager

Full-Time | Exempt | On-site | Evansville, IN

The Production Manager reports to the Plant Manager and is responsible for implementing best practices and standards for product and processes to promote efficient production of consistent quality bread or roll products. This position has direct responsibility of ensuring all work activities under its span of control are performed with attention to the highest standards of food quality, safe processes, compliance with all appropriate legal requirements and a focus on continuous process improvement.

About Lewis Bakeries

Lewis Bakeries is a family-owned and operated company founded by three brothers in 1925 in Anna, Illinois. Lewis primarily bakes loaf bread, buns, and rolls under trusted brands including Bunny Bread, Lewis Bake Shop, Healthy Life, and other regional favorites.

Today, Lewis Bakeries operates facilities in LaPorte, Fort Wayne, Vincennes, and Evansville, Indiana, as well as Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Our heritage has been built on quality, reliability, and a commitment to our customers since 1925. Every day, the Lewis family and our dedicated associates rise to the challenge of baking the very best bakery products while maintaining a forward-thinking passion for growth and innovation.

What Makes Us Great

At Lewis Bakeries, we believe in rewarding our employees with a comprehensive compensation and benefits package that supports their health, financial well-being, and professional growth.

Exceptional Total Rewards Package

In addition to a competitive salary, employees enjoy a benefits package that provides significant financial value, including:

Medical coverage with weekly premiums as low as $10 and a low-deductible plan design
Comprehensive dental coverage, including orthodontic benefits for dependent children
Company-funded pension plan and a 401(k) with company matching contributions
Company-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance
Paid vacation time and paid holidays
Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates
Professional development opportunities and long-term career growth

Additional reasons employees choose Lewis Bakeries:

Family-owned company with over 100 years of baking excellence
Stable and growing organization with a long history of success
Collaborative culture that values employee engagement, safety, and continuous improvement
Opportunity to make a meaningful impact as a key member of the bakery leadership team
Opportunities for growth, development, and career advancement

Key Responsibilities

Implement company standards for formulas, scaling weights, pan sizes, bag sizes, bake times, and all production control processes for bread and roll products
Train, coach, oversee, provide feedback and assess Production staff and overall bakery production performance
Strong leadership skills with the proven ability to set a vision, manage change, develop others, and strategically plan for continuous improvement
Ability to plan and coordinate use of manpower, ingredients and equipment to ensure efficient production of consistent quality products
Direct resources of plant and equipment toward the most efficient production of baked goods
Coordinate with Sanitation to ensure plants and equipment meet regulatory requirements for cleanliness and product safety
Implement best practices to achieve company standards on controllable costs
Promote safety through work procedures, and employee safety programs
Ability to trouble shoot equipment to ensure optimum product quality is achieved
Ensure that consistent quality product is provided to Sales on a timely basis
Ensure that all union contractual obligations are fulfilled
Coordinate and implement company policies and procedures in all areas
Ensure compliance of all Local, State & Federal regulations and recall procedures
Evaluate product quality to ensure compliance with established standards
Collaborative and able to build/maintain partnering relationships with other departments and key managers
Demonstrated ability to function successfully in a fast paced, changing work environment
Coordinates the daily and weekly production schedule with the Plant Manager.

QualificationsQualifications

Required

Minimum of 5 years of work experience in a high-speed manufacturing environment required, preferably baked goods
Minimum of 5 years of work experience in a management position
Knowledge of food safety standards, GMP’s, and production processes
Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends or overtime as needed
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of equipment utilized in high-volume bakery manufacturing, including how machinery functions within each phase of the baking process
Possesses a strong understanding of ingredient behavior and the critical relationship between formulation, time and temperature to ensure product consistency and quality.
Proficient in basic computer applications, including Microsoft Excel and Word, with the capacity to learn and operate additional company-specific systems and manufacturing software platforms
Capable of navigating dynamic production environments, troubleshooting unexpected issues, and mediating workplace conflicts to maintain productivity and morale

Preferred

Experience managing a unionized workforce is highly desirable
Completion of American Institute of Baking (AIB) in-residence baking science and technology course and AIB Science of Baking correspondence course strongly desired (not required)
Familiarity with BRC and BSCI food safety standards is highly preferred.
Ability to work independently while collaborating across cross-functional teams.
Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving business environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Lewis Bakeries is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or status as a qualified individual with a disability or Vietnam era or other protected veteran status.

All candidates must successfully complete a background check, drug test and reference check for further consideration.

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