Plant Supervisor

Short Intro and About the Job

Job Summary

At Danone, Manufacturing the best products and supplying them to meet demand is a key driver for our plant teams. We are currently looking to hire a Plant Supervisor based in Minster, OH!


The Plant Supervisor is responsible for leading and developing a high-performing manufacturing team across processing and production operations to deliver world-class results in Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, People (Mobilization), and Sustainability (Nature). This position provides end-to-end leadership for shift operations, ensuring the efficient conversion of raw materials into finished products while maintaining the highest standards of food safety, quality, employee engagement, and operational performance.

The Plant Supervisor drives execution of daily production plans, develops frontline talent, ensures compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements, and champions continuous improvement initiatives that improve reliability, productivity, waste reduction, and operational effectiveness. This role serves as a critical link between Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Warehouse, and Supply Chain teams to ensure seamless plant performance. You will work the 2,2,3 schedule.

Key Responsibilities

As a key member of our team, you will play an important role in driving our mission forward. The following responsibilities outline the core expectations and contributions for this position:

Leadership & People Development

• Lead, coach, and develop frontline manufacturing employees to achieve operational and business objectives.
• Foster a culture focused on safety, quality, accountability, and teamwork.
• Conduct performance management activities, including coaching, performance reviews, development planning, recognition, and corrective actions.
• Plan, assign, and direct work activities to optimize workforce effectiveness and production performance.
• Promote employee engagement while ensuring fair and consistent application of company policies, labor agreements, and plant rules.
• Identify and develop future talent through training, mentoring, cross-training, and succession planning.
• Reinforce standard work and operating practices to ensure consistent execution across the operation.

Operational Excellence

• Manage daily operations across the plant to ensure achievement of SQCDMN objectives.
• Execute production schedules while optimizing labor utilization, equipment effectiveness, product quality, and customer service performance.
• Utilize IWS principles, Daily Management Systems, and Short Interval Management tools to identify issues and drive timely resolution.
• Analyze shift performance and implement actions to mitigate risks and eliminate operational losses.
• Establish priorities and ensure completion of short- and long-term operational objectives.
• Coordinate plant activities to ensure smooth transitions between shifts and departments.

Quality, Food Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all products meet food safety, quality, regulatory, customer, and company requirements.
• Maintain compliance with SOPs, Quality Assurance Requirements (QARs), ISO standards, CCPs, OPRPs, and all applicable food safety programs.
• Lead and participate in investigations related to food safety, quality, and regulatory non-conformance events.
• Verify effective sanitation, CIP processes, and equipment turnaround activities to maintain operational readiness.
• Ensure proper product handling, inventory management, ingredient utilization, and processing controls.

Continuous Improvement & Loss Elimination

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Integrated Work Systems (IWS), Lean Manufacturing principles, autonomous management, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste, lower costs, and increase operational reliability.
• Lead and participate in root cause analysis and implement sustainable corrective and preventive actions to improve operational performance.
• Manage and improve key loss metrics, including yield, ingredient loss, downtime, and quality defects.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to improve manufacturing processes and operational efficiency.

Equipment Reliability & Technical Leadership

• Collaborate with Maintenance and Reliability teams to support equipment effectiveness and uptime.
• Support preventive maintenance planning and execution to improve equipment reliability.
• Assist in identifying equipment repair, replacement, and capital improvement opportunities.
• Provide technical leadership related to dairy processing and production systems.
• Support operational readiness for new equipment installations, upgrades, and engineering projects.
• Ensure appropriate escalation and resolution of equipment-related issues.

Performance Management & Reporting

• Monitor and communicate shift performance against established KPIs.
• Maintain accurate production, labor, inventory, attendance, quality, and operational records.
• Prepare and present operational reports, action plans, and performance updates.
• Utilize business systems, including workforce management and payroll platforms, to administer attendance and scheduling processes.
• Drive accountability through KPI review, data analysis, and action plan execution.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, Warehouse, Supply Chain, and other stakeholders to optimize plant performance.
• Provide operational support to adjacent departments as business needs require.
• Participate in plant initiatives, operational reviews, and audits.
• Act as a change leader in implementing new processes, technologies, and organizational initiatives.

Physical Demands

• This role requires the ability to perform essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Requires the ability to perform essential physical job functions, including frequent standing, walking, bending, and manual dexterity; reaching with hands and arms; and occasionally climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling. Must be able to lift 10-25 lbs and over 25 lbs with assistance occasionally. Requires adequate sensory abilities, including talking, hearing, and tasting/smelling, to support safe and effective job performance.
• Requires strong communication, adaptability, and the ability to interpret instructions, analyze information, and develop actionable plans.
• Ability to effectively manage stress and maintain performance in a fast-paced, high-demand manufacturing environment.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in a manufacturing environment with exposure to moderate noise levels, temperature variations, and extended periods on concrete surfaces.
• Work schedules may include nights, weekends, and/or holidays to support a 24/7 manufacturing operation as business needs dictate.

Engagement in Our Integrated Work Systems

Ensure compliance with Integrated Work Systems (IWS), plant procedures, GMPs, food safety, quality, safety, finance, and operational excellence standards. Actively participate in the implementation, sustainment, and continuous improvement of applicable IWS pillars, including Leadership Foundation, Daily Direction Setting, Driving OE, Autonomous Maintenance, Planned Maintenance, Focused Improvement, Education & Training, EHS, Quality, Organization, Supply Network, and Early Equipment Management. Drive ownership of safety, quality, delivery, cost, people, and sustainability performance while supporting a culture of continuous improvement.

About You

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of education, experience, and skills that enable them to excel in this position. The following qualifications outline what we're looking for, including both required and preferred criteria:

Education & Experience:

• High School/GED required
• Associate's degree (or greater) in a relevant field (Mechanical, Chemical, Engineering, Food Science, etc.) preferred
• If there is no complete degree, candidates must have equivalent leadership work experience (2 plus years) in a manufacturing/processing environment
• Previous supervisory experience within a food environment is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Must be self-motivated, working independently toward departmental objectives. Excellent analytical, trouble shooting, conflict management and problem-solving skills.
• Desirable but not essential:

• • Dairy experience.
  • Previous leadership in a union environment.
• Experience in lean manufacturing methodologies.
• Skills

• • Meticulous work ethic and keen awareness to detail
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Prioritizes responsibilities and tasks
  • Time management skills

About Us, We offer and What's next

Danone U.S. is part of Danone North America, a purpose-driven company and an industry leader in the food and beverage category. You'll work with some of the best-known food and beverage brands in the world. Our strong portfolio of brands includes: Activia®, DanActive®, Danimals®, Dannon®, evian®, Follow Your Heart®, Happy Family® Organics, International Delight®, Light + Fit®, Nutricia ®, Oikos®, Silk®, So Delicious® Dairy Free, STōK® Cold Brew Coffee ®, Too Good & Co™, and YoCrunch®.


With approximately 5,000 employees and 13 production locations across the U.S., Danone North America's mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible.


You'll be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps™ in the world , working to make sure our company creates real value for people and the planet. Come join our movement for a healthier world: One Planet. One Health BY YOU.

Danone North America is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. It is our policy to give equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to legally protected characteristics, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state/provincial and/or local law. For our EEO policy statement and your EEO rights under law click here.

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