COMPANY OVERVIEW:
At Balchem we are committed to making the world a healthier place by delivering trusted, innovative, and science-based solutions to the nutrition, health, and food markets. Our Lincoln, Nebraska location specializes in the production and packaging of high-quality cereal with options that are organic, non-GMO, and gluten-free. Our corporate headquarters is located in Montvale, New Jersey and we have a broad network of sales offices, manufacturing sites, and R&D centers, primarily located in the US and Europe. Founded in 1967, Balchem is a publicly traded company (NASDAQ – “BCPC”) with annual revenues over $900 million and a market cap exceeding $4.0 billion. The company consists of three business segments: Human Nutrition & Health; Animal Nutrition & Health; and Specialty Products. Balchem employs over 1,400 people worldwide who are engaged in diverse activities, committed to developing the company into global market leadership positions. To learn more about our dynamic, stable and growing company, visit www.balchem.com.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Weekend Manufacturing Supervisor provides leadership and operational oversight for both Production and Packaging during the weekend-focused schedule. This role is responsible for coordinating people, equipment, materials, and priorities across the manufacturing operation to support safe, compliant, efficient, and high-quality production from raw material through finished packaged product. The supervisor leads operators and leads, responds to issues that arise during the shift, reinforces company expectations, and ensures effective communication and handoff with weekday leadership and support teams.
SCHEDULE EXPECTATIONS:
- This position is designed to provide weekend coverage. The regular schedule consists of 2 12 -hour and 2 8 hour overnight shifts (or a combination of 40 hours) scheduled between Friday and Monday covering the day shift. The position requires availability for the assigned weekend schedule and flexibility to support training, meetings, shift handoffs, emergencies, production needs, and occasional schedule adjustments.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Supervise, motivate, coach, and monitor employees assigned to Production and Packaging during the weekend schedule.
- Provide clear direction at shift start; maintain active floor presence; address performance, attendance, conduct, communication, and conflict concerns promptly and professionally.
- Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with Company polices, procedures, and applicable laws, partnering with Human Resources and management as appropriate.
- Coordinate and oversee continual operation of production and packaging processes.
- Monitor the safe and effective operation of production equipment and supporting systems, including cookers, extruders, feed systems, augers, scales, slurry systems, surge bins, PLCs, and related equipment.
- Oversee packaging activities, including filling bags or totes to specification, sealing, labeling, palletizing, metal detector checks, weight checks, rework and scrap reporting, and finished product handling.
- Confirm operators follow approved recipes, process parameters, Standard Operating Procedures, and work instructions; coordinate basic troubleshooting and escalate equipment or process issues when appropriate.
- Provide hands-on operational support when needed while maintaining overall supervisory coverage and decision-making responsibility.
- Communicate schedule deviations, downtime, staffing concerns, quality issues, safety events, and other material risks to the appropriate manager and support functions.
- Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with Company safety requirements, OSHA standards, personal protective equipment requirements, and established safe work practices.
- Reinforce Good Manufacturing Practices, HACCP programs, sanitation requirements, and applicable food safety and quality standards throughout Production and Packaging.
- Ensure work areas and equipment are maintained in a clean, sanitary, and orderly condition in accordance with the Master Sanitation Schedule, and other assigned cleaning activities.
REQUIREMENTS:
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Previous manufacturing leadership or supervisory experience required. Experience leading both production and packaging operations is strongly preferred.
- Working knowledge of manufacturing processes and equipment, preferably in food, cereal, ingredient, or other regulated manufacturing.
- Demonstrated ability to lead employees, set priorities, make sound decisions, communicate expectations, manage conflict, and maintain composure during operational disruptions.
- Strong organization, time management, documentation, problem-solving, and written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities across departments.
- Ability to read and apply instructions, correspondence, Standard Operating Procedures, work instructions, safety requirements, and production documentation.
- Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office.
- Dependable and trustworthy, with the ability to consistently work the assigned weekend-focused schedule.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Associate or bachelor's degree in operations, manufacturing, business, food science, engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Two to three years of related manufacturing experience and/or training.
- Experience with food safety programs, GMPs, HACCP, sanitation programs, lockout/tagout, and OSHA requirements.
- Experience with process equipment, automated packaging equipment, and structured continuous improvement.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Continually required to stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel objects, communicate, and use visual and hearing abilities.
- Regularly required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl while following proper ergonomic and safe work practices.
- May periodically lift up to 50 pounds and may assist with heavier items using proper lifting techniques, team lifting, and available equipment.
- Must wear required personal protective equipment and comply with all plant safety, hygiene, and food safety requirements.
- May be exposed to moving mechanical parts, noise, vibration, airborne particles, chemicals, temperature variation, wet or humid conditions, and elevated or confided work areas, depending on the task and location.
- Must be able to distinguish color when required for safe operation, product identification, quality checks, or documentation.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Medical/Dental/Vision Plan Insurance after 1st month
- 401(k) with 6% employer match after 60 days
- Paid Time Off
- Uniforms and safety shoes provided
- Tuition Reimbursement after 2 years (work-related)
- Free Cereal
Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for the job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Balchem is committed to a workplace culture that values and promotes diversity, inclusion, equal employment opportunities, and a work environment free of harassment and hostility.