Production Operations Manager - Honey Processing & Packaging
World Honey Market, LLC | Sanderson, Florida (On-Site)
Please only apply if you live in the Greater Jacksonville area
Lead Production Operations for America's Growing Vertical Honey Company
World Honey Market, LLC seeks a Production Operations Manager to oversee our honey processing and packaging facility. With 25,000+ colonies producing premium honey for major retailers, we need a supply chain and production expert to optimize our manufacturing operations.
The Opportunity
- Production leadership : Manage end-to-end honey processing and bottling operations
- Supply chain ownership : Control raw material procurement and inventory management
- Scale operations : Optimize production for current 1M+ lbs annual output with growth to 4M+ lbs
- Direct impact : Your efficiency improvements directly affect company profitability
About World Honey Market
We control the entire honey supply chain from hive to shelf. Our production facility in Sanderson, Florida processes raw honey from our 25,000+ colonies and partner apiaries into retail-ready products for major big box stores and small local retailers. We're expanding through acquisitions and need production excellence to support our growth.
What You'll Do
Production Management
Oversee daily honey processing, filtering, and bottling operationsManage production scheduling to meet retail customer demands and delivery windowsEnsure product quality standards and consistency across all SKUsOptimize production line efficiency and minimize downtimeImplement and maintain food safety protocols (HACCP, SQF, FDA compliance)Manage equipment maintenance schedules and coordinate repairsSupply Chain & Inventory
Forecast and order raw honey requirements from company apiaries and external suppliersManage bulk honey inventory (drums, totes) and optimize storage utilizationCoordinate raw material purchasing (bottles, caps, labels, packaging materials)Maintain optimal inventory levels - minimize carrying costs while preventing stockoutsNegotiate with suppliers for packaging materials and production suppliesImplement inventory tracking systems and maintain accurate recordsTeam Leadership
Lead production team of 3-5 employees across multiple shiftsHire, train, and develop production staffCreate and maintain production SOPs and training materialsManage scheduling to align workforce with production demandsFoster safety-first culture and maintain OSHA complianceConduct performance reviews and manage disciplinary actionsContinuous Improvement
Analyze production metrics and identify efficiency opportunitiesImplement lean manufacturing principles to reduce wasteLead cost reduction initiatives in packaging and materialsDevelop KPIs and reporting for production performanceCoordinate with Director of Finance on cost analysis and budgetingWhat We're Looking For
Required Experience :
Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Operations Management, Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, or related field5+ years production management experience in food manufacturing ( required )Proven experience managing 10+ production employeesStrong knowledge of food safety regulations and quality systems (HACCP & SQF)Experience with inventory management and supply chain optimization (Quickbooks & Fishbowl)Proficiency in production planning and scheduling softwarePreferred Qualifications :
Experience in honey, syrup, or viscous liquid processingKnowledge of bottling / packaging line operationsLean Six Sigma certificationExperience with ERP / MRP systemsForklift certificationEssential Skills :
Production expertise : Deep understanding of manufacturing processes and efficiencySupply chain acumen : Ability to forecast, plan, and optimize inventoryLeadership : Proven ability to build and motivate production teamsProblem-solving : Quick resolution of production issues and bottlenecksData-driven : Use metrics and analysis to drive decisionsQuality focus : Commitment to food safety and product excellenceCommunication : Interface effectively with customers, suppliers, and leadershipKey Performance Metrics
You'll be measured on :
Production output and efficiency (cases per labor hour)Inventory turns and carrying costsOrder fulfillment rate and on-time deliveryProduct quality metrics and customer complaintsSafety incidents and complianceCost per unit producedWaste reduction and yield improvementWork Environment
Location : Production facility in Sanderson, FLRequired to be on-site full-time, no relocation assistance availableSchedule : Monday-Friday with occasional weekends during peak seasonsPhysical requirements : Ability to stand for extended periods, lift 50+ lbsEnvironment : Food production facility with varying temperaturesCritical Requirements
Must understand viscous liquid handling and processingExperience with manual and automated bottle filling equipment (preferably honey / syrup)Deep understanding of HACCP & SQF procedures and auditsKnowledge of FDA food labeling requirementsUnderstanding of shelf-life and product stabilityExperience managing seasonal production variationsWhy Join Our Team?
Lead production for authentic All-American honey operationModern facility with growth investment plannedDirect reporting to senior leadershipImplement your vision for operational excellenceStable, growing company with expansion opportunitiesTo Apply
Send resume and cover letter including :
Specific food manufacturing experienceExamples of production improvements you've implementedYour experience with supply chain optimizationSalary requirementsAvailable start dateMust be able to work on-site in Sanderson, FL (approximately 45 minutes west of Jacksonville)
From our bees to your career : Where nature's sweetness meets professional excellence.
World Honey Market is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity and supporting American agriculture.
Direct Hiring Only - No Third-Party Recruiters - World Honey Market does not work with external recruiters, staffing agencies, or third-party hiring firms for any positions.
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