Production Supervisor

Who WE are…

Locus Fermentation Solutions is a USA-Based Biotech company delivering high performance, bio-based solutions across agriculture, energy, mining, and industrial markets. We specialize in advanced fermentation and formulation technologies that push performance beyond the limits of conventional chemistry.

OUR MISSION is to redefine what’s possible by using biosurfactants and microbial solutions as powerful performance amplifiers – driving superior solution performance while improving sustainability across industries.

We are looking for creative and collaborative outside-the-box thinkers who thrive in fast paced, entrepreneurial style environments. Learn more about us at Locusfs.com!

What you’ll be doing:

The Production Supervisor is responsible for leading daily fermentation and downstream manufacturing operations to ensure safe, efficient, and consistent production of Locus products. This hands-on leadership role oversees production personnel and contract labor, coordinates staffing and resources, monitors process performance, and ensures adherence to established safety, quality, sanitation, and operating procedures.

Working closely with Production, Microbiology, Research & Development, Process Development, Engineering, Maintenance, and Quality, the Production Supervisor supports troubleshooting, process consistency, equipment reliability, and continuous improvement. The role is accountable for shift execution, employee development, accurate production documentation, and effective communication across shifts and departments to support production priorities and business objectives.

The successful candidate demonstrates strong ownership, accountability, collaboration, and a bias for action while fostering a culture of safety, quality, continuous learning, and operational excellence.

Schedule:

This is a full-time position supporting a 24/7 manufacturing operation. The Production Supervisor must be willing to work nonstandard hours, including nights, weekends, and occasional coverage of other shifts, based on production requirements and business needs.

Location: Peoria, IL

Key Responsibilities:

Production & Shift Operations

• Assists with the setup, preparation, and ongoing operation of fermentation and downstream processing systems, ensuring readiness for production and compliance with established documentation, safety, quality, and operating requirements.
• Oversees and participates in fermentation manufacturing and downstream processing activities, coordinating, supervising, and supporting technicians and contract labor to meet production schedules and priorities.
• Monitors shift activities, production progress, process parameters, and resource allocation to support production objectives, product quality, and operational efficiency. Adjusts staffing and resources as needed to address changing priorities.
• Ensures effective shift handoffs and communicates production status, equipment issues, safety concerns, process deviations, and outstanding priorities to incoming personnel and relevant stakeholders.
• Maintains a working knowledge of fermentation, downstream processing, and facility utility systems to support safe and reliable manufacturing operations, including appropriate oversight of utilities during night and weekend shifts.
• Submits work orders and coordinates corrective and preventive maintenance activities for production equipment and facility systems to support equipment reliability and minimize unplanned downtime.

Process Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Collaborates with Microbiology, Research & Development, Process Development, Engineering, Maintenance, and Quality to troubleshoot process and equipment issues, support testing activities, and maintain consistent production performance.
• Monitors process performance and production data to identify trends, deviations, and opportunities to improve process consistency, yield, efficiency, and equipment reliability. Provides recommendations to appropriate technical teams regarding process or equipment improvements.
• Identifies and implements opportunities to improve production workflows, reduce downtime and waste, strengthen process consistency, and improve operational efficiency in collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Quality, Sanitation & Documentation

• Reviews production records, batch documentation, equipment logs, and other operational data to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established procedures. Coordinates the investigation and resolution of process deviations, nonconformances, and quality concerns with the appropriate departments.
• Observes production practices to ensure compliance with sanitation programs, good manufacturing practices (GMP), standard operating procedures (SOPs), and applicable quality requirements.

Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Oversees compliance with applicable lockout/tagout procedures, work permits, and other safety requirements for maintenance, contractor, and production activities. Performs permitting and authorization responsibilities only as trained and designated.
• Demonstrates strong leadership and commitment to the plant's safety culture by identifying and addressing potential hazards, supporting Job Safety Analysis (JSA) and Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) activities, and ensuring incidents and unsafe conditions are promptly reported and addressed.
• Provides initial leadership during incidents, activates applicable emergency response procedures, and coordinates with designated emergency response personnel in accordance with established emergency response plans and assigned responsibilities.

Team Leadership & Development

• Develops and maintains employee training and qualification programs covering equipment operation, process procedures, sanitation, safety practices, and job-specific responsibilities. Evaluates training needs and provides coaching and development opportunities to strengthen employee performance and technical competency.
• Provides hands-on leadership and support to production personnel, establishes clear performance expectations, provides regular feedback, and holds employees accountable for safety, quality, productivity, and adherence to established procedures.
• Participates in recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and performance evaluations for assigned employees. Addresses performance deficiencies and conduct concerns through appropriate coaching and corrective action, including recommendations regarding employment decisions.
• Provides backup coverage for peers and assigned personnel as needed to maintain continuity of operations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Associate's or bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, microbiology, biotechnology, or a related technical field preferred; equivalent relevant manufacturing and leadership experience will be considered.
• Minimum of four (4) years of experience in manufacturing, industrial operations, or maintenance, including demonstrated shift leadership, team supervision, or equivalent leadership responsibility.
• Experience in fermentation, biotechnology, chemical processing, food processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, or another process-driven manufacturing environment preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of process equipment, process controls, troubleshooting, sanitation, and safe operating practices.
• Familiarity with GMP, SOPs, production documentation, deviation management, and continuous improvement practices preferred.
• Ability to interpret process data, recognize abnormal operating conditions, and coordinate effective corrective actions.
• Demonstrated ability to train, coach, develop, and hold employees accountable while fostering a collaborative and safety-focused work environment.
• Strong communication, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with technical and operational teams to resolve issues and support production priorities.
• Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and applicable production or process monitoring systems.
• Ability to work nonstandard hours supporting a 24/7 manufacturing operation, including nights, weekends, and occasional coverage of other shifts as necessary.

Physical Requirements& Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is performed in both a normal office setting and on a manufacturing floor. Office work includes computer use, documentation, planning, and communication with employees and cross-functional teams.
• Requires sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment.
• Laboratory and pilot fermentation operations may require dexterity and care when performing or overseeing sterile transfers and related process activities.
• Manufacturing floor activities may involve exposure to hot and cold temperatures, noise, fumes, dust, chemicals, and other industrial process conditions.
• Requires regular walking and standing, climbing stairs, bending, and occasional lifting or handling of materials weighing up to fifty (50) pounds.
• May require working near production equipment, process piping, tanks, and utility systems, as well as in areas with restricted access or elevated work surfaces.
• Requires compliance with Company safety policies and PPE requirements, including the use of safety glasses with side shields, appropriate work attire, safety shoes, hard hats, hearing protection, gloves, and other protective equipment as required by the task.
• Must be willing to work nonstandard hours supporting a 24/7 manufacturing operation, including nights, weekends, and occasional off-shift coverage as necessary.

What’s in it for you:

• Competitive Salary
• Medical/Dental/Vison Benefits
• 401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Volunteer Hours
• Annual allowance of Floating Holidays
• Continuing Education Reimbursement Policy