Director of Production

Director of Production

Competitive Benefits • Onsite Fitness Center • Product Discounts

A Little About Us:

Swanson has been dishin’ out vitamins and supplements straight from the heartland for 55 years and counting. We offer grounded, realistic approaches and remedies for healthier living that have been passed down longer than grandma’s not-so-secret recipes. We’re looking for folks to help us leave the world a little bit healthier than how we found it, and in return we’ll offer a satisfying career that ensures a solid work-life balance, competitive benefits package for full-time employees and some nifty rewards for all employees through our Wellness Program.  

Summary:

The Director of Production oversees the Packaging (Bottling) and Manufacturing (Weighing, Blending, Encapsulation) operations. Role is responsible to ensure a safe and efficient work environment, drive continuous improvement, and ensure compliance with UL, NSF, Hala, Organic and cGMP standards. This role involves building and implementing comprehensive training programs, maintaining state-of-the-art equipment, and analyzing data to inform decisions. The Director of Production will also be responsible for setting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), managing the operating budget, and preparing the capital expenditure budget.

Essential Responsibilities:

1. Ensure departments maintain high levels of safety, product quality, accuracy, efficiency, and effectiveness in accordance with cGMP, NSF, UL, Hala, and Organic guidelines and best practices.
2. Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive training programs for all production staff. Ensure that all employees are properly trained and following procedures and safety protocols.
3. Develop and maintain data management systems and forecasting tools. Must be able to build and interpret data models with available data to make decisions and process improvements. 
4. Monitor daily back orders, develop processes to forecast and minimize out-of-stock and multi-ship situations. Ensure scheduling is balanced between meeting deadlines and maintaining productivity standards.  Act as productivity expert within the Operations team.
5. Plan, set and achieve departmental and company goals. Demonstrate flexibility, creativity and initiative to lead and maintain an effective team.  Lead using a continuous improvement mindset.
6. Collaborate with Purchasing, Receiving, Quality, Facilities, Process Engineering, HR, and Shipping departments to ensure departments are meeting customer service expectations as well as ensuring needs are met as internal customers.
7. Responsible for ensuring all equipment is properly maintained and operated.  
8. Develop and manage departmental operating and capital budgets. Define headcount and operating requirements, propose and execute capital expenditure projects to improve customer experience or cost controls.
9. Lead and direct all department personnel to meet company goals, ensuring high job satisfaction while maintaining a safe and effective work environment.
10. Lead and direct production scheduler to ensure proper balance of productivity and on time product delivery.
11. Conduct regular team meetings with all shifts to keep team members informed as to department and company performance, plans and progress.
12. Actively participate in the Sanitation Team.
13. Maintain a positive and professional working relationship with peers, management, and support resources, with a constant commitment to teamwork and exemplary customer service.
14. Conducts self in the presence of customers and community so as to present a professional image of Swanson Health Products (SHP).
15. Other duties as assigned.
    

Competencies Required:

• Excellent communication and leadership skills
• Previous manufacturing and leadership experience
• Mechanical background preferred
• Team-building experience
• Proficient in data analytics
• Ability to rely on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Manages subordinate supervisor(s) who supervise employee(s); is responsible for the overall direction, coordination and evaluation of these units. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor Degree in Management, Engineering or Operations required and a minimum of 5 years experience in management of operations. Or; an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and duties of the job as listed above.

Travel:

Ability to travel up to 10%.