Commissary Production Manager

Role Summary The Production Manager is responsible for the day-to-day execution of handmade soap manufacturing, ensuring production plans are met safely, efficiently, and to quality standards. This role translates production schedules into daily work, manages hourly staff, and drives consistency across batching, curing, cutting, finishing, and rework. This role balances artisan craftsmanship with disciplined execution. Key Responsibilities Production Execution Own daily production execution against the approved production calendar Execute batch sizing, sequencing, and labor allocation Ensure SOPs are followed across all production stages Quality & Yield Track production yields and identify root causes of loss or defects Lead rework and defect resolution in partnership with Inventory and Quality Maintain QC standards during mixing, pouring, curing, and finishing Safety & Compliance Ensure safe handling of lye, fragrances, essential oils, and botanicals Enforce OSHA and chemical safety standards Lead incident reporting and corrective actions Team Leadership Assign daily work to production staff Coach and develop hourly employees Lead training and cross-skilling initiatives Provide performance feedback and improvement plans Continuous Improvement Identify process improvements to increase throughput and consistency Partner with the Commissary Director on efficiency initiatives Support waste reduction and labor optimization efforts Success Measures Daily production attainment vs. plan Yield and rework rates Safety and incident metrics Labor efficiency and engagement SOP adherence and audit results Qualifications & Experience Education Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Operations, Industrial Technology, or a related field preferred Equivalent hands-on production leadership experience strongly considered Experience 3–6+ years of hands-on manufacturing or production leadership experience Direct experience managing hourly production teams in a physical manufacturing environment Demonstrated ownership of daily production schedules, batch execution, and labor planning Experience with yield tracking, defect reduction, and rework management Industry & Technical Knowledge Familiarity with batch-based production processes Experience working with SOPs, work instructions, and production documentation Knowledge of basic quality control processes Comfort working in environments involving chemicals, fragrances, oils, or temperature-controlled processes OSHA and shop-floor safety awareness Leadership & Skills Strong floor presence and ability to lead in real time Clear and direct communication with hourly staff Coaching mindset with experience training and cross-skilling employees Ability to escalate risks and issues early and constructively Bias for action and continuous improvement