Production Supervisor - 3rd Shift

Production Supervisor

SHIFT: 3rd

Why you will love working at Maola®: Built on over a century of dedication, Maola is always looking ahead—investing in our people, strengthening our communities, and securing fresh, local dairy for the future. Join a farmer-owned cooperative rooted in integrity, sustainability, and a passion for providing fresh, high-quality Maola dairy products. We prioritize your well-being with competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with employer match, Life Insurance, paid time off, and more—available within your first month. Our employees are an integral part of who we are — what you do and what you think matters.

Starting Annual Salary Range: $70,000 - $80,000

Summary

The purpose of the Production Supervisor position is to support employees in achieving success as they produce and ship products that meet the required volume, quality standards, and adherence to production and shipping schedules. This role focuses on ensuring operations are efficient and cost-effective while driving continuous improvement in plant performance. Enforce company policies, federal regulations from FDA, USDA, OSHA, and EPA.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. To fulfill the purpose of the Production Supervisor, key responsibilities include:

• Collaborating and clarifying daily production, shipping schedules, and other manufacturing objectives.
• Supporting employees in meeting job requirements and ensuring adherence to schedules, throughput, and quality standards by clearly communicating objectives, providing training, ensuring availability of tools and materials, and enforcing accountability.
• Monitoring daily process performance, identifying gaps in meeting goals, and initiating timely corrective actions while maintaining effective communication with relevant stakeholders.
• Leading and engaging employees in focused business and process improvement initiatives.
• Coordinating production activities with maintenance, quality, and sanitation teams to optimize machine and equipment performance.
• Promoting a sense of urgency during production runs and addressing machine downtime promptly.
• Completes daily paperwork including Log Sheets, Accident Reports. Status Report for Plant Manager, and Time and Production records.
• Conducts walk through and inspection of plant operations to ensure that plant is in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices and Quality Standards.
• Ensure a safe work environment and compliance with safety protocols. Enforce Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) policies, Good Manufacturing Policies (GMP), safety regulations, and plant documentation standards.
• Verify proper setup of production lines for specific products. Ensure all products meet food safety and quality specifications. Assist operators in achieving throughput and quality standards efficiently.
• Provide clear direction, training, and support to employees to meet job performance, GMP, and housekeeping standards.
• Monitor process performance, identify root causes of underperformance, and address issues effectively, including personnel matters.
• Manage time and attendance records for production staff and arrange shift coverage when approving time off.
• Perform organoleptic testing (e.g. sensory testing with taste, smell, touch, and sight) on finished product. Other duties may be assigned.

Basic Requirements :

High school diploma, General Educational Development (GED) certificate, or international equivalent. Bachelor's degree or equivalent of education and experience preferred. Minimum of 3 years of related supervisory or leadership experience preferred. Manufacturing experience with exposure to continuous improvement practices, lean manufacturing, and statistical methods preferred. Ability to adapt to changing organizational and operational needs. Willingness to work a 12-hour rotating shift schedule.

Competencies

Communication: Communicate clearly and effectively through multiple channels – oral, written, visual, and non-verbal – ensuring our messages are understood and delivered appropriately, whether in-person or digitally.

Accountability: Take responsibility for actions and anticipate challenges before they arise. Solve problems both within and outside of departments, proactively addressing issues as they occur.

Customer Focused: Prioritize understanding and meeting both internal and external customer needs. Ensure high levels of satisfaction and loyalty by anticipating customer requirements and striving for exceptional service.

Initiative: Proactive in identifying opportunities and addressing potential threats. Act independently and decisively, rather than waiting for situations to demand action.

Problem-Solving: Possess the ability to identify and address complex issues with minimal guidance. Skilled at analyzing challenges and finding practical, effective solutions.

Collaboration: Take responsibility for deliverables while also supporting others to ensure that collective goals are met. Able to work harmoniously with others toward a common goal, recognizing and valuing each person's contributions, is fundamental to successful collaboration.

Physical Demands

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee must be able to reach, bend, extend, and lift 50-60 pounds. The employee is frequently required to perform organoleptic assessments. This requires the acute physical ability to taste, smell, see, and feel product samples to detect deviations in flavor, aroma, color, and texture. The employee must be physically able to consume and evaluate a wide variety of food ingredients, including potential allergens (e.g., dairy, wheat, soy, nuts) processed in the facility.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment may require working in the cooler room with varying degrees of temperature and may include contact with water or dairy liquids. Exposed to a noise level of 90 decibels. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate/high. Wet/slippery work conditions.

Maola Local Dairies® is a farmer-owned cooperative sustainably producing a full suite of nutritious dairy products. Maola processes milk, cream, butter, and dry milk powders through our network of six dairy processing plants. With a keen eye on quality, freshness, and love for the environment, Maola delivers dairy products that are both nutritious and sustainable to our local communities. For more information about Maola, please visit . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.