Production Manager

Location:

West Columbia, SC, US, 29172

29172

Job Type: Bakery Operations

29172

Hungry for a career that’s as rewarding as it is delicious?

At Aspire Bakeries, we don’t just bake breads, cookies, and cakes - we create foods that bring people together. From La Brea Bakery® artisan breads to Otis Spunkmeyer® cookies, our products are enjoyed by millions of people every day. And behind every bite are talented manufacturing and support teams who take pride in their work and our food.

We’re looking for hard-working people who will bring integrity, creativity, and a passion for excellence to everything they do - whether that’s on the bakery floor, in the office, or supporting customers. In return, we offer a workplace culture built on care, ownership, and growth - where your contributions matter and your career can rise as high as our bread loaves!

With 13 commercial bakeries across North America and a reputation as an industry leader, Aspire Bakeries is rising together with our people and our customers to be the best all-around bakery solution. If you’re ready to grow with us, we’d love to hear from you.

Why You’ll Love Working At Aspire Bakeries

Culture – Our culture thrives on collaboration, diversity, and a shared passion for excellence. We support team members, empower growth, and encourage everyone to bring their authentic selves to work.

Health & Wellness – Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus company-paid life insurance and additional voluntary options to fit your needs.

Work-Life Balance – Paid parental leave, generous paid time off, and holidays so you can recharge and spend time on what matters most.

Financial Security – Competitive retirement plans, plus short- and long-term disability coverage for peace of mind.

Growth & Development – Opportunities to build skills, grow your career, and develop expertise through Aspire Bakeries’ learning and development programs.

Flexibility & Support – HSA and FSA plans to help you manage everyday expenses.

Recognition & Rewards – Performance incentive plans that celebrate achievements across sales, bakery performance, and individual contributions.

About the Role

We are seeking a Production Manager to join our team at our Cayce, SC bakery. As a Production Manager, you will be accountable for overseeing daily production, engineering, and sanitation operations to ensure a continuous flow of safe, high‑quality products while driving operational efficiency, team performance, and continuous improvement.

Weekend availability: Required

Core Accountabilities (What You’ll Be Doing)

Lead production, engineering, and sanitation teams to deliver efficient, safe, and high‑quality output
Ensure product quality and proper formulation by partnering with FSQA to resolve issues
Manage staffing, performance, employee relations, and team development
Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including waste reduction and line optimization
Maintain safety, sanitation, audit readiness, and regulatory compliance
Support budgeting, reporting, and capital project planning and execution
Collaborate with leadership and cross-functional teams to meet customer and business goals

Minimum Qualifications (What You Bring to the Table)

Bachelor’s degree in business management or related field (or equivalent experience); Master’s preferred
Experience in a management role within manufacturing operations
Knowledge of food manufacturing processes (production, packaging, engineering, shipping)
Strong leadership, communication, conflict resolution, and team-building skills
Ability to work flexible hours supporting evening and overnight operations
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and related operational systems

Preferred Qualifications (Extra Ingredients for Success)

Experience in bakery production (mixing, proofing, baking, packaging)
Bilingual English/Spanish
Continuous improvement training (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen)
Experience supporting capital projects or working in complex technical environments
Experience collaborating across diverse teams and customer groups

Aspire Bakeries is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, assess, or select applicants.