Production Departmental Supervisor - Packing Supervisor
Job Summary: The Packing Supervisor is a working supervisor responsible for leading the daily operations of the Packing department in a food manufacturing environment. This role oversees employees, packaging lines, equipment, production documentation, safety, and department performance while remaining knowledgeable and hands-on in packing operations. The Packing Supervisor ensures finished products are packaged accurately using approved materials, labels, procedures, and specifications; coordinates production flow with other departments; and develops the equipment and product knowledge necessary to troubleshoot issues, minimize downtime, and support the team.
Key Responsibilities and Skills:
Leadership & Team Management
• Supervise the daily activities, attendance, performance, and conduct of Packing employees, including Packing Leads and Associates.
• Plan daily operations, assign work, monitor progress, adjust labor as needed, and ensure production priorities and department goals are met.
• Serve as a working supervisor who understands packaging processes and can step into line setup, operation, or packing activities when operational needs require.
• Train, coach, mentor, and evaluate team members to build technical knowledge, reinforce expectations, and maintain a skilled and accountable workforce.
• Participate in interviewing and hiring decisions, performance evaluations, coaching and corrective action, and recommendations regarding employee termination.
• Enforce company policies, attendance and timekeeping expectations, break and meal schedules, and department procedures consistently.
• Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, respectful communication, safety, and continuous improvement.
Packing & Production Oversight
• Coordinate daily Packing activities with the Assistant Production Manager, Blending, Weigh-Up, and other departments based on the production schedule and operational priorities.
• Obtain and review production orders, packaging specifications, schedules, and operational plans needed for the shift.
• Ensure finished products are packed to approved specifications, including correct product, package type, fill quantity, seals, labels, coding, and case configuration.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive knowledge of company products, packaging formats, line setups, changeover requirements, machinery, and product-specific packing needs.
• Know how to set up, operate, and adjust Packing department equipment and ensure employees are trained to operate it correctly and safely.
• Monitor line speeds, staffing, production flow, changeovers, and downtime; adjust assignments and coordinate resources to meet production targets.
• Respond to packaging defects, equipment failures, spills, incorrect materials, weight discrepancies, or process deviations; troubleshoot within training and escalate appropriately.
Production Documentation & Quality Coordination
• Follow and reinforce established GMPs, food safety, quality, allergen, labeling, and traceability requirements within the Packing department.
• Verify production paperwork is completed accurately and thoroughly, including product identification, lot tracking, quantities, packaging checks, yields, and other required production records.
• Verify product and packaging material identity, lot information, label and code accuracy, and required weight or count checks; investigate and escalate discrepancies.
• Coordinate with Quality personnel when packaging accuracy, product identification, label verification, pre-operational checks, documentation, or product hold concerns require Quality review or direction.
• Exercise authority to stop production when a safety, food safety, quality, labeling, or process concern is identified; request a product hold when appropriate and promptly involve Quality and management for evaluation and direction.
• Ensure work-in-process and finished products are correctly identified, protected, handled, and staged in accordance with established procedures.
• Support assigned Food Safety and Food Security responsibilities applicable to the position, including serving as a HACCP Team Member when designated.
Equipment, Sanitation & Safety
• Ensure packaging machinery, scales, tools, and work areas are maintained in clean, sanitary, organized, and safe condition.
• Coordinate line clearance, cleaning, changeovers, and required pre-operational activities with Sanitation, Quality, Maintenance, and other applicable departments as needed.
• Ensure employees follow required safety procedures, PPE requirements, equipment operating procedures, and safe work practices.
• Identify and address unsafe conditions or behaviors promptly and report incidents, hazards, equipment concerns, and maintenance needs through the appropriate channels.
• Become forklift certified through the company and safely operate a forklift as required to support Packing operations.
• Identify equipment malfunctions and assist with basic adjustments and troubleshooting within training; promptly coordinate repairs and preventive maintenance needs with Maintenance.
Inventory, Yield & Waste Control
• Oversee proper handling, identification, rotation, and control of packaging materials, work-in-process, finished goods, tools, and department supplies.
• Monitor production yields, packaging material usage, scrap, rework, waste, and product loss; identify discrepancies and opportunities to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
• Ensure required packaging materials, labels, tools, PPE, and operational supplies are available for scheduled production; communicate shortages promptly.
Communication & Continuous Improvement
• Maintain clear communication with the Assistant Production Manager, Blending, Weigh-Up, Quality, Maintenance, and Shipping & Receiving to support production flow and resolve operational challenges.
• Review end-of-shift paperwork and department status, and communicate unresolved issues, production concerns, staffing needs, and follow-up items to the appropriate leaders.
• Identify opportunities to improve line efficiency, changeovers, safety, productivity, employee training, packaging accuracy, waste reduction, and department processes.
• Delegate productive work during downtime and ensure employees remain engaged in department priorities, housekeeping, training, or other assigned work.
Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:
• Minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience in a manufacturing, production, or related environment.
• Food manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English required.
• Packaging line, machine operation, or related production experience preferred.
• Forklift experience preferred; must be willing and able to complete company forklift certification and operate a forklift as required.
• Experience with packaging equipment setup, changeovers, and basic troubleshooting preferred; willingness to learn department machinery required.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, time management, and employee development skills.
• Ability to learn and retain detailed technical knowledge of products, packaging materials, labels, machinery, line setups, specifications, and department procedures.
• Working knowledge of GMPs and basic food safety, allergen, and traceability requirements in a food manufacturing environment preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in production documentation and process control.
• Ability to prioritize, multitask, solve problems, and make sound decisions in a fast-paced production environment.
• Basic computer skills for documentation, communication, and reporting.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing production schedules, staffing needs, and job duties.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
• Ability to lift and carry materials weighing up to 50 lbs. repeatedly throughout the shift.
• Occasional pushing, pulling, and maneuvering of packaged products, cases, materials, carts, or equipment.
• Prolonged periods of standing, walking, bending, reaching, climbing, and moving throughout the production facility.
• Ability to safely mount, dismount, and operate a forklift after completing required company certification.
• Ability to safely work around moving packaging equipment, conveyors, and production lines while following required machine-guarding and safety procedures.
• Exposure to a food manufacturing environment with varying temperatures, noise levels, airborne spice particles, and strong spice or food odors.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, hairnets, masks or other respiratory protection when required, and safety glasses, for extended periods.
• Ability to work a production schedule that may require extended hours, weekends, holidays, or schedule changes based on business needs.
Other Duties:
• Follow food safety and quality protocols.
• Follow GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices), housekeeping and safe work practices.
• Other duties as assigned.
Benefits:
Circle U Foods offers a benefits package that includes:
• Company paid employee-only health (HMO), dental, vision, and life insurance. A PPO health plan is offered with a cost share.
• Voluntary insurance plans for short-term disability coverage, Accident, Hospital and Critical Illness.
• Additional voluntary life insurance policy available
• Accrued Paid Time Off: 0-5 years, 2 weeks; 5-10 years, 3 weeks; 10+ years 4 weeks
Equal Opportunity Employer
Circle U Foods, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Conditions of Employment
• Eligibility to Work: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and provide appropriate documentation to complete the I-9 verification process.
• Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
• Transportation Requirement: Applicants must have reliable transportation to and from work to meet job attendance and punctuality requirements.
• Pre-Employment Screening: Candidates must successfully pass a background check and drug test.