Production Supervisor

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) is a farmer-owned, dairy marketing cooperative owned by more than 12,500 family farmers. Our mark matters and it represents the wholesomeness of dairy that we share with our communities and loved ones. DFA Zumbrota is part of the Ingredient Solutions Division manufacturing dairy-based ingredients and innovative flavor solutions for customers in the food manufacturing and food service channels.  Ingredient Solutions has the capability to produce a variety of high-quality products including cheese to custom formulations and trendsetting dairy ingredients.

Our fingerprints touch thousands of brands across the marketplace, we’re passionate about delivering the simple pleasures of dairy to people everywhere, straight from our family farm-owners.

By joining DFA, you can help us continue to make a difference that matters. We care deeply about the well-being of our neighbors and friends, and we celebrate the diversity of our company and our world. It takes an incredible team to deliver the goodness of dairy and enrich our communities – come join us 

DFA Zumbrota has an opening for a Production Supervisor (Nights 12-hour Shift) in our Dryer Department. The Production Supervisor directly supervises production employees to maximize productivity on assigned shifts and areas.  This includes planning, assigning, and directing work, coordinating daily CI review Meetings, addressing product and employee concerns, and resolving problems. 

This person carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the company’s policies, OSHA regulations and applicable laws to ensure standard operating procedures, GMP’s/SQF, quality and CI programs are understood and followed while supervising and leading the operations of the Dryer Department during their shift.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supervise wet processing, spray drying, filling, and packaging personal and associated activities
• Works with Plant Management and other Supervisory Staff to assign, direct, review and monitor work of supervised staff to maximize productivity in the plant.
• Follow all GMP’s and work in a manner consistent with all corporate, regulatory, food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements to produce safe quality food
• Ensures proper procedures are in place and being followed for, production efficiency, quality of product, employee safety, state, and federal guidelines.
• Inspects products to verify conformance to specifications and directs setup and adjustments to machines.
• Coordinates production schedules and estimates worker hour requirements for completion of job assignments.
• Evaluates needs in production for daily assignment of duties; establishes or adjusts work procedures to meet production schedules.
• Recommends improvements to production methods, equipment performance and quality of product.
• Analyzes and resolves work problems or assists workers in solving work problems.
• Maintains time and production records as required.
• Collaborates with other supervisors to coordinate activities of individual departments.
• Provide for the supervision of assigned employees in scheduling and daily activities, ensuring effective selection, retention, feedback, corrective actions, and performance management
• Trains and instructs employees regarding production and equipment standards and processes.  Oversees instruction, implementation, and enforcement of policies as they relate to employees.
• Leads by example with the Company's Code of Ethics.  This includes following company policies, standards, and specifications.
• Engages in the typical responsibilities of a manager requiring planning, evaluating, organizing, integrating, and delegating.
• Utilize CI tools such as A3 or PDCA to identify root cause of issues and problems
• Use DMS (Daily Monitoring System) to show line performance, identify issues and drive actions and counter measures
• Assist Lab and warehouse departments as needed
• Complete required duties in SAP, Kronos, and other plant recording programs
• Assist management in maintaining regular audits. (MDA, SQF, USDA, AIB, GMP, EHS, etc.)
• Monitor and drive the plant safety culture. Participate in any safety programs.  Investigate fully any accidents or near misses
• Champion a continuous improvement culture at the facility
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

Education and Experience

- High School Diploma or Equivalent

- 3 years in a food manufacturing environment preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

- Ability to organize and prioritize tasks

- Ability to coordinate several projects at once

- Ability to pay close attention to details

- Problem solving and follow through

- Promote a safe work culture

- Some knowledge of Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

- Experience using SAP

An Equal Opportunity Employer