What are the responsibilities and job description for the Production Supervisor position at MANA NUTRITIVE AID PRODUCTS, INC.?
Summary:
The Production Supervisor will lead and direct the daily operations of a Production team and processes in a peanut butter facility which produces RUTF (Ready to Use Therapeutic Food) for children suffering from SAM’s (Severe Acute Malnourishment). This role is key for the development of employees, continuous improvement initiatives, plant and food safety and modeling Mana’s culture.
It is the expectation of each employee to perform tasks with the utmost of integrity to ensure food safety, legality, and quality requirements are always maintained within the capacity of the assigned position.
Culture Requirements:
Our mission is to Feed Kids! To accomplish this mission, we must know who we are as a Village and then decide how we will conduct ourselves to realize this great mission. We are guided by three simple “we are” statements. As leaders, we must know these principles but, most importantly, live them!
- We are a Village – Culture:
o Our culture transcends the walls of our factories. We view our employees and their families as integral members of a larger movement to end malnutrition worldwide.
- We are not jerks – Behavior:
o Our work is rooted in kindness. We believe in respecting every individual’s dignity, never letting anyone be just a number. From the way we run our factories to how we handle global logistics, empathy guides every decision.
- We are the “they” – Attitude:
o If we truly believe that what impacts one of us touches us all, then it’s our responsibility to consider how our actions shape the communities we work in, the people we serve, and the partners who help us make a difference.
Leaders should also learn Mana’s 10 Core Values and begin the journey of making these your core values. (Appendix 3 in the Mana Village Handbook)
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- Provide technical knowledge for processes and equipment to maintain and improve production.
- Develop a high-performance team by engaging, coaching and supporting team members, and by pursuing accountability and ownership within teams.
- Cultivates relationships by engaging employees on the floor – presence on production floor is 80% of the workday.
- Leads and oversees employees and processes in operations.
- Champions Mana’s culture, plant safety, food safety, and quality efforts.
- Performs other duties as assigned within the scope of this role.
Plant Operations & Production Management
- Oversee daily production efforts in assigned area.
- Monitor production schedules, workflow, and inventory to meet demand while minimizing waste.
- Drive operational efficiency through process improvements and lean-manufacturing practices.
- Monitor and ensure that PM’s and emergency repairs are completed to ensure equipment integrity and food safety compliance.
Team Leadership & Staff Development
- Supervise, direct and mentor production team.
- Oversee the work of support staff (Quality, Maintenance, Warehouse, Sanitation) and communicate opportunities for improvement or any issues to their immediate supervisor.
- Foster a culture of safety, teamwork, accountability, and mission alignment.
- Ensures team is current with mandatory training.
- Conduct regular performance reviews and support ongoing staff training and development.
Compliance, Safety, and Quality Assurance
- Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal food safety and workplace safety regulations (e.g., FSSC, FDA, GDA, GFSI, OSHA).
- Work closely with the Quality Assurance team to maintain product integrity and safety.
- Maintain documentation and lead internal audits to ensure readiness for inspections and certifications.
- Participate in and lead internal/external audits and continuous improvement initiatives (eg, 5S, RCA, performance walks, MDI, blitzes).
Strategic Planning & Cross-Functional Coordination
- Collaborate with leadership on strategic planning regarding shut-downs, major PM’s and equipment and process improvements.
- Coordinate with procurement, distribution, and development teams to align operations with organizational goals.
- Implement and track KPIs to measure operational effectiveness and report outcomes to leadership.
Skills and Qualifications:
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing safety standards, food safety regulations, and quality control practices.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated results in the use of continuous improvement tools to improve safety, quality, and financial performance.
- Ability to organize, manage multiple priorities, and maintain high attention to detail.
- Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, ERP, CMMS / MRO systems.
Education and Experience:
- Requires high school diploma or equivalent.
- Prefer a bachelor’s degree in science, business, engineering or a related field.
- 5 years of experience in operations, manufacturing, or production management, preferably in the food sector.
- PCQI Certification, HACCP/Food Defense/Sanitation/FSSC training is highly desired.
Physical Requirements:
- Prolonged periods of standing and walking in production environments.
- Occasional periods of sitting at a desk, working on a computer and/or attending training.
- Must be able to lift 50 pounds at times.
- Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities.
Competitive pay with relocation assistance.
Monthly and annual bonuses available based on performance!