Operations Supervisor

Pay Range: $75,000/yr. - $88,000/yr. based on experience and qualifications

The Operations Supervisor provides strategic and hands-on leadership across designated production departments to ensure safe, efficient, and high‑quality manufacturing performance. This role oversees daily execution on the production floor, adherence to safety procedures and standards, food safety and regulatory standards, ensuring attainment of operational targets, and accurate system transactions. The Operations Supervisor drives team development, continuous improvement, and cross‑departmental collaboration while maintaining a culture of accountability, respect, and safety. They serve as the primary link between frontline teams and leadership, ensuring smooth workflow, timely communication, and consistent operational excellence.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Safety Leadership

• Conduct routine safety walk‑throughs to ensure compliance with OSHA, HACCP, USDA, and internal safety protocols.
• Enforce proper use of PPE and safe work practices, including lifting, equipment handling, and pedestrian awareness.
• Identify and correct unsafe behaviors or conditions; escalate incidents immediately and complete accurate EHS documentation within required timeframes.
• Ensure all employees maintain current safety certifications and review EHS alerts during team meetings.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and food‑safe work environment, addressing USDA inspector requirements promptly.

Quality Assurance

• Ensure all products meet specification; stop operations and initiate corrective actions when out‑of‑spec conditions occur.
• Audit process and quality check sheets for accuracy and integrity; ensure no pre‑populated data.
• Manage and report rework, including documentation of lbs. produced, rework generated, and rework used.
• Resolve process deviations, quality holds, and raw material suitability issues in real time.

Operational Execution & Systems Management

• Monitor and drive performance against attainment, labor efficiency, yield, OEE, and downtime targets while escalating significant gaps to the Operations Superintendent.
• Execute the production schedule established by the Operations Superintendent while adjusting labor and resources to achieve daily operational targets. (lbs./hr., OEE, downtime).
• Organize workload, delegate tasks, and manage staffing to ensure optimal line coverage and productivity.
• Maintain real‑time MES and D365 data entry, ensuring accurate picking, posting, consolidation, and inventory transactions.
• Troubleshoot batch order errors and coordinate with Warehouse on substitutions, shortages, and cycle counts.
• Document anomalies such as discarded ingredients, packaging issues, or unexpected inventory usage.
• Maintain raw material inventories, spice kits, and pre‑labeled box stock to ensure uninterrupted production.
• Research and test new products, materials, and equipment as needed.

Communication & Reporting

• Participate in daily shift hand‑offs to review production schedules, staffing, safety, and quality updates.

• Prepare and distribute shift reports covering:

• Safety incidents, SBOs, near misses

• Staffing gaps and changes

• Quality issues and process deviations

• Employee recognition

• Key Performance Indicators (attainment, OEE, downtime, etc.)

• Maintain shift logs, staffing logs, and MES efficiency data to communicate results and trends.

Staffing & Workforce Management

• Lead approximately 40 hourly employees across the operation area to meet the daily needs of the company KPI's.
• Monitor attendance, manage breaks and line coverage, and address unscheduled absences.
• Conduct check‑ins for new and temporary employees and maintain communication with the Scheduling.
• Execute disciplinary actions in accordance with plant policy and document performance issues appropriately.
• Manage Saturday volunteer signups, labor variance explanations, and accountability documentation.

People Development

• Conduct regular coaching and development discussions with Team Leads and frontline employees.
• Train new employees and ensure all team members understand both the "what" and the "why" of their tasks.
• Provide ongoing coaching, cross‑training, and skill development opportunities.
• Support career growth and maintain all training documentation for the operation.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify and implement opportunities to improve workflow efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance production methods.
• Participate in all problem-solving meetings and support implementation of corrective actions fostered from meetings.
• Revaluate existing processes and recommend enhancements to drive operational excellence.
• Partner with Maintenance, Warehouse, FSQA, Planning, and HR to resolve operational issues and ensure uninterrupted production.

Other Duties

• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to support overall plant operations.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Associate degree preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience accepted.
• Three to five years of supervisory experience in manufacturing required; food manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Proficiency with computer systems, including Microsoft Office, MES, and ERP systems (D365 preferred).
• Experience in inventory management and workflow optimization.
• Ability to read and interpret written instructions, production documents, and regulatory requirements.
• Forklift and pallet jack operation required.
• Bilingual in Portuguese or Spanish preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENT:

• Able to stand for prolonged periods of time; must have good vision and manual dexterity.
• Able to bend, push, carry, twist, and lift up to fifty pounds without difficulty on a continuous basis. Repetitive use of hands.
• Able to work productively on a repetitive basis.
• Able to work in a manufacturing environment which may be hot/cold.
• Able to wear required PPEs at all times.
• This position requires the ability to withstand working in a cold environment and stand for extended periods of time.
• Company provided Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) must be worn while on the production floor.