Lead Production Supervisor — Ops Excellence & Team Growth

California-Dairies,-Inc.-; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Colonial Group in Bakersfield, CA, seeks a Production Supervisor to lead the plant floor teams toward Best in Class operational excellence, training and coaching staff to achieve goals.

You will drive planning, scheduling, and execution of production activities while ensuring compliance with GFSI, Cal/OSHA, and customer requirements, and manage KPIs like safety, quality, and OEE. This role demands strong leadership and collaborative skills across departments.

Qualifications

• Must have working knowledge of GFSI requirements in warehousing activities.
• Must understand and comply with Cal/OSHA requirements.
• Must have working knowledge of ERP, MES, WMS, QMS and CMMS systems.
• History of successfully building and leading teams.
• Ability to effectively problem solve and communicate with all levels.

Responsibilities

• Train, develop, and coach Operations Technicians to build a best-in-class team.
• Plan, schedule, and execute production activities for peak performance.
• Ensure regulatory compliance with Federal, State, and Local requirements for the plant.
• Oversee KPI ownership: safety, food safety, quality and cost performance.
• Lead daily meetings, standard work, and drive OEE and uptime improvements.
• Identify root causes and implement corrective actions; manage CMMS & PM programs.
• Foster collaboration across departments and model the company values.

Skills

Team leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Decision making / judgement

Education

High school diploma/GED

Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management

Tools

ERP

MES

WMS

QMS

CMMS

Job description

Job Summary

Production Supervisors are the leaders of the plant floor and are responsible for building and leading “Best in Class” production teams that are focused on Total Plant Operational Excellence. The Production supervisors will be responsible to create an environment that promotes individual team member success, effective collaboration between departments, and establishes a culture that always believes in getting better. Production Supervisors are responsible for training, development, and coaching of all team members to achieve operational excellence.

Essential Functions

• Responsible for the training, development, and coaching of the Operations Technicians including identifying skills needs and training opportunities to ensure “Best in Class” Team performance.
• Responsible to ensure effective planning, scheduling, and execution of all production activities to allow for highest possible Team performance.
• Responsible to ensure Team regulatory compliance to all Federal, State, and Local requirements as pertaining to UHT, ESL, Low Acid Aseptic Fluid Milk Bottling plant.
• Responsible to ensure Team compliance to all customer co-packing requirements.
• Responsible to oversee development, implementation, training, and long-term adherence to all Plant Operations’ Team owned KPI’s:
• Team Member Safety
• Plant Food Safety and Plant Product Quality

• • Team Member Job Satisfaction and Team Member Development

• Daily Team and Direction Setting Meetings
• Job Specific Standardized Work and Associated Training
• OEE, Schedule Adherence and Operational Controlled Uptime
• Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action
• CIL and Master Sanitation Schedules
• Center-lining and Defect Identification
• PM Compliance and CMMS Utilization by Operations Team
• Cost per Unit, Waste and Variance Control
• Plant Operations Operating Expenses
• Labor and Overtime Budgets
• Cost Savings Identification and Cost Savings Justification
• Responsible to actively support and promote a plant culture that believes in always getting better.
• Responsible to ensure effective collaboration and positive teamwork between all departments.
• Always lead by example with integrity and a commitment to always do it right.
• Responsible to always look forward to identify and prevent potential failure modes.
• Responsible to identify and share new technologies, new equipment, and new processes that will continue to maintain VNB’s place as the industry leader.
• Be able to identify when and where your support is needed and be present to give support when needed.
• Responsible to always represent VNB in a positive manner to vendors, contractors, team members, visitors, etc.

• Support and enforce SQF / QA, GMP, Safety policies and procedures, and production needs. “Food Safety and Quality” are the responsibilities of this position.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Lead:

• Clearly communicate the company's vision & goals and how the team's work contributes to them.
• Set a positive example through their own work ethic, attitude, and commitment to quality.
• Develop and empower team members by delegating tasks effectively and providing opportunities for growth and development.

Guide:

• Provide clear instructions and expectations, along with the “why”, for tasks and projects.
• Offer regular feedback and coaching to help team members improve their skills and performance.
• Foster a sense of teamwork and shared purpose, emphasizing that the team is stronger together.

Support:

• Recognize and celebrate team accomplishments and individual contributions.
• Advocate for the team's needs and concerns, up, down, and across the organization.
• Encourage and support the team to challenge the status quo, to identify and suggest process improvements, and to embrace innovation.

Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must have a working knowledge of GFSI requirements in warehousing activities.
• Must have understanding and demonstrated ability to comply with Cal/OSHA requirements.
• Must have a working knowledge of ERP, MES, WMS, QMS, and CMMS systems.
• Must have a history of successfully building and leading Teams.
• Must have a demonstrated ability to effectively problem solve.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with all levels inside and outside of the organization.
• Must have demonstrated leadership skills and a desire to serve others.
• Must demonstrate good judgement when carrying out duties as assigned.

Education and/or Experience

• High school diploma/GED.
• 1 or more years combined experience working in a supervisory or equivalent leadership role in a fluid milk, ESL, or low acid aseptic bottling operation or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management is preferred – may substitute 3 years of work experience.

Language Skills

English is required as the written and spoken language.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Certificate of Completion from Better Process Controls School preferred.

Driving Requirements

N/A

Equipment

Personal protective equipment including, but not limited to hearing protection, bump caps, hair and beard nets, gloves, and safety glasses must be used in the performance of duties. Proper lifting techniques must be employed at all times.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The company will make reasonable accommodations that do not cause an undue hardship if such an accommodation enables individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

ADA/FEHA

The Company will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act.

EEO

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Physical Demands

The physical requirements outlined here represent those necessary for successful performance of this position's core responsibilities. Upon request, the company will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these fundamental job duties, provided such accommodations do not create an undue burden on the organization.

Sitting/Standing/Walking: Stands, walks and sits during completion of job responsibilities.

Lifting/Carrying: Occasional lifting requirements as job demands. Must be able to lift a minimum of 40 lbs. on an occasional basis.

Pushing/Pulling: Occasional pushing or pulling requirements.

Bending/Stooping: Occasional bending and stooping requirements.

Squatting/Kneeling/Crawling: Occasional kneeling or crawling requirements.

Twisting/Turning: Ongoing twisting or turning requirements.

Climbing/Balancing: Climbing and balancing is required during plant inspections, and other related job requirements.

Reaching: Ongoing reaching requirements associated with job requirements.

Grasping/Manipulating: Grasping and manipulating of papers, objects, and equipment will be required. Ability to keyboard for data input will be required on an ongoing basis.