Production Manager

At Utz Quality Foods, we're looking for a hands-on and driven Production Manager to join our team in Goodyear, AZ. In this role, you'll lead daily production operations while driving operational excellence, product quality, team performance, and continuous improvement initiatives across the production floor.

With a strong focus on Lean manufacturing principles and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), this role supports efficiency, waste reduction, equipment reliability, and employee development while maintaining high standards for safety, food safety, and compliance.

Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership presence and operational support across all shifts as needed to support business demands and production continuity
• Lead daily production activities to meet production schedules while maintaining high standards for quality, safety, food safety, and cost efficiency
• Partner closely with HR and Talent teams on staffing strategies, workforce planning, employee engagement, and associate relations
• Build strong communication and collaboration across departments, including processing, packaging, and support teams
• Monitor labor utilization, crew sizing, and operational performance metrics to improve productivity and line efficiency
• Apply Lean manufacturing methodologies, including waste elimination, root cause analysis, and standard work practices to drive continuous improvement
• Drive TPM initiatives by partnering with maintenance and operations teams to improve equipment reliability and operational uptime
• Oversee training and development programs across all shifts to ensure employees are properly trained, engaged, and set up for success
• Coach and develop supervisors and frontline employees through leadership support, accountability, and performance management practices
• Champion waste reduction initiatives, including film and packaging waste improvement programs
• Evaluate production processes and identify innovative solutions to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality
• Support and sustain Integrated Work Systems (IWS), reinforcing KPI ownership and operational standards
• Promote and model a strong safety-first culture while ensuring compliance with GMPs, food safety standards, and SQF requirements
• Support overall plant objectives through collaboration, problem-solving, and operational leadership

Requirements:

• 5+ years of processing and packaging equipment experience
• Strong knowledge of packaging and processing operations in a manufacturing environment
• Experience with Lean manufacturing, TPM, or continuous improvement systems preferred
• Working knowledge of D365 and Redzone preferred
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and production planning skills
• Leadership and supervisory experience with the ability to motivate and develop teams
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments
• Flexibility to support business needs across multiple shifts as needed
• Ability to perform moderate lifting and occasional skid pulling
• Bilingual is strongly preferred, but not required

External Recruitment Process:

• Easy Application (5 mins): Introduce yourself and answer a few key questions to get started.
• Engaging Chat Interview (20-25 mins): Share your experiences in an online chat, highlighting how your values align with ours.
• Live Interview: Selected candidates will meet with the hiring manager to explore their alignment with the team and overall Utz company culture.

Continuously Pursuing Excellence!

Here at Utz, we have a passion for exciting and delighting consumers with delicious snack foods made from high quality ingredients. After over a century with a strong family heritage, our diverse portfolio of brands includes Utz, Zapp's, Boulder Canyon, and On the Border. Our associates are the reason for the success of this company, so it is important we provide a supportive, caring and inclusive environment that offers opportunities for career growth and advancement. We also help take care of our associates by providing benefits, resources, and programs that ensure they live their healthiest lives. Our benefit package includes medical, dental, and vision plans, an employer match 401k, profit sharing plan, employee stock purchase plan and much more. Join our world class team and help us become the fastest growing pure-play U.S. snacking company of scale!

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

• 7+ years proven sales experience in a related position within the consumer products goods industry with direct account responsibility.
• 3+ years of experience utilizing syndicated data.
• Must possess excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate several sources of data to develop actionable insights.
• This position requires extensive use of computer equipment. Must have a demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft business software to include Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook. Familiarity with Nielsen or IRI programs is preferred.
• Requires a valid driver's license.