Supervisor Shipping

Purpose of the Position

Leads an assigned team of hourly employees in plant shipping to achieve goals and problem solve while demonstrating a commitment to employee safety, teamwork, and ensuring proper communications to all team members.

Essential Position Responsibilities - This is a Salary Exempt position.

Overseas incoming and outgoing shipping activities to ensure accuracy, completeness, and condition of shipments. Studies shipping notices, bills of lading, invoices, orders, and other records to determine shipping priorities, work assignments and shipping methods required to meet shipping and receiving schedules, utilizing knowledge of shipping procedures, routes, and rates. Oversees the grounds and performs safety walks.

Supervises and coordinates activities of employees engaged in shipping and receiving of products, components, and/or replacement parts and in verifying and keeping records on incoming and outgoing shipments, and preparing items for shipment. Plans work schedules, assigns duties, and evaluates work for accuracy and conformance to policies. Works with management to establish and modify department operational methods and procedures. Effectively communicates and motivates employees in order to drive productivity and achieve company goals.

Emphases a safe work environment. Promotes a safe work environment as well as meets safety requirements complying with all policies or regulations set forth by Simmons, OSHA, or various government agencies concerning safety, environment, handling of food products, packaging, ingredients and any related items.


Creates a continuous improvement culture. Fosters a continuous improvement culture for direct reports. Ensures operations are being performed appropriately in order to improve processes and to continually find ways to drive out waste. Applies LEAN concepts and procedures to the day-to-day production operations. Accomplishes quality performance which meets or exceeds all line, department, facility, company, and USDA/FDA guidelines or grading process for a total quality program and customer relations.

Communicates at all levels in order to meet shipping expectations. Collaborates with the functional areas of operations such as Human Resources, Safety, Maintenance, Quality Assurance, Finance, Production and others.

Manages employees. Directs and supervises employees’ work activities and monitors work performance. Collaborates with Human Resources to screen, interview and hire candidates. Administers disciplinary actions and recommends performance improvement actions in collaboration with the HR Manager. Monitors work performance and recommends compensation decisions based on guidelines. Follows Simmons values to develop and maintain a favorable working relationship with all employees. Promotes a cooperative and harmonious environment in order to facilitate positive employee morale, productivity, and continued improvement.

Participates as a member of the Team. Participates in the ongoing development, communication and implementation of team concepts, programs and policies; coordinates work to ensure best practices with all team members. Attends appropriate team meetings. As a member of the Team, fosters strong cohesiveness regarding all major issues; e.g., direction, annual plan, budget, policy changes, etc. Accepts responsibility to quickly identify any areas that lack cohesiveness, bringing them to the attention of the team leader and working with the team in a supportive manner to resolve issues and actively look for ways, and reinforce actions needed, to achieve synergy possible within the larger organization.

Simmons Operating systems principles and objectives: Is familiar with Simmons’ established operating systems (e.g. quality, security, office environment, company policies, LEAN); understands the responsibility to maintain familiarity with the systems and this position’s role in support of these systems - including a consideration of the impact of individual actions on the systems and the responsibility to communicate concerns and improvement ideas.

Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives: This position description is intended to guide the activities of the person in this position and is not intended to limit the thinking and creativity of the person as to the work of this function nor is it intended that this describe all the work that may be required of the person in this position.

Physical Activities: Enters and locates information on a computer. Visually verifies information, often in small print. Communicates with Customers, Vendors, or Employees via telephone, in person, and/or electronic mail. May present information to small or large groups. Must be able to work in various temperatures. Move about in a manufacturing environment and surrounding property.


Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): As required by visiting facility.

Travel: Travels domestically to and from multiple facilities or work-sites, possibly requiring overnight stays.

Technical Experience: Willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction required. Must be able to read and write English. Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods. Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resource management, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. Must be familiar with computers and be proficient in Microsoft Office suite.

Industry Experience: Preferred experience within a food processing organization.

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree or 4 years related work experience with a minimum of 1 year experience in a leading role included in the 4 years related work experience


Preferred Education: N/A

We value military experience and welcome veterans to join our team.

Equal Opportunity Employer


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For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.