Production Supervisor

Job Description

Position: Production Supervisor

Department: Production

Reports to: Unit Manager

About the Company:

Water Lilies Food, LLC is a private equity-backed manufacturer and distributor of premium Asian-inspired food. Established for 30 years, the company moved in 2020 to a new state-of-the-art facility in Bay Shore, NY (Suffolk County Long Island) and is experiencing rapid growth. We are developing and supplying product for some of the leading retailers, wholesalers, and branded Asian-appetizer businesses. Our Vision is to be the preferred supplying partner of premium Asian-inspired food. We achieve this by living up to our Mission to deliver our products and services with attention to detail, a continuous improvement mindset, agility, and authenticity. Our culture is a place where employees can have a meaningful impact on the business and organization. We work collaboratively and humbly strive to get better every day while being respectful of all talents and backgrounds. The company is embarking on another major expansion project and is expecting to more than double the business in the next 3-5 years.

Job Summary:

This role has responsibility to achieve productivity, efficiency, customer service, cost, quality, safety and employee engagement objectives through both individual and team contributions. Provides direction, leadership, development and support to direct reports through empowerment, teamwork, on-the-job assignments and continuous improvement projects and initiatives. Develops, implements and promotes safety programs and safe work practices through involvement in plant safety teams, programs and initiatives. Promotes sound employee & labor relations within the department by developing and maintaining effective organization with qualified personnel. Develops, promotes, and supports continuous improvement and other cross-functional initiatives. Ensure smooth operation in a fluid, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities:

• Interpret job order specifications and assign responsibilities accordingly.
• Partner with management to ensure production goals and customer deadlines are consistently met.
• Inspect products and packaging to verify conformance with established quality and safety standards.
• Lead and supervise hourly employees, ensuring proper training, adherence to safety protocols, and compliance with operational procedures.
• Communicate and enforce all company safety guidelines and food safety protocols in alignment with regulatory and internal standards.
• Establish or adjust work procedures and priorities to meet production schedules.
• Analyze and recommend improvements to production methods, equipment performance, and product quality.
• Recommend and implement changes to working conditions or equipment usage to enhance efficiency and overall department performance.
• Investigate and resolve work-related issues while providing guidance and support to employees.
• Maintain accurate timekeeping and production records.
• Collaborate with Line Leads and operators to ensure all materials, equipment, and machinery meet production requirements.
• Communicate effectively with management and cross-functional departments, providing updates on production efficiency, equipment status, and workforce needs.
• Ensure consistent compliance with all food safety and workplace safety requirements.
• Assign daily tasks, monitor employee performance, and provide coaching, feedback, and corrective action when necessary.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and results-driven work environment that promotes teamwork and open communication.
• Oversee the timely and efficient completion of production activities in alignment with company objectives.
• Manage equipment and facility utilization to maintain operational continuity and efficiency.
• Identify and troubleshoot operational issues, escalate significant concerns, and coordinate resolutions with the Operations Manager.
• Conduct routine safety inspections, identify potential hazards, and implement corrective actions.
• Monitor and uphold product quality standards to ensure compliance with customer specifications.
• Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs), including productivity, quality, and safety metrics.
• Prepare detailed shift reports and propose process improvements based on performance data.
• Support scheduling, attendance tracking, and timecard management for hourly personnel.
• Assist in the onboarding, training, and development of new team members.
• Promote continuous improvement by encouraging participation in training and skill-development programs.
• Strategically schedule and manage labor resources to optimize operational throughput and efficiency.
• Maintain a strong technical understanding of equipment, actively supporting Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) initiatives.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by management to support departmental and organizational goals.

Requirements / Competencies:

• Associate degree or equivalent professional experience required.
• Minimum 2 years of supervisory or operations experience, preferably within a manufacturing, warehouse, or production environment.
• Experience in the food processing industry (USDA or FDA-regulated) preferred.
• Experience with both Raw and Ready-to-Eat (RTE) processes is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong analytical skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Must be bilingual (English/Spanish).

Core Competencies:

• Planning & Organizing: Prioritizes and coordinates resources effectively to meet productivity goals.
• Problem Solving: Identifies root causes, evaluates alternatives, and implements effective solutions.
• Leadership: Provides direction, sets expectations, and develops team members to achieve performance excellence.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates tact and composure under pressure; fosters collaboration and open-mindedness.
• Safety & Security: Adheres to all safety and security protocols; proactively identifies and reports hazards; ensures safe equipment use and workplace practices.

Physical Requirements:

This role requires physical mobility of the employees as they will need to enter various parts of the factory. The employee will occasionally move within the office to access office machinery, file cabinets and collaborate with colleagues. Consistent use of office equipment such equipment may include but is not limited to computers, phones, printers and copiers. The employee will be required to frequently communicate with both internal staff members as well as external parties or customers and must be able to convey accurate information. This position may require repositioning of or movement of equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description is subject to change based on company needs as expressed by management.