Flint Food Works Director - Production Operations Manager

As part of Michigan State University Extension (MSU Extension) and the Community, Food and Environment Institute (CFEI), the Flint Food Works Operations Manager serves as the primary leader responsible for the day-to-day management, production oversight, and operational performance of the Flint Food Works Commercial Kitchen.

Your work will include directing all aspects of facility operations, including production scheduling, workflow design, quality control, and adherence to food safety and regulatory standards. By developing and maintaining an efficient production layout, the Operations Manager ensures optimal product quality, consistency, and scalability for a diverse portfolio of client products. The position also provides hands-on technical guidance and manufacturing support to food entrepreneurs, helping translate product concepts into viable, market-ready goods.

In partnership with the MSU Product Center, you will oversee the strategic and operational success of the commercial kitchen as a shared-use facility designed to reduce barriers to entry for food-based businesses. You will ensure that equipment, staffing, and systems are effectively aligned to support both early-stage and scaling food entrepreneurs, while maintaining a high-functioning, inclusive, and professionally managed production environment. This includes collaborating with MSU Extension educators and partner organizations to provide counseling, technical assistance, and connections to resources such as product development, food safety training, regulatory guidance, and market access.

This position will work in the Flint Food Works Commercial Kitchen located in the Flint Farmers’ Market, Flint, Michigan, within Genesee County.

Minimum Qualifications (see full description for complete list of requirements)

• Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in engineering, packaging, food science, business, or a field related to the production facility and the facility’s capabilities. 

View full description and apply through the MSU careers page. Search for posting #1145799 using the Job Search field. 

Application deadline is July 28, 2026.