Tea Production Manager

Plum Deluxe is a Portland-based tea company built on comfort, ritual, and community. Our teas are hand-blended in small batches right here in the Pacific Northwest. We're looking for the person who keeps that engine running.

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Production Manager to oversee our manufacturing operations. The primary objective of the Production Manager is to oversee the daily operations of the manufacturing side of the business. This includes maintaining and monitoring our systems, processes and procedures for optimal efficiency, adhering to purchasing and supply budgets, managing and assisting department staff as needed and working on special projects to increase the efficiencies and output capabilities of the manufacturing sector.

This position is a full time salaried position. Hours are generally scheduled between 8am-5pm Monday-Friday, but may include weekends as a flexible weekly schedule is required to meet ongoing production demands.

The position is based in our Portland, Oregon facility.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership

• You'll directly manage a team of 10 (and growing).
• Meet weekly with the CEO to set weekly goals, review progress and receive additional training to grow in their position.
• Oversee the schedule to ensure that the labor distribution meets the output demands and support them in making adjustments as needed to adhere to the payroll budget including proactively getting approval for, contacting and scheduling contractors.
• Perform monthly check-ins with departments. Support in hiring, training, reviewing, and disciplining staff as needed and maintaining all manufacturing employee files to ensure that they are up to date and accurately organized.
• Actively creates a psychologically safe environment for all staff members.
• Solve team member and customer issues in an effective and empowering way by proactively recognizing and addressing issues through being able to find the root of issues and being comfortable with addressing conflict in a direct and compassionate way that supports the individuals alongside the company service vision.
• Ensure your team delivers their weekly metrics on time for our team meeting.
• Assist team members with the planning of their quarterly objectives and support them in completing them in their allotted time frame.
• Develop cross-training programs and standardized documentation to improve employee development, operational consistency, and departmental flexibility while providing backup support as needed.
• Lead, manage, and hold the team accountable for achieving agreed upon goals.
• Coach and develop employees through regular feedback, training, and performance development.

Operations

• Integrates all major operating functions of the business. Ensures all team members are moving in the direction of the objectives and following all processes and protocols consistently.
• Develop an annual planning calendar in conjunction with CEO and Marketing department.
• Monitor and keep the planning calendar up to date and ensure that tasks happen according to the scheduled workflow.
• Maintain and continuously improve manufacturing systems, inventory software, production planning tools, and operational reporting.
• Monitor raw and finished goods inventory levels to ensure that items are consistently in stock and accurate in the inventory system.
• Ensure that regular inventory counts are scheduled, performed and necessary adjustments are made.
• Complete in-depth monthly reporting requirements to CEO as needed.
• Manage all contractors for the company, including work with landlord and repair persons.
• Act as primary contact and agent in charge for all FDA and ODA needs.
• Maintain and continuously improve the Food Safety Plan, HACCP program, SOPs, employee training documentation, and regulatory compliance records.
• Oversee and participate in daily operations of the production department as needed.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve SOPs, manufacturing documentation, and operational procedures.
• Evaluate manufacturing workflows and implement continuous improvement initiatives that increase efficiency, quality, and production capacity.
• Ensure manufacturing operations are conducted in accordance with company policies, food safety standards, and workplace safety requirements.
• Effectively and efficiently complete all projects assigned in the timeframes required.

Financial Management

• Accurately submit payroll and ensure adherence to payroll budgets.
• Be consistently aware of the income versus expenses of the company and ensure that all resources are being utilized in the most efficient way possible.
• Work with CEO to execute the business plan, achieving or exceeding planned P&L objectives.
• Purchase raw and hard goods according to company needs, budgets and timelines.
• Analyze manufacturing metrics, labor costs, purchasing trends, and departmental spending to provide recommendations that improve operational and financial performance.
• Ensure efficient deployment of all company resources utilized by the production department.
• Regularly assess metrics used to evaluate the company health through the manufacturing department lens to ensure that the most useful measurements are being made.

General

• Support team in completing general warehouse tasks as needed.
• Maintain clean and organized workspaces, following all current protocols.
• Track and report your department's results against our key operating metrics.
• Attend and lead our weekly leadership meeting, quarterly planning sessions, and annual planning.
• Support marketing and customer happiness team as needed.
• Own quarterly priority projects and ongoing tasks as assigned.

Physical Demand and Work Environment

This is a hands-on, on-the-floor leadership role. Expect to be on your feet for much of the day and to lift up to 50 lbs if production needs it.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's in engineering or a business field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• 3 years experience in manufacturing (food manufacturing preferred)
• 2 years experience in a supervisory and/or leadership role.
• Knowledge of FSMA and general food safety.
• Thorough knowledge of Google Workspace (Gmail, Sheets, Docs, Drive).
• Comfortable using digital communication tools like Asana and Slack.
• Strives to consistently maintain a positive attitude.
• Aptitude for maintaining details.
• Ability to self-advocate, self-motivate and follow directions well.
• Able to effectively manage multiple tasks and realign focus as needed without sacrificing work quality.
• Possess effective and strategic problem-solving skills.
• Possess strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Aptitude for learning processes quickly and executing with efficiency.
• Ability to work independently for long periods per day.
• Must have reliable transportation.

Nice to have

• Experience with ERP or inventory management systems (Finale Inventory or similar preferred).
• Experience developing SOPs, manufacturing documentation, or operational procedures.
• Strong spreadsheet and data analysis skills.
• Experience leading continuous improvement or operational improvement projects.
• Love of all things tea a plus!

This is a general outline of the tasks that the position entails and may include other responsibilities as the need arises or may be modified at any time.

Please include a cover letter when applying that mentions your favorite beverage (does not have to be tea) and the name of a song you would add to a workday playlist.

Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) 3% Match
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Pay range: $65,000.00 - $74,000.00 per year DOE