POSITION SCOPE:

The Production Supervisor reports directly to the Operations Manager and is responsible for the daily execution of assigned production operations. This position provides direct leadership to production associates and line leaders while ensuring production schedules are executed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with customer, quality, and productivity requirements.

The Production Supervisor is accountable for achieving daily production targets, labor utilization, safety performance, finished goods quality, equipment utilization, and operational efficiency while maintaining a positive and engaged work environment.

This role works closely with Project Management, Quality, Shipping, Maintenance, and other operational departments to ensure customer requirements are consistently achieved.

REPORTS TO: 

Operations Manager

ESSENTIAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Leadership

• Supervise, coach, develop, and evaluate production associates and line leaders.
• Lead by example while fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, quality, and operational excellence.
• Conduct daily startup meetings to communicate production priorities, safety topics, quality expectations, and customer requirements.
• Train and develop associates while promoting cross-training and operational flexibility.
• Provide ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and employee development.
• Maintain staffing levels and assign labor to maximize efficiency while supporting production schedules.

Production Execution

• Execute the daily production schedule established by the Operations Manager.
• Ensure production lines operate safely, efficiently, and in accordance with established standards.
• Monitor production performance throughout the shift and make adjustments to maximize throughput.
• Ensure all production goals, efficiencies, and customer requirements are achieved.
• Identify and resolve production issues that impact safety, quality, productivity, or schedule attainment.
• Communicate production status, delays, and operational concerns to the Operations Manager in a timely      manner.

Labor Management

• Allocate labor resources to maximize productivity and operational efficiency.
• Monitor labor utilization and overtime throughout the shift.
• Adjust staffing assignments based on production priorities and customer demand.
• Ensure associates are performing assigned tasks safely and efficiently.
• Support temporary staffing onboarding and daily management.

Quality Ownership

• Ensure all production activities comply with approved work instructions, standard operating procedures,     customer specifications, and GMP requirements.
• Ensure finished goods consistently meet customer quality expectations.
• Partner with the Quality department to resolve production quality issues.
• Immediately address non-conforming conditions and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure only conforming product is released to Shipping.
• Reinforce quality expectations through training, coaching, and daily supervision.

Safety

• Promote and maintain a safe work environment.
• Ensure compliance with all company safety policies, OSHA regulations, GMP requirements, and safe work practices.
• Conduct routine safety observations and immediately correct unsafe acts or conditions.
• Immediately report unsafe conditions, near misses, accidents, or safety concerns.
• Ensure associates wear required PPE at all times.
• Participate in accident investigations and corrective action implementation.
• Foster a proactive safety culture through employee engagement and accountability.

Equipment & Production Support

• Monitor equipment performance throughout the shift.
• Report equipment concerns immediately and coordinate with Maintenance to minimize downtime.
• Ensure production equipment is properly operated and cared for by all associates.
• Support production startups, changeovers, and line clearances.
• Minimize downtime through effective communication and planning.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that improve safety, quality, productivity, labor utilization, and operational efficiency.
• Identify opportunities to eliminate waste and improve standardized work.
• Support Lean Manufacturing initiatives and process improvements.
• Recommend improvements to equipment, processes, and production methods.

Performance Management

• Monitor and improve departmental Key Performance Indicators including:
  • Safety
  • Production Efficiency
  • Schedule Attainment
  • Labor Productivity
  • Finished Goods Quality
  • Scrap and Rework
  • Downtime
  • Overtime
  • Employee Attendance
• Conduct root cause investigations for production delays, quality issues, safety incidents, and operational concerns.
• Develop and execute corrective actions to improve operational performance.

Customer Service

• Ensure customer production requirements are executed accurately and on schedule.
• Partner with Project Management and Quality to resolve production concerns.
• Support customer visits, audits, and special production requirements.
• Maintain effective communication across all departments to support customer commitments.

Operational Accountability

The Production Supervisor is accountable for the successful execution of assigned production operations. This position is responsible for ensuring production schedules are completed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with customer, quality, and operational requirements.

Working under the direction of the Operations Manager, the Production Supervisor is expected to proactively identify operational risks, communicate issues promptly, develop employees, and drive solutions that improve safety, quality, productivity, labor utilization, and customer satisfaction.

QUALIFICATIONS:

. Required

• High School Diploma or GED.
• 5+ years of food manufacturing, co-packing, packaging, or production experience.
• Strong knowledge of food safety and quality systems.
• Experience training, coaching, or mentoring employees.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work across multiple departments and shifts.

Preferred

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Business, Operations, Industrial Technology, or related field.
• HACCP Certification.
• SQF Practitioner experience.
• Train-the-Trainer certification.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma experience.
• Experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS).

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

While the work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job, they are in no way all-inclusive. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works on equipment on the production floor.
• The employee often works at a desk or on other equipment. 
• The noise level in the work environment is typically minimal.