JOB TITLE: Production Manager
LOCATION: Red Truck Orchards Production Facility; 8233 N Matheson Rd, Northport, MI
REPORTS TO: Director of Operations
POSITION TYPE: Full Time, Salaried
ANTICIPATED START DATE: October 1, 2025
DEADLINE TO APPLY: Sunday, September 14, 2025
UPDATED: August 21, 2025 by Director of Operations
ABOUT RED TRUCK ORCHARDS
At Red Truck Orchards, our purpose is to strengthen and support our community of local cherry growers: our family, our neighbors, and our friends. Our farm thrives on the collaboration of local growers, bringing innovation and exceptional products to the market.
As a family-owned company, Red Truck Orchards thrives via collaboration with our community of small farms. Each bottle of our cherry vinegar represents our commitment to land stewardship, exceptional quality, and securing the future of cherry farming in Leelanau and Grand Traverse with innovative new products.
Our passion is preservation, and our small team drives big impacts. We’re looking for a Production Manager to help us grow our productivity and deliver on our mission.
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES
As Production Manager, you'll steer the daily operations of our facility, managing hands-on processes from fermentation to shipping. You'll ensure precision, safety, and quality across every touchpoint while fostering a collaborative, clean, and “always tour ready” workspace.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading fermentation and fluid transfer operations
- Executing bottling workflows: rinsing, filling, labeling, sealing, and palletizing
- Managing inventory of raw ingredients and finished goods
- Overseeing warehousing, order fulfillment, and shipping
- Implementing cleaning protocols and SSOP compliance
- Conducting quality control and laboratory analysis
- Creating and managing daily production schedules
- Tracking KPIs and generating performance reports
- Performing preventative maintenance and equipment inspection
- Managing critical spares inventories
- Representing the company positively when interacting with visitors
- Maintaining safety, cleanliness, and regulatory compliance
- Adapting flexibly to support additional tasks as needed; this is a working orchard, after all!
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
You’re proactive, detail-oriented, and ready to take ownership in a dynamic food manufacturing environment. You have technical prowess, grit, and grace under pressure. We’d love to see:
- 3+ years of experience in food or beverage production
- Proven ability to lead manufacturing teams or manage complex manufacturing projects
- Familiarity with GMP, LO/TO, PPE, and safety protocols
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
- Strong attention to detail, organization, and communication
- Professionalism and tact with proprietary information and IP
- Self-motivated with a positive and proactive mindset
- Ability to lift up to 55 lbs and work in a physically active setting
- Flexible scheduling to meet production demands
EQUIPMENT & SYSTEMS USED:
- Pumps, hoses, tanks, valves, and fittings
- Bottling, labeling, and sealing equipment
- Pallet trucks, trailers, and warehouse stackers
- Compressed gas and glycol-based refrigeration systems
- Cleaning chemicals, lubricants, and materials handling tools
- Safety systems including oxygen monitors, fall restraint, and personal protective equipment.