Production Supervisor

empirical Foods; Garden City (KS); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

empirical Foods is seeking a Production Supervisor to oversee start-up, production, and clean-up activities while maintaining quality, safety, and cleanliness standards. This role will also support research and development efforts and assist in testing and pilot runs as needed.

The position provides ongoing training and development for employees and requires strong supervisory skills, basic math, and mechanical aptitude. Weekend availability may be required.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of plant production experience or equivalent.
• Experience in a supervisory or leadership role is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise 2+ production employees; assist in hiring, evaluations, and salary adjustments.
• Maintain materials and equipment readiness for inspections.
• Ensure equipment is cleaned, assembled/disassembled, and ready for production with high safety and cleanliness standards.
• Coordinate shift changes and data entry into logs and records; communicate with supervisors.
• Report production issues promptly to plant management; coordinate with maintenance and production teams.
• Uphold procedures and safety regulations as set by ownership; enforce company policies.
• Conduct daily plant condition inspections and report issues to the Production Superintendent.
• Handle routine shipping, receiving, and inventory control as needed.
• Demonstrate process improvement capabilities and mentor others.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Math skills

Computer literacy

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Job description

This position supervises plant production efforts including start-up, actual production, and daily clean-up operations. Responsible for quality safety and cleanliness. This role will also support research and development activities as well as assist in testing and pilot runs as needed. This role provides ongoing training and development of employees.

Responsibilities

• Will supervise 2 or more employees. Will provide input regarding administration of personnel functions including selection and hiring, performance evaluations, and salary adjustments. Communicate objectives, assign tasks, and train production personnel in all related work and safety activities. Maintain accurate and timely personnel records. Strive to improve the technical competence of direct reports.
• Ensure raw material and equipment are in a constant state of “tour” readiness and prepared for inspection.
• Ensure equipment is assembled, disassembled, cleaned properly, and ready for production. Responsible for maintaining high standards of safety and plant cleanliness.
• Responsible for an efficient and timely transition from production to sanitation process. Ensure efficient shift change and full communication of related items to supervisors. This includes accurate and timely data entry into logbooks, spreadsheets, and other recordkeeping mechanisms, along with effective verbal communication to appropriate personnel.
• Immediately report or correct any production problems during shift. Communicate to plant management any issues requiring special attention during shift. Communicate with both maintenance and production management to coordinate activities.
• Will maintain the integrity of procedures and processes set by ownership. Will assist in enforcing company policies and safety regulations on production employees.
• Provide daily inspection of all plant conditions and report issues to Production Superintendent for daily group discussion. This includes monitoring and inspecting equipment operations to ensure that safe operating standards are followed and that strict cleanliness requirements are met.
• May perform routine shipping, receiving, and inventory control functions. May perform backup coverage to other areas, as needed.
• Demonstrate technical competence to enable participation in process improvement.
• Self-educate to broaden exposure and capability to lead others and improve effectiveness.
• Ability to perform all essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Skills and Abilities

• Strong mechanical aptitude or background in working with precision machine parts.
• Basic math skills.
• General computer knowledge and proficiency is preferred.

Demonstrated Competencies

• Display of supervisory and leadership skills.
• Effective problem-solving skills are required.
• Ability to work and develop successful employees, fostering and leading in an environment of cooperation.
• Communicate effectively with all levels of employees both in verbal and written form.
• Must have regular and punctual attendance.

Physical Requirements

• This position requires walking, standing, twisting, reaching, bending, climbing, and lifting.
• Must be able to lift, push, and pull up to 60lbs.
• Must be willing and able to work flexible hours, including weekends.

Experience: Minimum of 1 year of plant production experience or equivalent is required. Experience in a supervisory or leadership role is preferred.

Education: High School diploma or equivalent, or verifiable ability to perform essential job functions.

Benefits We Offer

Our company is known for its competitive pay, benefits, and opportunities to advance. Depending on position benefits may include: Health/Dental/Vision, Disability, Life, Flex Medical and Dependent Care, Matching 401(k), Profit Sharing, Paid Vacation and Holidays.

Our company is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, religion, national origin or sex in violation of Title VII. The company prohibits discrimination against employees, applicants for employment and students on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran’s status.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Vet/Disabled

Post offer physical and substance testing required.