Supervisor, Production

California Dairies, Inc.; Visalia (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

California Dairies, Inc. is seeking an experienced supervisor to oversee daily operations of separators, evaporators, churns, and dryers in a dairy production facility. The role includes equipment operation, cleaning, paperwork, and maintaining clean, sanitary work areas.

The position requires supervisory leadership, adherence to GMP, HACCP, safety policies, and the ability to mentor staff while ensuring quality product and efficient plant performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with progressively responsible experience.
• Minimum two years in manufacturing; supervisory experience preferred.
• Additional dairy manufacturing experience and leadership skills welcomed.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operation of plant equipment including separators, evaporators, HTST’s, dryers, and packaging.
• Supervise, schedule, mentor, and direct the workforce in the area of responsibility.
• Ensure safety training, GMP, HACCP compliance, and accurate documentation.
• Maintain clean, sanitary work areas and conduct regular safety stand‑ups.
• Monitor costs, inventory, and efficiency; report issues to management.

Skills

Leadership

Safety procedures

Problem solving

Verbal/written communication

Team management

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

Job Summary

Oversees the daily operation of separators, evaporators, churns, and dryers. Operations include running of equipment, cleaning of equipment, and completion of necessary paperwork in a clear, concise manner. Maintaining the work areas in a clean and sanitary condition at all times.

Essential Functions

• Responsible for daily operation of plant, including but not limited to, receiving, separators, evaporators, HTST’s, dryers, butter processing, Ava‑Pac powder packaging and UF/RO plant.
• Supervises, schedules, tracks, mentors, and directs the workforce in area of responsibility
• Must obtain medical clearance to use respirator and maintain certification.
• Monitors and maintains quality of product throughout efficient manner.
• Monitors chemical use during clean‑up and maintains proper rotation of product.
• Keeps plant in “inspection ready” condition: have all air blows and foot baths changed daily, have floors and drains cleaned as needed, have recording charts in proper condition and check state seals on equipment, inform management as needed.
• Informs all departments of necessary changes or run conditions and report to supervisor any problem encountered and then follow any further instruction from the management.
• Checks tanks and tankers for proper CIP.
• Monitors and reduce controllable cost, i.e., chemical usage, overtime, breaks, etc.
• Maintains inventory of supplies, of assigned items.
• Takes powder and fluid inventory of product daily.
• Reports violations of company policies, procedures and working rules to management.
• Follows and enforce all GMP, HACCP, safety, food safety, attendance and working rules, and improve safety awareness by completing safety stand‑up meetings each month.
• Completes and submit on the job training reviews for all assigned employees.
• Follows all safety and working rules.
• Must have the ability to get along with co‑workers, management personnel, customers, vendors, and employees in accordance with the company policies and working rules while ensuring a harmonious and conducive work environment.
• Maintains a positive attitude and contribute toward a quality environment.
• Excellent regular full‑time attendance in support of company objectives.
• Use initiative and judgment in making decisions, keeping with California Dairies, Inc.’s best interests.
• 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 be included:

• Must have the ability to trouble shoot problems and be persistent until a solution is found.
• Must work in a safe manner and follow all safety procedures including use of safety equipment.
• Must be willing to ask for assistance when the process is unclear.
• College level verbal and written communication skills.
• Leadership, team development, coaching, and/or teaching experience.
• Basic computational skills required.
• Simple math reasoning and statistical skills required.
• Must demonstrate good judgement when carrying out duties as assigned.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of work/specialized training with progressively responsible experience.
• A minimum of two years’ experience in the manufacturing industry and preferably in a supervisor‑level role is required.
• Additional dairy manufacturing experience and demonstrated leadership skills will be considered.

Language Skills

English is required as the written and spoken language.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Must possess or be able to obtain and maintain California State Pasteurizers License and California State Sampler’s and Weigher’s License.

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. Operates personal computer to enter data and run reports, radios security or managerial staff and other standard office equipment.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those and employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties. Employees will be subject to temperatures associated with an air‑cooled room to temperatures in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit while working in proximity to dryer and to wet environments (hot or cold) during cleaning‑in‑place (CIP) operations. May be required to enter confined spaces to perform equipment inspections.

This job description will be updated if duties and responsibilities change significantly. Job functions are subject to modification based on business necessity

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: The supervisor stands throughout their shifts. The supervisor walks on uneven concrete and tiles surfaces.
• Lifting/Carrying: The supervisor lifts up to 60 lbs. on a frequent basis and 80 lbs. on an occasional basis. Two or more employees’ complete lifts of greater than 80 lbs.
• Pushing/Pulling: Some pushing or pulling could be involved in assisting operators make hook‑ups of piping of equipment.
• Bending/Stooping: The supervisor stoops throughout the workday, for varying lengths of time. The supervisor may have to bend and stoop when servicing product pumps and during clean‑up duties and when picking up items off of the floor.
• Squatting/Kneeling/Crawling: The supervisor may assume any combination of these positions during clean‑up duties, including kneeling on the floor and crawling under equipment. The supervisor may squat to use legs for leverage when using a large wrench to open product presses.
• Twisting/Turning: The supervisor may assume any combination of these positions during clean‑up duties. The supervisor may be required to work in tight places.
• Climbing/Balancing: The supervisor is involved in the loading out of condensed skim milk, requiring climbing a flight of stairs to the top of the tanks and balancing on the tanker while making the necessary hook‑ups and opening of the dome covers. The supervisor is involved in the inspection of processing equipment, which could involve climbing over 100 steps to the top of the dryers or evaporators.
• Reaching: The supervisor reaches at or above shoulder level at various times during the shift when making adjustments on the control panel or making pipe fitting connections or washing milk silos. The supervisor may have to reach during clean‑up assignments or to climb vertical ladders.
• Grasping/Manipulating: Grasping and manipulating of papers, object, and equipment will be required. Ability to keyboard for data input will be required on an ongoing basis.

Fraudulent Recruiting Scam Disclaimer

To all applicants: We take your safety and privacy seriously at California Dairies Inc. All job applicants are directed to apply only through the official career pages. Please be aware that our talent team will never ask for any form of payment, financial account details, or sensitive personal information such as social security numbers. If you receive any suspicious messages claiming to be from California Dairies Inc., please contact us at [e-mail]. U.S. residents can get more information from the FTC at https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams.

The pay range is listed below and represents a good faith estimate upon hire. The final offer will depend on factors such as the candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications.