Production Manager, Bakery Production - 3rd Shift
Location: Swedesboro, NJ
Schedule: 3rd Shift | 10:00 PM - 6:30 AM
Compensation: $95,000-$110,000 base + 15% bonus
Reports to: Senior Operations Manager
Environment: Non-union | 24/7 operation
Role Overview
Aspire Bakeries is hiring a 3rd Shift Production Shift Manager to support continued growth and expansion at its Swedesboro, NJ bakery. This is a newly added leadership role driven by business growth and increased production demand, not backfill, making it a strong long-term opportunity for someone looking to step into a visible, high-impact operations leadership position.
This leader will own all 3rd-shift production operations for Lines 4 and 5 (bread products), with full accountability for safety, quality, throughput, and people leadership. The role requires a strong on-the-floor presence and the ability to lead through supervisors in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee all 3rd-shift bakery production operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and consistent execution of production plans
- Directly manage 5 Production Supervisors, with each supervisor leading 15-20 hourly associates, technicians, operators, and general labor employees
- Serve as the primary authority on shift, making real-time decisions to resolve production, staffing, and operational issues
- Drive compliance with GMPs, food safety, quality standards, and company procedures across multiple production lines
- Monitor production performance, labor utilization, and line efficiency using data and strong analytical judgment
- Partner closely with cross-functional teams including Quality, Maintenance, Planning, and Senior Operations leadership
- Communicate shift performance, risks, and improvement opportunities clearly to senior leadership
- Support continuous improvement initiatives and help scale operations as the facility continues to grow
Schedule & Flexibility
- 3rd shift: 10:00 PM - 6:30 AM
- Weekend availability required (typically one weekend day per week)
- Schedules will be either Tuesday-Saturday or Sunday-Thursday
- Must be comfortable supporting a 24/7 manufacturing operation and stepping in as needed for shift coverage
Background & Experience Profile
- 7-10+ years of experience in food manufacturing (or closely related regulated manufacturing environments)
- 3-5+ years of people leadership experience, including leading supervisors and large hourly teams
- Demonstrated experience managing multiple production lines
- Strong leadership presence with the ability to set expectations, hold teams accountable, and lead with authority
- Comfortable operating through others rather than being an individual contributor
- Strong communicator with the ability to influence across levels and functions
- SAP experience is a plus
- Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus, not required
- Degree is not critical; proven leadership experience is far more important than title or education
What They're Really Looking For
- Someone with true management experience, not just a lead or senior operator title
- A leader who is confident being the decision-maker on shift
- Equal strength in technical understanding and people leadership
- A hands-on leader who values floor presence and visibility with teams
Why This Role Is Attractive
- Growth-driven opening tied to expansion and scaling of the operation
- Clear runway for advancement as Aspire continues to promote internally and build out leadership bench
- High visibility role reporting directly into senior operations leadership
- Stable, non-union environment with strong process orientation
- Potential flexibility for a small sign-on or relocation assistance for the right candidate
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