Production Supervisor

ApplicantPool; Burgaw (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Cardinal Foods, based in Burgaw, NC, is seeking a Production Supervisor to lead warehouse operations, oversee forklift personnel, and ensure safe, accurate material handling and timely shipments. The role emphasizes inventory control, adherence to food safety protocols, and collaboration across Production, Quality, and Maintenance.

The candidate will manage inventory accuracy, supervise staff, and drive continuous improvement in material flow and loading efficiency while maintaining GMPs and

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year of forklift operating, warehouse, shipping/receiving, or related experience.
• Current forklift operator certification or ability to complete certification.
• Previous supervisory or warehouse leadership experience preferred.
• Strong organizational and inventory management skills.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct supervision and daily direction to forklift operators and warehouse personnel.
• Ensure daily equipment inspections and report any deficiencies.
• Coordinate receiving, weighing, documentation, and storage of materials.
• Maintain proper identification, storage, rotation, and movement of materials.
• Maintain accurate inventory records for materials and finished goods.
• Keep warehouse, dock, cooler/freezer, and exterior areas clean and inspection-ready.
• Coordinate with Production to ensure material availability and prevent congestion.
• Prepare and stage finished products for on-time shipments.
• Verify product and lot information before loading shipments.
• Ensure FIFO/FEFO compliance in product movement and shipping.

Skills

Forklift operation

Supervisory leadership

Inventory management

Safety compliance

Facility coordination

Job description

Cardinal Foods a domestic Marketer, Manufacturer and Distributor of traditional, specialty and value-added fruit and vegetable ingredients. These products are currently manufactured in North Carolina with a short-term eye on growth in the southeast and then to other concentrated growing areas nationally.

The Production Supervisor is expected to maintain clean, organized, and food-safe warehouse and exterior storage areas; ensure inventory records are accurate and current; and promote a culture of safety, accountability, efficiency, and continuous improvement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide direct supervision, leadership, scheduling, and daily direction to all forklift operators and warehouse personnel. Forklift operators will report directly to the Warehouse Manager, with a dotted-line relationship to the appropriate Production Shift Supervisor while supporting production activities.
• Ensure forklift operators complete required daily equipment inspections and immediately report equipment deficiencies, damage, or unsafe operating conditions to the Maintenance Department.
• Coordinate the receiving, weighing, documentation, and orderly storage of all incoming raw materials, ingredients, packaging materials, and other supplies.
• Ensure raw materials and packaging are properly identified, stored, rotated, and moved in accordance with company food safety, traceability, and inventory procedures.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date inventory records for raw materials, packaging materials, work-in-process materials, and finished goods.
• Ensure warehouse, dock, cooler/freezer, and exterior storage areas are maintained in a clean, organized, safe, and inspection-ready condition.
• Coordinate with Production to ensure materials are available when needed while preventing unnecessary congestion or accumulation of materials in production and warehouse areas.
• Prepare and stage finished products as far in advance of scheduled shipments as practical to support efficient loading and on-time deliveries.
• Verify that the correct product, item code, lot number, pallet number, quantity, and other required information are confirmed before products are loaded for shipment.
• Ensure all finished products are handled and shipped in accordance with FIFO/FEFO requirements and company product movement procedures, as applicable.
• Manage truck loading activities with a target of completing loading within two hours from the time the trailer door is opened until the trailer is closed and sealed.
• Ensure trailers are inspected prior to loading and that all required shipping documentation and seals are properly completed.

General Summary

Cardinal Foods a domestic Marketer, Manufacturer and Distributor of traditional, specialty and value-added fruit and vegetable ingredients. These products are currently manufactured in North Carolina with a short-term eye on growth in the southeast and then to other concentrated growing areas nationally. CF may also be engaging in other complimentary business ventures as the opportunities arise in the future. It is the intention of management to grow the business revenue exponentially within five years. This growth will come via customer demand in various channels, participating in both traditionally available products and new products aligned with the global food growth trends (e.g. healthy eating, cleaner label). Team, product and processes are critical to our success as we are recruiting high performers with extensive experience that can perform and manage multiple functional responsibilities. Our lean organizational structure, headquartered in Burgaw, NC and doing business there, will allow CF to control cost and achieve its profitability targets. As a lean organization, it is required that we maintain a collaborative work environment with focus and dedication to achieving the desired results. The goal of CF is to build a team of members who are honest, hardworking and show ability even without experience as these characteristics will enable our company to continue to prosper and remain at the top of the industry. With our location close to the coast we exemplify a laid back, family-oriented environment that truly encourages productivity and innovation.

Job Description

• The Production Supervisor is responsible for the safe, accurate, and efficient operation of all warehouse activities, including receiving raw materials and packaging supplies, inventory control, storage, staging, and shipment of finished products. This position provides direct leadership to warehouse and forklift personnel while coordinating closely with Production, Quality, Maintenance, and other departments to ensure materials and finished products are handled properly and production and shipping schedules are met.
• Perform or oversee a complete physical inventory of finished goods no less than quarterly and reconcile discrepancies as necessary.
• Perform or oversee a monthly physical inventory of packaging supplies located both onsite and in outside warehouses.
• Investigate inventory discrepancies and implement corrective actions to improve inventory accuracy.
• Coordinate with USDA personnel, Quality Assurance, and other regulatory representatives as necessary to pull products for inspection, sampling, or review.
• Ensure all product holds, releases, and restricted inventory are properly identified and controlled in coordination with the Quality Department.
• Maintain proper product traceability and follow all company policies and procedures governing product movement.
• Monitor warehouse productivity and identify opportunities to improve material flow, loading efficiency, storage utilization, inventory accuracy, and labor efficiency.
• Promote and enforce safe forklift operation, pedestrian safety, dock safety, proper material handling, and all applicable company safety policies.
• Ensure employees follow GMPs, food safety requirements, sanitation procedures, and company policies at all times.
• Assist with outdoor warehouse and facility activities as needed, including ensuring exterior areas remain free of waste, full lugs, totes, pallets, and other unnecessary materials.
• Provide training, coaching, and performance feedback to warehouse employees and hold team members accountable for established expectations.
• Communicate effectively with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Shipping, Purchasing, and Management regarding inventory needs, scheduling issues, equipment problems, and other operational concerns.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by Management.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Minimum of one year of forklift operating, warehouse, shipping/receiving, or related experience.
• Current forklift operator certification or the ability to successfully complete company forklift certification requirements.
• Previous supervisory or warehouse leadership experience preferred.
• Strong organizational and inventory management skills.
• Ability to lead employees, establish priorities, and maintain accountability.
• Self-motivated with a strong sense of urgency and commitment to completing assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks while consistently meeting production and shipping deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail, particularly regarding product identification, lot control, inventory accuracy, and shipping documentation.
• Commitment to personal safety and the safety of employees, contractors, drivers, and visitors.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with Production, Quality, Maintenance, USDA personnel, transportation providers, and other departments.
• Basic computer skills and the ability to use inventory, shipping, and warehouse management systems as required.