Supervisor Production - 1st Shift - Fort Smith

Simmons Animal Nutrition, Inc; Fort Smith (AR); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Simmons Animal Nutrition, Inc. in Fort Smith, AR seeks a Supervisor Production for 1st shift to lead a front-line team, ensure safety and quality, and meet daily production goals.

You will schedule staff, track attendance, review time off, manage throughput and yields, and collaborate with HR, Safety, Maintenance, QA to drive continuous improvement and Lean initiatives. This exempt role requires strong leadership, English proficiency, and experience in food production or similar operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 4 years of related work experience, with at least 1 year in a leadership role.
• Ability to read, write and communicate in English; strong people management skills.
• Experience applying LEAN concepts and continuous improvement in manufacturing.
• Knowledge of safety, quality standards and regulatory compliance in food production.

Responsibilities

• Lead a front-line production team to meet daily goals and safety standards.
• Schedule, track attendance, and approve time off for direct reports.
• Monitor production metrics, throughputs, yields, and quality compliance.
• Coordinate with HR, Safety, Maintenance, and QA to optimize operations.
• Maintain inventory records and ensure timely requisition of supplies.

Skills

Leadership

Safety awareness

Communication

LEAN concepts

Scheduling

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or 4 years related work experience including 1-year in leading role

Tools

Microsoft Office

Computers

Job description

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Supervisor Production - 1st Shift - Fort Smith

• Posted on November 5, 2026

Locations

Showing 1 location

Fort Smith, AR 72916, USA

• Operations
• Full-Time
• Requisition #: SUPER049841

Description

Purpose of the Position

Leads an assigned production team to achieve goals and problem-solve while demonstrating a commitment to employees' safety, teamwork, and product quality. Responsible for product processing, packaging, and storage in compliance with FDA, USDA, and Simmons rules and regulations.

Essential Position Responsibilities - This is a Salary Exempt position.

Leads a team of front-line employees. Effectively communicates with and motivates employees to drive productivity and achieve company goals. Supervises employees to maintain discipline, teamwork, and safety to meet daily production requirements. Responsible for scheduling, tracking attendance, and reviewing and approving time off for their direct reports. Responsible for work effort and appraisal of personnel. Responsible for Safety Training and practicing company Core Values.

Supervises and coordinates the activities of workers engaged in processing and/or the development of a product or a service. Maintains inventory records. Requisitions ingredients and/or supplies as necessary to meet delivery schedules. Evaluates materials and products to maintain organizational standards. Confers with other supervisors to coordinate activities between departments.

Manages and utilizes various production reports. Reviews daily production against customer requirements. Interprets, understands, and manages reports within responsible area such as throughput, yield, etc. Meets production requirements while maintaining appropriate line speeds and efficiency ensuring quality products. Accomplishes all paperwork in accordance with established time frames or record keeping requirements.

Emphases a safe work environment. Promotes a safe work environment as well as meets safety requirements complying with all policies or regulations set forth by Simmons, OSHA, and various government agencies concerning safety, environment, handling of food products, packaging, ingredients and any related items.

Creates a continuous improvement culture . Fosters a continuous improvement culture for direct reports. Ensures operations are being performed appropriately in order to improve processes and to continually find ways to drive out waste. Applies LEAN concepts and procedures to the day-to-day production operations. Accomplishes quality performance which meets or exceeds all line, department, facility, company, and USDA/FDA guidelines or grading process for a total quality program and customer relations.

Communicates at all levels in order to meet production expectations. Collaborates with the functional areas of operations such as Human Resources, Safety, Maintenance, Quality Assurance, Finance, Shipping and others. Communicates at all levels to maximize processing of the highest quality product at the lowest cost possible.

Manages employees. Directs and supervises employees’ work activities and monitors work performance. Collaborates with Human Resources to screen, interview, and hire candidates. Administers disciplinary actions and recommends performance improvement actions in collaboration with the HR Manager. Monitors work performance and recommend compensation decisions based on guidelines. Follows Simmons values to develop and maintain a favorable working relationship with all employees. Promotes a cooperative and harmonious environment in order to facilitate positive employee morale, productivity, and continued improvement.

Participates as a member of the Team . Participates in the ongoing development, communication, and implementation of team concepts, programs, and policies; coordinates work to ensure best practices with all team members. Attends appropriate team meetings. As a member of the Team, fosters strong cohesiveness regarding all major issues; e.g., direction, annual plan, budget, policy changes, etc. Accepts responsibility to quickly identify any areas that lack cohesiveness, bringing them to the attention of the team leader and working with the team in a supportive manner to resolve issues and actively look for ways, and reinforce actions needed, to achieve synergy possible within the larger organization.

Simmons Operating systems principles and objectives: Is familiar with Simmons’ established operating systems (e.g. quality, security, office environment, company policies, LEAN); understand the responsibility to maintain familiarity with the systems and this position’s role in support of these systems - including a consideration of the impact of individual actions on the systems and the responsibility to communicate concerns and improvement ideas.

Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives: This position description is intended to guide the activities of the person in this position and is not intended to limit the thinking and creativity of the person as to the work of this function nor is it intended that this describe all the work that may be required of the person in this position.

Physical Activities: Enters and locates information on a computer. Visually verifies information, often in small print. Communicates with Customers, Vendors, or Employees via telephone, in person, and/or electronic mail. May present information to small or large groups. Must be able to work in various temperatures. Move about in a manufacturing environment and surrounding property.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): As required by the facility.

Travel: May travel to other local facilities.

Technical Experience: Willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction required. Must be able to read and write English. Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods. Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resource management, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. Must be familiar with computers and be proficient in Microsoft Office suite.

Industry Experience: Preferred experience within a food processing organization.

Minimum Education : Bachelor’s Degree or 4 years related work experience with a minimum of 1-year experience in a leading role included in the 4 years related work experience

Preferred Education: N/A

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.