Director of Production
Food Manufacturing | Frederick, MD
Reports to: Plant Manager
A well‑established, high‑volume food manufacturing facility is seeking a Director of Production to lead all production operations within a fast‑paced, industrial bakery environment. This role is responsible for driving production performance across safety, quality, cost, and service while building strong frontline leadership and a culture of continuous improvement.
This is a visible, hands‑on leadership role for someone who thrives on the production floor and has experience running complex, manufacturing operations — ideally within bakery or fresh food production.
What You'll Be Responsible For
- Lead end‑to‑end production operations across all shifts and lines
- Own production planning, execution, and performance against volume, quality, and delivery targets
- Build, coach, and develop production leaders and frontline teams
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, waste reduction, and uptime
- Partner with Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Warehouse teams to ensure smooth operations
- Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety standards
- Monitor and report KPIs including OEE, waste, yield, downtime, safety, and quality
- Manage labor and operating costs and execute cost‑reduction initiatives
What We’re Looking For
- 7+ years of experience in food manufacturing, with senior‑level production leadership responsibility
- Strong background in high‑volume, industrial production (bakery experience strongly preferred)
- Proven ability to lead and motivate large, multi‑shift teams
- Solid understanding of food safety and regulatory standards (SQF, HACCP, FDA)
- Experience driving lean manufacturing and continuous improvement
- Data‑driven, decisive, and comfortable balancing strategy with hands‑on execution
Work Environment & Benefits
- Industrial manufacturing environment requiring regular time on the production floor
- Competitive base salary and comprehensive benefits package
- Opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a stable, growing operation