Production Manager
Holton, KS, US
At Johnsonville, our Members are responsible for everything! If you’re passionate about making a difference, we want you to help make our products, our processes, our communities and each other better. As part of our manufacturing leadership and support group, you’ll help ensure production and maintenance Members have the resources and support needed to work safely and efficiently. The group will also ensure the products we produce are of only the highest quality and ready for consumers to enjoy.
Johnsonville, LLC
Production Manager
Holton, KS
Position Overview
Johnsonville has a commitment to become the best company in the world by offering the highest quality products and maintaining a work environment that requires personal growth and superlative performance by each member. As the Production Coordinator, you will be responsible for coaching and developing members and team leaders. This position is involved in the planning and execution of manufacturing objectives to achieve company/facility goals in four end-states (safety, quality, cost, and service). You will leverage your skills and experience in the areas of leadership, continuous improvement, project management, and building people to develop strategies and tactics that will ensure successful production of the most cravable sausage in the world. You will act as a role model and educator of the Johnsonville Way thus facilitating this as “a way of life” within the Holton facility.
Responsibilities:
Leadership & Culture
- Exemplify and champion The Johnsonville Way daily.
- Champion the Reliability Excellence process and management systems to achieve superlative performance.
- Foster a culture of safety, ownership, and continuous improvement, striving for zero IFR year after year.
- Promote Member engagement and ownership in safety, food safety, quality, cost, customer service, development, and Best Place to Work (BPTW) initiatives.
- Support a culture of personal learning and professional development for Member growth and business success.
Operational Ownership & Strategy
- Own safety, quality, and productivity results in your area of focus.
- Collaborate with the Operations Coordinator to develop and execute strategic plans and budgets.
- Lead efforts to create and sustain readiness pipelines within the operation.
- Partner with Team Leaders on hiring, onboarding, performance reviews, development, and disciplinary actions.
Process Improvement & Innovation
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to elevate safety, efficiency, and performance.
- Lead cross-functional teams in the implementation of new products and technology.
- Share and implement best practices across the facility and network.
- Strengthen supplier partnerships by optimizing cost, quality, and delivery efficiency.
Planning & Execution
- Collaborate with the Scheduler and Team Leader(s) on weekly product scheduling within your area.
- Facilitate daily tier meetings to track and improve performance metrics (efficiency, yields, attainment, etc.).
- Maintain a strong floor presence to enhance engagement, alignment, and accountability.
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree required for external candidates; experience and business knowledge will be considered for internal candidates.
Experience:
- Minimum of 5 years experience in a leadership/coaching role with significant involvement in developing members to greater levels of responsibility, strongly preferred
- Experience in the food industry is preferred
- Bi-lingual English and Spanish preferred
Skills and Competencies:
- Proven ability to develop and coach others to higher levels of responsibility.
- Experience using continuous improvement methodologies (5S, Lean, Six Sigma, etc.).
- Demonstrated knowledge in budgeting, capital planning, capacity planning, and productivity pipeline projects.
- Strong communication, listening, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to lead by example and involve others in decision-making.
- Strong problem-solving skills and learning agility.
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks with flexibility.
- Willingness to take calculated risks and drive results.
Date: August 1, 2025
Location: Holton, KS
Coach: Operations Coordinator
Hours/Shift: 1st Shift; 6am to 3:30pm, with flexibility based on business needs.
Member Status: Full Time, Salaried
Travel: Less than 5% of your time
Reason for Posting: Replacement
Benefits: Members have potential for a monthly bonus and 401k with a company match. Members also have access to terrific benefits including affordable medical, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; disability and life insurance; and fertility and adoption assistance. Johnsonville also offers competitive paid time off, including paid parental time off and tuition reimbursement!
Referral Bonus: Refer a new part-time (operations only) or full-time member and you are eligible for a $1,000 referral reward! An additional premium of $1,000 ($2,000 total) will be offered for Team Leader and Sanitation members and $3,000 ($4,000 total) for Over-the Road Drivers or Maintenance. Referrals will be paid out after 6 months of service.
About our Company
Since 1945, our family-owned band of sausage-makers has invented better ways to make, eat and prepare crave-able sausage. Today, we are 4,000+ Members strong. We sell our famous sausage in all 50 United States and more than 40 countries. We have a culture built on the idea that if we make developing your talents our top priority, great business results will follow naturally. We call it The Johnsonville Way. It has been our secret sauce for decades, and we hope you get to experience it for yourself!
How to Apply:
External candidate: Apply on-line only at: careers.johnsonville.com
Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.
Johnsonville is an equal opportunity employer, including Vet/Disability.
We embrace the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including protected veteran and disability status.