Production Operations Manager - Honey Processing & Packaging

World Honey Market, LLC | Sanderson, Florida (On-Site)

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 operations
Manage production scheduling to meet retail customer demands and delivery windows
Ensure product quality standards and consistency across all SKUs
Optimize production line efficiency and minimize downtime
Implement and maintain food safety protocols (HACCP, SQF, FDA compliance)
Manage equipment maintenance schedules and coordinate repairs

Supply Chain & Inventory

Forecast and order raw honey requirements from company apiaries and external suppliers
Manage bulk honey inventory (drums, totes) and optimize storage utilization
Coordinate raw material purchasing (bottles, caps, labels, packaging materials)
Maintain optimal inventory levels - minimize carrying costs while preventing stockouts
Negotiate with suppliers for packaging materials and production supplies
Implement inventory tracking systems and maintain accurate records

Team Leadership

Lead production team of 3-5 employees across multiple shifts
Hire, train, and develop production staff
Create and maintain production SOPs and training materials
Manage scheduling to align workforce with production demands
Foster safety-first culture and maintain OSHA compliance
Conduct performance reviews and manage disciplinary actions

Continuous Improvement

Analyze production metrics and identify efficiency opportunities
Implement lean manufacturing principles to reduce waste
Lead cost reduction initiatives in packaging and materials
Develop KPIs and reporting for production performance
Coordinate with Director of Finance on cost analysis and budgeting

What We're Looking For

Required Experience:

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Operations Management, Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, or related field
5+ years production management experience in food manufacturing (required)
Proven experience managing 10+ production employees
Strong 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 software

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in honey, syrup, or viscous liquid processing
Knowledge of bottling/packaging line operations
Lean Six Sigma certification
Experience with ERP/MRP systems
Forklift certification

Essential Skills:

Production expertise: Deep understanding of manufacturing processes and efficiency
Supply chain acumen: Ability to forecast, plan, and optimize inventory
Leadership: Proven ability to build and motivate production teams
Problem-solving: Quick resolution of production issues and bottlenecks
Data-driven: Use metrics and analysis to drive decisions
Quality focus: Commitment to food safety and product excellence
Communication: Interface effectively with customers, suppliers, and leadership

Key Performance Metrics

You'll be measured on:

Production output and efficiency (cases per labor hour)
Inventory turns and carrying costs
Order fulfillment rate and on-time delivery
Product quality metrics and customer complaints
Safety incidents and compliance
Cost per unit produced
Waste reduction and yield improvement

Work Environment

Location: Production facility in Sanderson, FL
Required to be on-site full-time, no relocation assistance available
Schedule: Monday-Friday with occasional weekends during peak seasons
Physical requirements: Ability to stand for extended periods, lift 50+ lbs
Environment: Food production facility with varying temperatures

Critical Requirements

Must understand viscous liquid handling and processing
Experience with manual and automated bottle filling equipment (preferably honey/syrup)
Deep understanding of HACCP & SQF procedures and audits
Knowledge of FDA food labeling requirements
Understanding of shelf-life and product stability
Experience managing seasonal production variations

Why Join Our Team?

Lead production for authentic All-American honey operation
Modern facility with growth investment planned
Direct reporting to senior leadership
Implement your vision for operational excellence
Stable, growing company with expansion opportunities

To Apply

Send resume and cover letter including:

Specific food manufacturing experience
Examples of production improvements you've implemented
Your experience with supply chain optimization
Salary requirements
Available start date

Must 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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World Honey Market, LLC

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Production Operations Manager - Honey Processing & Packaging