PVC Compounding Operations Supervisor

Job Description

Job Description

Lead production that powers products worldwide

At Teknor Apex, a nearly century-old, privately held innovator in custom polymer compounds with nine U.S. sites and operations in Belgium, Singapore, Germany, and China, you’ll guide a team that turns material science into customer-ready solutions. As our PVC Compounding Operations Supervisor in our South Carolina plant, you’ll set the pace for Safety, Quality, Productivity, Cost, and Morale—every single shift.

You begin with a brief stretch-and-safety huddle, reinforcing LOTO and PPE standards (steel-toe footwear, eye and hearing protection, long sleeves, dust masks) and the policy of no earbuds or phones on the production floor. You spend 40–50% of your day on the floor: observing, auditing ISO 9001-conforming processes, scanning and labeling workflows, and recognizing wins. You remove roadblocks with Maintenance to protect uptime, coach Crew Leads, and adjust priorities when equipment acts up. Before the shift ends, you ensure a clean handoff with precise turnover notes. Throughout, you’re accessible—on the floor and by company cell—responsive to calls, emails, and impromptu questions.

• Provide hands-on, positive leadership aligned to our Core Values: Accountability, Integrity, Respect, Safety, Sustainability, Innovation & Partnership.
• Own a proactive safety culture: identify and correct hazards, uphold all safety and HR policies, and confirm team members are fit for duty.
• Model safe work practices—Always LOTO—and enforce PPE and production-floor conduct standards.
• Conduct frequent floor audits to verify SOP adherence, process control, documentation accuracy, and barcode scanning/labeling discipline within our ISO 9001 system.
• Partner with Maintenance and cross-functional support teams to keep uptime above target and meet department, site, and company goals.
• Coach, mentor, and develop Crew Leads to elevate Safety, Quality, Productivity, Cost, and morale.
• Champion 5S and continuous improvement across the department and plant.
• Learn the compounding process, equipment, and operator roles to better support the team.
• Ensure training is completed on time; drive robust cross-training against standard work.
• Foster an open-door, non-retaliatory, team-first environment built on trust and respect.
• Participate in meetings; stay responsive via email and phone; be reachable by company cell phone.
• Engage in your own leadership development through scheduled trainings.
• Support integrated systems and management tools; verify consistent, accurate use.
• Ensure backup Leads and operators are in place to cover absences.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

• 4–6 years of production experience; prior Lead-level or higher leadership experience preferred.
• GED or higher; knowledge in a mechanical/technical or business field typically gained through up to 18 months of education or training beyond high school.
• Skillful communicator who builds collaboration across teams and shifts; capable change agent.
• Strategic, critical thinker with strong attention to detail and the ability to prevent repeat issues.
• Lean manufacturing principles experience (required); 5S coaching aptitude.
• Moderate analytical ability to gather and interpret data from multiple sources.
• Calm prioritization under pressure—especially when equipment challenges surface.
• Comfort with computers and the systems needed to run the operation.

• Leadership / People Management
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Supervisory Experience
• Lean Manufacturing Principles
• Operational Metrics & KPI Management
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

• Highly competitive Medical, Dental, and Vision options with very low deductibles and low cost—80% paid by the company.
• Eligibility for benefits within 30 days of hire.
• Company-paid wellness programs (smoking cessation, mental health, weight loss).
• On-site medical clinic for employees and spouses at no charge, including prescriptions, wellness visits, and immunizations.
• Up to 7% employer 401(k) contribution and free financial planning assistance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• 13 paid holidays and annual merit increases.
• Weekly on-site food trucks.
• Employee recognition points redeemable for a wide variety of products—earned for perfect attendance, service milestones, and other achievements.
• Company-sponsored discounts (gyms, restaurants, theme parks, travel, auto, and more).
• Frequent employee appreciation activities—meals, giveaways, contests.
• Free income tax filing assistance for eligible associates.
• Community involvement and volunteer opportunities; Family Day celebration.
• Recognition for years of service.

Founded in 1924, Teknor Apex has grown from a single Rhode Island tire store into a global custom compounder serving customers around the world. Still privately held and family-led by the founder’s grandson, we invest in strong relationships—with employees, customers, and communities—to deliver tailored compound solutions.

Teknor Apex is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any protected status under state or federal laws. Must be 18 years of age to work at Teknor Apex.