Production Supervisor

Vanguard Soap; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanguard Soap seeks a Production Supervisor Second Shift to lead a 20–30 person operations team in a fast-paced manufacturing and packaging environment. You will drive daily production execution to meet safety, quality, service, and cost objectives while providing hands-on leadership on the production floor.

The role champions Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and standard work to eliminate waste and sustain operational excellence.

Qualifications

• 2-year Associate Degree required (or current enrollment) and 2-5 years' supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience supervising teams in manufacturing, production, or high-speed packaging.
• Lean manufacturing experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of 20–30 production associates, including temporary employees, to achieve SQDC objectives on second shift.
• Execute the production schedule to ensure work orders are completed accurately, on time, and per specifications.
• Ensure readiness by verifying raw materials, components, packaging supplies, and line clearances.
• Drive safety performance by enforcing plant safety standards and conducting floor audits.
• Maintain product quality by adhering to SOPs, GMP, and regulatory guidelines; document production and quality records.
• Monitor line performance using metrics (efficiency, yield, downtime) and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with Maintenance, Quality, Planning, and Warehouse to minimize downtime and ensure smooth shift transitions.
• Lead Daily Management System activities and drive continuous improvement using Lean principles.

Skills

Team leadership

Lean manufacturing

Safety compliance

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Associate degree

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Packaging equipment

MS Excel

Job description

The Production Supervisor Second Shift is responsible for leading and developing a high-performing operations team of 20–30 associates, including temporary employees, in a fast-paced manufacturing and packaging environment. This role drives daily production execution to ensure safety, quality, service, and cost objectives are consistently achieved. The Supervisor provides hands‑on leadership on the production floor, ensuring packaging and processing equipment is operated efficiently, materials are verified and staged correctly, and finished goods meet established quality standards and target production rates.

This position champions Lean manufacturing principles, continuous improvement initiatives, and standard work to eliminate waste, improve efficiency, and sustain operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of 20–30 production associates, including temporary employees, to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost (SQDC) objectives on second shift.
• Execute the production schedule established by the Production Planner to ensure work orders are completed accurately, on time, and in accordance with specifications and standard production rates
• Ensure operational readiness by verifying raw materials, components, packaging supplies, and line clearances prior to start-up and throughout production.
• Drive safety performance by enforcing plant safety standards, conducting routine floor audits, addressing hazards proactively, and modeling safe behaviors at all times.
• Maintain product quality and compliance by ensuring adherence to SOPs, quality standards, GMP requirements, and regulatory guidelines; oversee accurate and timely completion of production and quality documentation.
• Monitor line performance and productivity using key metrics (efficiency, yield, downtime, scrap, labor utilization) and implement corrective actions to meet or exceed targets.
• Partner with Maintenance, Quality, Planning, and Warehouse teams to minimize downtime, resolve production issues, and ensure smooth shift-to-shift transitions.
• Partner with the Production Planner / Buyer to communicate production constraints, labor availability, downtime risks, and material issues that may impact production schedules.
• Lead Daily Management System (DMS) activities, including shift start‑up meetings, performance board reviews, and problem‑solving discussions.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean manufacturing principles to reduce waste, improve throughput, and sustain standard work.
• Ensure appropriate staffing and training to meet production requirements; coach employees on performance expectations and develop team capability.
• Maintain accurate reporting and administrative processes, including production metrics, material usage, labor reporting, downtime tracking, and temporary staffing payroll.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, and clear communication across departments and shifts.
• Escalate operational risks and performance gaps to the Production Manager and recommend practical solutions.

Qualifications

• Experience supervising teams in a manufacturing, production, or high‑speed packaging environment.
• Hands‑on experience with packaging and production equipment in an industrial setting.
• Lean manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Strong computer proficiency and math skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to lead diverse teams, including temporary workforce members, in a results‑driven environment.

This role requires a hands‑on leader who thrives on the production floor, builds strong teams, drives performance, and delivers consistent operational results.

Minimum Education or Equivalent Experience Required

2‑year Associate Degree required (or special cases, current enrollment in such a program), Bachelor's Degree preferred. 2-5 years' supervisory experience preferred and should have experience managing production lines in a manufacturing environment.