Production Manager

About Mowi

Mowi is the world's leading producer of sustainably farm-raised Atlantic salmon, dedicated to delivering premium seafood with a strong commitment to quality, innovation, and environmental responsibility. As a fully integrated global company, Mowi operates across the entire value chain, from feed production and farming to processing and distribution, ensuring full traceability and consistently high standards.

Headquartered in Bergen, Norway, Mowi employs approximately 12,500 people across 26 countries and is publicly listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. The company is widely recognized as a global leader in sustainability and has been ranked among the most sustainable animal protein producers by the Coller FAIRR Index.

In the U.S., Mowi's operations include Ducktrap River of Maine in Belfast, ME, a flagship smoked seafood facility known for combining traditional smoking techniques with modern production practices. Ducktrap plays a key role in delivering high-quality, value-added products while supporting operational excellence and the local Maine community.

Learn more about the Mowi Company at https://mowi.com/

Learn more about MOWI Brand its full range of products at https://mowisalmon.us/products/

Summary

The Production Manager oversees operations at the Mowi Arlington facility, reporting to the Director of Factory Operations. This hands-on role is based primarily on the production floor of a refrigerated seafood plant, with an estimated 80% floor time and 20% office time. The position involves working some 2nd shifts, Saturdays, and holidays. The manager leads a team of 2 senior supervisors, 10-12 supervisors, and 150-200 hourly staff, providing direction, training, and coaching. Key responsibilities include planning and managing schedules, processes, inventory, and ensuring company goals for safety, food safety, quality, OTIF, and efficiency are met. The role drives continuous improvement, working with data to address issues and meet productivity and material yield targets.

Responsibilities

• Actively supports all safety programs and training in collaboration with the Safety Coordinator. Evaluates risks, enforces safety procedures, and coaches or disciplines unsafe behaviors.
• Ensures compliance with food safety procedures and GMPs, including traceability, allergen control, labeling, and audit readiness. Works closely with the Quality Manager.
• Maintains production areas in audit-ready condition and conducts tours for visitors and auditors.
• Oversees proper inventory rotation and prevents losses due to errors or mis-rotation.
• Drives exceptional product quality and presentation standards.
• Manages hour-by-hour production schedules and OTIF (On Time In Full) performance, communicating potential delays proactively.
• Contributes to EBIT goals through effective planning, execution, and cost control, following Senior Management directives.
• Leads yield improvement initiatives such as portion control, spill-point elimination, and giveaway reduction; uses data to communicate yield-impacting issues.
• Increases labor productivity through scheduling, cross-training, rotation, overtime control, and automation. Ensures all employees are properly trained.
• Supports OEE, ERP, and other operational and IT systems.
• Prepares and presents monthly performance reports in management meetings.
• Supports sustainability goals by reducing water and energy use and ensuring proper waste management.

Qualifications and Skills

• Minimum 5 years of progressive production management experience in the food or perishables industry.
• Demonstrates excellent reliability, dependability, and attendance; consistently punctual and present.
• Able to work on feet in a cold, wet environment for 8+ hours per day.
• Willing to spend time on 2nd shift weekly, work Saturdays and holidays as needed, and respond to critical off-hour communications.
• Upholds strong ethics, transparency, and the company's code of conduct.
• Works effectively within a multi-layered management structure and handles cross-functional projects.
• Demonstrates strong listening and communication skills to foster teamwork, retention, and conflict resolution.
• Possesses strong analytical skills with the ability to use partial or imperfect data from various systems to identify, prioritize, and solve problems.
• Applies proficient math skills (algebra, geometry, statistics) to calculate costs, yields, portioning, productivity, and capacity.
• Works with a strong sense of urgency and focus on efficiency.
• Able to both give and receive constructive feedback effectively.
• Systems proficiency: intermediate Excel, basic Power BI, and intermediate ERP and master data management.
• Basic knowledge of Food Safety, HACCP, GMP, and SQF required.
• Prior fresh seafood experience preferred but not required.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly desired.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Finance, Science, Math, Engineering or related field required.

All requirements and skills are considered to be essential, unless otherwise indicated

Mowi is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The above job description is not an all-encompassing list of duties and responsibilities required of the employee for this job.

Duties and responsibilities may change without notice.

Mowi is a Drugfree Workplace.

Mowi is the world's leading seafood company and the largest producer of Atlantic salmon. As the first global seafood company with an end-to-end supply chain, Mowi brings supreme quality salmon and other seafood products to consumers around the world. Mowi is also ranked the most sustainable animal protein producer in the world by Coller FAIRR. With headquarters in Bergen, Norway, Mowi employs 11,600 people in 26 countries worldwide, and is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange with a market capitalisation of EUR 9 billion and total assets of EUR 8.2 billion.