Plant Supervisor
4 hours ago
Company Context:
A successful contract food manufacturer. A financially healthy and growing organization. We have been in business for over 30 years. We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, in a 70,000 sq. ft. facility. Our customers range from Fortune 500 food companies to smaller food industry start-ups. The plant produces over 100 unique items. No two days are alike; our work is characterized as complex, exacting, fast paced, and subject to constant change and revision. Our customers frequently complement the plant on its organization, cleanliness, and modern features.
We have a well-defined culture. We are very performance and results-driven. We all change lightbulbs and we don't spend a lot of time on bureaucracy. We have a strong work ethic, sense of urgency, seek to be responsive and nimble, and attention to detail is critical. We lean conservative with high standards and low risk tolerance. We are a "no surprises" and "no loose ends" company - both externally and internally. This culture is a great fit for some people, but not all or even most. We like our culture and we look for people that want to fit our culture.
We are obsessed with serving our customers and they are the center of our universe; we enjoy positive, long-term relationships with our customers. We compete on the basis of value, not price. As a contract spray dryer, we view our plant as "our customer's plant."
We are equally committed to our employees and recognize that they are the foundation of the company. Without our employees, their dedication and hard work, there would be no customers to serve.
We believe any business is about people, process, and results. In that order. Our workforce is every bit as important to us as our customers. Employee care is just as important as customer care. Every single person is this organization is individually and jointly instrumental in our performance and marketplace reputation. We have witnessed significant and rapid changes in the workforce and we have changed as well to remain a strong employer.
Job Context:
We are a small manufacturing company, with 65 employees, of which 40 employees are hourly manufacturing employees, nonunion. We operate on a 4 crew system. Each shift is comprised of 7 to 10 people. This position reports to the Operations Manager, who reports to the Plant Manager.
The Day shift Supervisor works 515 AM to 600 PM, 7 days out of 14; 2 of the 7 days are one Saturday and one Sunday - this makes for an average 45 to 50 hour work week. The official crew hours are 545 AM to 600 PM based on a 3-2 schedule.
The Overnight shift Supervisor works 515 PM to 600 AM, 7 days out of 14; 2 of the 7 days are one Saturday and one Sunday - this makes for an average 45 to 50 hour work week. The official crew hours are 545 PM to 600 AM based on a 3-2 schedule.
The 3-2 schedule works as follows:
Week 1 = Mon & Tues - ON, Wed & Thurs - OFF, Fri, Sat & Sun ON
Week 2 = Mon & Tues - OFF, Wed & Thurs - ON, Fri, Sat & Sun OFF
Because of our size, our Plant Supervisors are comfortable with personally "rolling up his/her sleeves" to lead projects and work to resolve problems. Our Supervisor role is a hands-on, "working Supervisor" role. Our Supervisors must also be comfortable and welcome the opportunity to interact with customers in the production process.
Responsibilities:
Ensures the human safety is the top priority in all operations and material handling.
Reinforces and supports a culture that truly puts safety first and is imbedded as such in every employee's mind and actions
Works to ensure that processes, capabilities, and mindset are developed to provide for a working environment free of food safety issues (with QA Manager)
Works to ensure that processes, capabilities, and mindset are developed to provide for the production of ingredients that meet or exceed exacting customer requirements; makes recommendations for further improvement (with QA Manager)
Works to ensure that processes, capabilities, and mindset are developed to provide for a strong performance/results/continuous improvement focus from every employee
Achieves, and reports, daily performance metrics to include safety, quality, cost, delivery, and plant housekeeping and appearance. Reviews and assesses results against expectations.
Conducts investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective actions for incidents and processes that are not performing to expectations
Contributes to building a highly capable organization, with focus on optimizing:
Daily work tempo; scheduling
Training
Hiring
Workflow and documentation
Shift management
Engagement
Continuous improvement
Workforce development
Timely resolution of employee questions and concerns
As needed, work with customers in person and by phone on ongoing work, new products, production issues.
Develops/leads/works/participates/implements continuous improvement projects around safety, quality, cost, capital, etc as assigned
Builds a healthy working environment where expectations are clear, roles are clear, conflicts are surfaced and resolved, accountability is present, people are good listeners and good communicators, and underperformance is simply not allowed to continue or is accepted
Able to work beyond normal shift time to ensure smooth transitions, PTO coverage, and completion of job responsibilities
Qualification:
BS highly desired, but not an absolute requirement; technical or business degree preferred
10 or more years related manufacturing experience in a processing industry, food processing experience desirable
6 years leadership/management experience in a processing industry (not an assembly line industry), with at least 4 years as a manufacturing Supervisor
Proficient and fully capable with ERP systems, PM systems, and Microsoft Office
Proficient and experienced with CI principles, TQM principles, and data analytics
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
You will be happy in this job if the following is true:
You are results and mission focused - get the job done, break through barriers and distractions; do not "accept" work from your crew or others that does not meet our requirements or philosophy
You openly and quickly share good or bad news that needs to be shared; you share not only the news, but the "so what" and the action plan
You know what it means to "own your shift" and you want to own your shift
Your presence on the shift makes a meaningful difference in the results of that shift, that day, every day
You are a critical thinker that gives great attention to detail. Analyze situations, resolve conflicts in the data or among people, and propose solutions
You are able to maintain and complete detailed written records
You like a smaller company's focus on the work, customers, people, while minimizing bureaucracy, longer deliberations, and politics
You believe all people deserve equal respect and care, no matter their level
You are organized and your work is organized; no one ever has to remind you of a task or "chase you" to follow-up on a deliverable
You proactively close the loop, communicate to keep others informed, and promptly tie up loose ends
You do everything in your power to avoid creating a surprise
You respect deadlines, deliverables, and responsibilities and communicate early and often if there is a roadblock that you need help with
You are a leader, a General of your shift; you are not a news reporter
You are coachable
You know that a key to success is your own positive and appreciative attitude
You are not a "fair weather" leader who is most comfortable when everything is running as smooth as silk
You know that good things come to those that hustle, and only those that hustle. Y
ou routinely go the extra mile.
Benefits:
401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Employee assistance program
Flexible spending account
Health insurance
Health savings account
Life insurance
Paid time off
Tuition reimbursement
Vision insurance
An Equal Opportunity Employer.
