Production Manager

IRCA is a prominent international provider of semi-finished ingredients for the bakery, pastry, and gelato markets. They cater to independent producers as well as large food manufacturers, including consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies. The company's core product offerings consist of chocolate, chocolate decorations, creams, pastry mixes, gelato ingredients, and various other bakery and pastry ingredients. Headquartered in Italy, IRCA was acquired by Advent International, a global private equity firm, in July 2022. The company has demonstrated a strong history of growth over the past decade. As part of its growth strategy, IRCA made two bolt-on acquisitions in 2022. They acquired Cesarin, a provider of candied fruits, and Anastasi, a supplier of pistachio ingredients. These acquisitions expanded IRCA's product portfolio and market reach. More recently, IRCA acquired the leading manufacturer of sweet and cereal products in Europe and the US. The target company focuses on high-value specialty ingredients for the Food Manufacturers segment. Their product range includes sweet particulates, chocolate confections, baked inclusions, variegates, and fruit purées. This deal, successfully completed in March of 2023, is a transformative move for IRCA, establishing them as a global leader in the semi-finished ingredients industry. With this acquisition, IRCA has a combined revenue of €1 billion in 2023 and a presence in 22 manufacturing facilities across Europe, the US, and Vietnam. This expanded manufacturing footprint and diversified product portfolio positions IRCA as a key player in the market, serving a wide range of customers in the bakery, pastry, and gelato sectors, as well as food manufacturers. Irca Group USA LLC offers career growth opportunities as well as competitive compensation and benefits: Medical, Dental, & Vision, 401(k) matching, Paid Vacation, and Holidays, Employee Education Tuition Reimbursement Program. Irca Group USA LLC is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Annual Salary Range of $120K - $140K for Employees Located in Illinois. The “base salary range” provided above is a good faith estimate of what we expect to pay for this position. The range provided is for Illinois employees as Irca Group is required by Illinois State Law to post pay rates. Irca Group reserves the right to pay outside of the given range based on a variety of factors including but not limited to candidate skills and experience, complexity of the job, budgetary factors, and location/geography. Irca Group conducts regular reviews of compensation ranges and therefore reserves the right to alter this range at any given time. Essential Responsibilities: Oversees food production of a 24 hour / 3 shift operation. Ensure a safe working environment, strive for world class safety standards. Ownership in the production of safe, quality food and program compliance. Efficiently execute the production schedule to meet customer needs. Establishes and promotes Performance Management initiatives; Establishes KPIs to manage processes & offers expertise in development of any new process manufacturing KPIs. Leverages process and organizational knowledge to support business goals. Builds relationship within Irca Group organization to optimize available resources. Develop and maintain efficient SOPs in collaboration with department leaders. Develop and maintain qualified personnel within the production department, both Supervision and Operators. Communicate and enforce regulatory & Irca Group standards within the plant. Drive operational efficiency initiatives and a continuous improvement mindset. Manage the plant production department within budget. Promote a positive working environment. Develop a data and process driven department with a sense of urgency. Education & Experience Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field preferred. 7+ years of manufacturing leadership experience required; food manufacturing experience preferred. Proven experience managing production teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, food safety, GMPs, and continuous improvement methodologies. Lean Manufacturing and Operational Excellence experience preferred. Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills. Proven ability to drive results, improve operational performance, and lead change. Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities. Computer proficiency required. Ability to adapt and lead effectively in a dynamic manufacturing environment. Bilingual in Spanish a plus Other Requirements: Demonstrates being both trustworthy and trusting, champions the values of the organization and challenges unacceptable behaviors; Leads by example; Shares knowledge and recognizes success. Develops strategies for growth, acts with courage, & communicates a clear vision for the future of Irca Group. Demonstrates an ability to identify and drive continuous improvement initiatives and change management Invests time in people development for optimum performance, creating high performing teams, empowers others to be successful.

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      "text": "Essential Responsibilities:",
      "content": "\n<li>Oversees food production of a 24 hour / 3 shift operation.</li>\n<li>Ensure a safe working environment, strive for world class safety standards.</li>\n<li>Ownership in the production of safe, quality food and program compliance.</li>\n<li>Efficiently execute the production schedule to meet customer needs.</li>\n<li>Establishes and promotes Performance Management initiatives; Establishes KPIs to manage processes &amp; offers expertise in development of any new process manufacturing KPIs.</li>\n<li>Leverages process and organizational knowledge to support business goals.</li>\n<li>Builds relationship within Irca Group organization to optimize available resources.</li>\n<li>Develop and maintain efficient SOPs in collaboration with department leaders.</li>\n<li>Develop and maintain qualified personnel within the production department, both Supervision and Operators.</li>\n<li>Communicate and enforce regulatory &amp; Irca Group standards within the plant.</li>\n<li>Drive operational efficiency initiatives and a continuous improvement mindset.</li>\n<li>Manage the plant production department within budget.</li>\n<li>Promote a positive working environment.</li>\n<li>Develop a data and process driven department with a sense of urgency.</li>\n"
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      "text": "Education & Experience Requirements: ",
      "content": "<div>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field preferred.</li>\n<li>7+ years of manufacturing leadership experience required; food manufacturing experience preferred.</li>\n<li>Proven experience managing production teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.</li>\n<li>Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, food safety, GMPs, and continuous improvement methodologies.</li>\n<li>Lean Manufacturing and Operational Excellence experience preferred.</li>\n<li>Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.</li>\n<li>Proven ability to drive results, improve operational performance, and lead change.</li>\n<li>Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.</li>\n<li>Computer proficiency required.</li>\n<li>Ability to adapt and lead effectively in a dynamic manufacturing environment.</li>\n<li>Bilingual in Spanish a plus&nbsp;</li>\n\n</ul></div>"
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      "text": "Other Requirements:",
      "content": "\n<li>Demonstrates being both trustworthy and trusting, champions the values of the organization and challenges unacceptable behaviors; Leads by example; Shares knowledge and recognizes success.</li>\n<li>Develops strategies for growth, acts with courage, &amp; communicates a clear vision for the future of Irca Group.</li>\n<li>Demonstrates an ability to identify and drive continuous improvement initiatives and change management</li>\n<li>Invests time in people development for optimum performance, creating high performing teams, empowers others to be successful.</li>\n"
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