The Production Supervisor is responsible for leading and supporting production employees to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality operations. This hands-on leadership role oversees daily plant activities, coordinates resources, promotes continuous improvement, and ensures compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan and coordinate labor, materials, equipment, and time to meet production, quality, and safety objectives.
- Monitor operations throughout the shift and adjust priorities as needed to achieve goals.
- Maintain accurate inventories of packaging materials, ingredients, butter, powder, and other stored materials using manual and computerized systems.
- Receive inbound deliveries and coordinate butter and powder shipments with the Sales team.
- Lead, coach, train, and develop employees while promoting accountability, engagement, and performance.
- Support effective shift transitions through pre-shift meetings, documentation, and communication with incoming supervisors and coordinators.
- Communicate operational status and priorities with departments across the organization.
- Develop a strong understanding of plant operations, equipment, workflows, labor agreements, and production planning.
- Ensure compliance with SQF, FDA, USDA, MDARD, GMP, and other regulatory requirements.
- Promote and enforce MMPA safety policies and maintain a safe work environment.
- Ensure manufacturing equipment, tanks, piping, and work areas are cleaned and sanitized according to SSOPs and quality standards.
- Inspect production, warehouse, and facility areas to ensure compliance with safety, sanitation, and operating procedures.
- Monitor employee performance, provide feedback, validate training effectiveness, and enforce work rules consistently.
- Participate in production meetings, scheduling activities, continuous improvement initiatives, root cause analysis, and cost-saving projects.
- Support operational excellence by monitoring efficiencies, yields, performance metrics, and corrective actions.
- Conduct performance evaluations, establish shift goals, and develop team talent.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Food Science, Business, or a related field required.
- Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience may be considered.
Experience
- 3–5 years of supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Food, beverage, dairy, or pharmaceutical manufacturing experience preferred.
- 1–3 years of experience in a unionized environment preferred.
- Strong problem-solving, troubleshooting, organizational, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced operation.
- Experience working with regulatory agencies and compliance requirements.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
- Valid driver's license required.
Preferred Experience
- Dairy processing operations including separation, pasteurization, evaporation, spray drying, butter production, and powder packaging.
- Knowledge of FDA, USDA, and MDARD regulations.
- Experience with MMPA systems, processes, and personnel.
Leadership Competencies
Successful candidates demonstrate:
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Leadership, coaching, and team-development abilities.
- Attention to detail and commitment to operational excellence.
- Initiative, adaptability, and continuous improvement mindset.
- Ability to manage conflict constructively and maintain positive working relationships.
- Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
- Ability to perform effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
- Customer-focused approach and commitment to quality.
Working Conditions
This position requires regular presence in both production and warehouse environments. The role may require climbing, balancing, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching overhead, and lifting or moving up to 50 pounds, either manually or with powered industrial equipment. Strong communication and observational skills are essential.
