Production Supervisor

Production Supervisor, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas

Reports to: Senior Manager of Production and Manufacturing, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas

Location: Waukegan, Illinois, about 40 miles north of Chicago's Loop

Salary Range: $75,000 - $90,000 (Compensation is based on education, skills, experience and other job-related factors.)

Hours: 6am - 2:30pm

Position Summary:

• Manage day-to-day operations to ensure people and resources are applied in an efficient and effective manner to meet the production schedule while achieving quality and safety standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure compliance with all food safety regulations and industry standards, including HACCP, FDA, and GMP.
• Maintains safe and clean work environment by educating and directing personnel on SQF, GMP, OSHA standards and internal policies.
• Direct the activities of the department by establishing priorities, monitoring progress, and revising schedules
• Identify, investigate, and resolve delays in operations, ensuring shipping deadlines are met.
• Inform production, planning department, relevant management, and other stakeholders of delays.
• Facilitate maintenance and repairs of equipment.
• Ensure all equipment and surfaces are properly sanitized and maintained.
• Ensure timely completion of all Quality / Production records.
• Work with the Production Manager and other leaders to identify and address inefficiencies and opportunities for cost reduction.
• Recruit, interview, hire, and train new staff in the department.
• Handle discipline and termination of employees in accordance with company policy.
• Create a healthy and motivating work environment.
• Communicate expectations to production team members and evaluate their performance.
• Listen to team members feedback and resolve any issues or conflict.
• Coach team members on achieving goals, developing necessary skills, and provide feedback.
• Promote high standards through personal example and ensure team understands the behaviors and actions expected of them.
• Provide feedback to the Management team to share ideas and improve operation, recommending, supporting, and implementing continuous improvement activities and process and procedure improvements to optimize results and improve quality of delivery.
• Work effectively with other departments that support the manufacturing process.

Attendance:

Must be punctual and timely in meeting all requirements of performance, including, but not limited to, attendance standards and work deadlines; beginning and ending assignments on time; and scheduled work breaks; where applicable.

Competencies:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Intellectual:

• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures.
• Design - Generates creative solutions; Translates concepts and information into images; Uses feedback to modify designs; Applies design principles; Demonstrates attention to detail.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations.
• Project Management - Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.
• Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.

Interpersonal:

• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• External Working Relationships - Develops and maintains courteous and effective working relationships with clients, vendors and/or any other representatives of external organizations.

Leadership:

• Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results.
• Delegation - Delegates work assignments; Matches the responsibility to the person; Gives authority to work independently; Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; Provides recognition for results.
• Manage People - Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self-available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products and services; Continually works to improve supervisory skills.

Organization:

• Business Acumen - Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals; Analyzes market and completion and adapts strategy to changing conditions.
• Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures
• Business Necessity The needs of the employer may be dependent on responding to and anticipating rapidly changing external and internal demands in all aspects of how business is conducted. This may include, but is not limited to, organization structure, finances goals, personnel, work processes, technology, and customer demands. Therefore, it may become necessary to make modifications to how business is conducted, and work is accomplished, with minimal or no advance notice to employees. Accordingly, the employees must be capable of adapting, with minimal or no advanced notice, to changes in how business is conducted, and work is accomplished, with no diminishment in work performance.
• Safety and Security All employees are responsible for observing safety and security procedures as applicable and reporting potentially unsafe conditions to management.

Knowledge and Characteristics:

Strongly Preferred:

• Minimum of 3-5 years' experience in a food production / processing leadership role.
• Extensive knowledge of HACCP, GMP, FDA, Sanitation, and other food safety regulations.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and influence cross-functionally.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• People/ Team building skills.
• Thorough knowledge of Quality System.
• Demonstrated excellence in people management.
• Prefers managing in a collaborative, action-oriented culture in which the free exchange of ideas and information is encouraged and expected.
• Experience in setting group and individual goals and objectives and establishing performance criteria.

Benefits:

• 401k Plan and up to 4% company matching
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement or Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) - Health, Dependent Care, and Commuter
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Parental Leave
• Bereavement
• Short Term Disability
• Weekly paychecks
• Rewards & Recognition Programs
• Employee Referral Program
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• Annual Bonus Program