Production Supervisor, Whey

Leprino Foods; Lubbock (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses

Life insurance

Medical/Dental/Vision

401(k) Profit-Sharing

Tuition assistance

Paid holidays & PTO

Employee assistance programs

Job summary

Leprino Foods in Lubbock, TX, at a new, state-of-the-art 600-person facility, seeks a Production Supervisor (Whey) to advance our dairy ingredient growth. You will lead a team of hourly employees in the Whey Department, drive safe, efficient production, and mentor operators across shifts.

The role emphasizes coaching, collaboration with maintenance and quality teams, and adherence to HACCP/GMP guidelines to ensure product quality and food safety.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Dairy Technology, or related field or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years in food manufacturing with at least 1 year leading or mentoring.
• Experience with processing or packaging systems and equipment operations.
• Strong computer proficiency, familiarity with SAP or similar software.
• Able to work weekends, swing, and overnight shifts.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support hourly team in the Whey Department, ensuring quality, safety, and production.
• Plan daily staffing to meet production goals and maintain a safe, collaborative environment.
• Coach, mentor, and develop team members through training and feedback.
• Communicate clearly and recognize performance to build trust and teamwork.
• Supervise shift operations to meet productivity and quality standards.
• Partner with maintenance and quality teams to address equipment needs and repairs.
• Enforce policies fairly while encouraging accountability and engagement.
• Oversee sanitation and food safety programs meeting regulatory requirements.
• Promote safe work practices and ensure employees have needed tools and training.
• Monitor performance and identify improvements to reduce waste.

Skills

Team leadership

Food manufacturing experience

SAP / manufacturing software

Computer literacy

Shift flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science or Dairy Technology

Tools

SAP

Job description

Within our brand new state-of-the-art 600-person manufacturing facility in Lubbock - Leprino is seeking a Production Supervisor (Whey) to move our organization to even larger levels of dairy ingredient growth! We take pride in our vision to be "world's best", it is why we work harder, invest more, and continually innovate.

What You'll Do:

• Lead and support a team of hourly employees in our Whey Department, ensuring consistent product quality, team safety, and efficient production each shift!
• Plan and schedule daily staffing to meet production goals while maintaining a safe, collaborative work environment.
• Guide, mentor, and develop team members through coaching, feedback, and ongoing technical and safety training.
• Build a culture of trust and teamwork by communicating clearly and recognizing performance that makes a difference!
• Supervise daily shift operations to meet or exceed established standards for productivity, yield, and product quality.
• Partner with maintenance and quality teams to identify equipment needs and ensure timely repairs that keep production moving.
• Reinforce company policies consistently and fairly while encouraging accountability and engagement.
• Oversee quality systems and sanitation programs that meet all food safety expectations and regulatory requirements.
• Promote and lead safe work practices every day, ensuring employees have the tools and training they need to perform their jobs safely.
• Monitor financial and operational performance, recommending improvements that enhance efficiency and reduce waste.

You Have At Least (Required Qualifications):

• A bachelor's degree in Food Science, Dairy Technology, or a related field - or equivalent work experience.
• 5+ years of experience in food manufacturing, with at least 1 year of experience leading, mentoring, or delegating work to others.
• Working knowledge of processing or packaging systems, including equipment operations and troubleshooting.
• Strong computer proficiency and the ability to learn systems such as SAP or other manufacturing software.
• Able to work weekends, swing, and overnight shifts.

We Hope You Also Have (Preferred Qualifications):

• Experience in dairy or cheese manufacturing, particularly in packaging or processing operations.
• Prior supervisory experience in a production or manufacturing setting.
• Technical understanding of packaging systems and mechanical aptitude for diagnosing operational issues.
• Familiarity with HACCP, GMPs, and sanitation practices that ensure food safety excellence!

At Leprino, we believe in equal employment opportunity and make employment decisions based on each individual's unique talents, experience, skills, and knowledge; we do not discriminate on the basis of any personal characteristics. We know we are better together and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive culture in which all employees can thrive.

Offering You In Return:

A chance to be part of a global team of individuals passionate about producing and delivering high-quality products that help feed and nourish families around the world. Leprino could not be where it is today without our incredible employees. That is why we share in our success together by rewarding you for your hard work. Hiring great people who are in it for the long run is our goal. Through competitive salaries and bonuses, life, medical/dental/vision coverage, voluntary benefits, employee assistance programs, wellness incentives, tuition assistance, vacation, ten paid holidays, sick time, paid parental leave, annual merit increases, as well as the LFC Profit-Sharing & 401(k) plan. Your impact will be noticed and rewarded, as you seek to further our company, our customers, and one another.

Our Story:

Leprino's history dates back to the 1950s, when Jim Leprino first started making small batches of mozzarella for local markets and eateries in the Little Italy neighborhood of Denver. We've grown a bit since then. Today, Leprino is the world's largest manufacturer of mozzarella and lactose, and a leading producer of whey protein. Still owned by the Leprino family, our sights are set to be the "World's Best Dairy Food and Ingredient Company." From a small corner grocery store we have grown to over 5,500 employees throughout the globe. Will you join us on our journey?