Aseptic Food Production Manager - Frozen Fruit Company - Your SmartSource

Company Profile:

Frozen fruit production company packing frozen pasteurized / aseptic single strength and concentrated strawberry, raspberry and blueberry purees for distribution to its customers nationally.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Thermal Particulate Production Manager is responsible for supervising all production shifts for the Thermal Particulates line, specifically overseeing production of aseptic (sterile) products within the company’s food processing facility, while ensuring the efficient and safe operation of aseptic equipment through maintenance of the highest quality standards. The ideal candidate will lead a team, manage resources and enforce food safety regulations. 

Duties / Responsibilities: 

Lead and motivate a team of technicians, including providing company guideline training in connection with safety and quality, through clear communication performance expectations;

Ensure compliance with food safety regulations within HACCP and FDA guidelines; maintain accurate records of compliance efforts;

Enforce safety protocols and procedures to create a safe working environment, including training employees on safe practices and responding to safety incidents;

Ensure products meet quality and safety standards by conducting regular inspections, implementing quality control protocols and addressing any deviations;

Partner with Engineering and Maintenance departments to ensure production equipment achieves optimal performance, with minimal downtime;

Complete production inspections, checks and paperwork in a professional manner, while adhering to established standards;

Efficiently allocate resources, including labor and raw materials, to meet production targets, match customer specifications and minimize waste;

Regularly review production costs; analyze and address variances in excess of standards;

Oversee inventory levels of raw materials and finished products;

Identify, report and resolve quality and mechanical issues on the production line; document resolutions and implement preventative measures;

Identify opportunities for process improvement, cost reduction and quality enhancement; implement changes as necessary;

Collaborate with other departments, including Procurement, Quality Assurance and Production Planning, to coordinate production schedules and address potential issues;

Create and maintain SOPs for all production processes, in partnership with Food Safety Analyst; [CH1] 

Supervise the formulation and filling processes for aseptic products, in compliance with strict hygiene and sterility protocols;

Oversee all functions related to cleaning and sanitizing equipment and the work area, to meet industry standards;

Stay updated with industry trends and advancements in aseptic production techniques; research and attend trainings and certifications to drive innovation and improvement. 

Qualifications: 

At least 5 years of proven experience in food production, specifically aseptic production, within the frozen food or beverage industry;

Strong knowledge of food safety regulations and quality control standards involving HACCP and the FDA;

Proven experience in aseptic techniques, cGMP regulations and quality management systems;

Proven related leadership and team management experience in a similar role;

Astute oral and written communication and interpersonal skills;

Exceptional organizational, time management, attention to detail, accuracy, multi-tasking, problem-solving and follow-through skills;

Proficiency in the MS Office suite of products and industry-related software applications;

Ability to learn new software applications easily;

Ability to work well alone and within a team environment, in a fast-paced environment;

Ability to lift up to 30 pounds in weight;

Bilingual English/Spanish speaker preferred. 

Compensation:

$112,241 - $150,444 annual base salary DOE, for this full-time, exempt position. 

Benefits:

Medical, dental, vision premiums paid 100% for the employee; 65% for dependents;

FSA account;

80 hours of paid time off annually on an accrual basis;

64 hours of annual paid sick leave allotted at date of hire and on anniversary date;

9 paid public holidays;

401(K) with an annual 3% Safe Harbor company match;

Life and disability insurance. 

Working Hours:

Monday – Saturday on a variable schedule during production season; otherwise, Monday – Friday 9:00AM – 5:00PM. 

Location:

Santa Maria, CA – onsite position