The Michigan Milk Producers Association is a dairy farmer owned cooperative and dairy processor. Founded in 1916, the MMPA serves dairy farmers in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin.
MMPA maintains a strong presence within the dairy industry with strategic business relationships through a variety of channels like processing shelf-stable, value added dairy products. MMPA has four member owned processing plants in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, including Superior Dairy and the Middlebury Cheese Company. Products made at MMPA’s plants include fluid milk, sour cream, cheese, ultra-filtered milk, cottage cheese, ice cream, butter, nonfat dry milk, cream and condensed skim milk.
Why you’ll love working here:
- Competitive salary
- Health and wellness benefits with medical coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield, including mental health benefits
- Disability insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement including 401k with employer contributions
- Personal and professional growth opportunities
- Employee appreciation events and recognition awards
- Employee wellness initiatives
- Employee feedback and suggestion forums
Position Summary
The Production Supervisor is responsible for overseeing daily cottage cheese production operations to ensure safety, quality, efficiency, and employee engagement. This role provides hands-on leadership on the production floor, supports production planning, and ensures compliance with all safety, food safety, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). The Supervisor plays a key role in developing employees while maintaining consistent product quality and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Employee Leadership & Development
- Develop, coach, and counsel employees to build a motivated, skilled, and accountable workforce
- Provide ongoing training and performance feedback to support individual and team development
- Lead by example and promote teamwork, accountability, and positive employee relations
Production & Equipment Operations
- Develop hands-on familiarity with all cottage cheese processing equipment and production processes
- Actively support and adjust production plans as needed to meet daily production targets
- Troubleshoot production issues and work closely with maintenance and quality teams to minimize downtime
Safety & Compliance
- Maintain and promote a safe work environment by enforcing company safety policies and procedures
- Assure adherence to all safety, operating policies, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
- Ensure employees follow sanitation, hygiene, and food safety requirements at all times
Quality & Attention to Detail
- Monitor production processes closely to ensure product quality and consistency
- Pay close attention to detail by considering all aspects of production, no matter how small
- Accurately verify processes, documentation, and tasks to ensure compliance and accuracy
Communication & Continuous Improvement
- Communicate production expectations, performance goals, and changes clearly to employees
- Identify opportunities for process improvement and efficiency gains
- Support corrective actions related to quality, safety, or production deviations
Qualifications
Required
- Previous supervisory experience in food manufacturing or dairy production
- Working knowledge of food safety standards, GMPs, and sanitation practices
- Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, hands-on production environment
Preferred
- Experience in cottage cheese or dairy processing
- Familiarity with production scheduling and manufacturing documentation
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, or related field (or equivalent experience)
Physical & Work Environment Requirements
- Ability to work in a production environment with varying temperatures
- Ability to stand, walk, and lift up to 50 pounds
- Ability to wear required PPE and work in wet or refrigerated environments
