Production Manager

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. Since 1945, Wisconsin-based Johnsonville has proudly made our products in the U.S.A.! Our family-owned company has grown from a small butcher shop to the No. 1 national sausage brand. We employ 3,000+ members. Johnsonville products are enjoyed in 45 countries and served in 130 sports stadiums throughout the U.S.

Johnsonville, LLC

Production Harvest 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 Harvest 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 craveable 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.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement, striving for zero IFR year after year.
• Promote engagement and ownership among Members in safety, food safety, quality, cost, customer service, development, and Best Place to Work (BPTW) initiatives.
• Encourage personal learning and professional development to ensure Member growth and business success.

Operational Ownership & Strategy

• Own safety, quality, and productivity outcomes within your focus area.
• Develop and execute strategic plans and budgets in collaboration with the Operations Coordinator.
• Lead efforts to create and sustain readiness pipelines to support operational needs.
• Work closely with Team Leaders on hiring, onboarding, performance reviews, development, and disciplinary actions.

Process Improvement & Innovation

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, efficiency, and performance.
• Facilitate new product and technology implementation across the facility.
• Identify and share best practices across teams and the broader network.
• Strengthen supplier partnerships by optimizing cost, quality, and delivery efficiency.

Planning & Execution

• Collaborate with the Scheduler, Production Coordinators and Team Leader(s) to optimize weekly product scheduling.
• Facilitate daily tier meetings to track and improve key performance metrics (efficiency, yields, attainment, etc.).
• Maintain a strong floor presence to drive engagement, alignment, and accountability

Education:

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred; experience and business knowledge will be considered in lieu of degree completion

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a leadership/coaching role with significant involvement in developing members to greater levels of responsibility required
• Experience in the food industry is preferred
• Bi-lingual English and Spanish preferred

Skills and Competencies:

• Proven ability in developing and coaching others to greater levels of responsibility
• Experience using continuous improvement methodologies (5S, lean, Six Sigma, etc.) to improve products and processes
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in budgeting, capital planning, capacity planning and productivity pipeline projects
• Demonstrated communication and listening skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Commitment to personal growth
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve effectively and efficiently
• Ability to lead by example and involve others in the decision-making process
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks and be flexible by adjusting priorities
• Proven ability to motivate others and affect change; drive to achieve results
• Willing to take calculated risks
• Learning agility

Posting Date:                   March 19, 2025

Location:                          Holton, KS

Coach:                              Operations Coordinator

Member Status:               Fulltime, Salaried

Shift:                                 1st Shift; Typically, 6am-3pm

Travel:                               Up to 5-10% of your time

Reason for Posting:        Replacement

Benefits:                           Members have potential for a monthly bonus, 401k with a company match and profit sharing. 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! 

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 3,000 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.

We value the diversity of our workforce and we embrace the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment.  M/F/Vet/Disability

Johnsonville values the service Veterans and their family members have given to our country.  We support the hiring of returning service members and military spouses.