Manufacturing & Sanitation Supervisor

OPPORTUNITY 

Position: Manufacturing & Sanitation Supervisor, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas

Reports to: Production Manager, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas

Location: Waukegan, Illinois, about 40 miles north of Chicago’s Loop

Position Summary:

• Manage day-to-day operations to ensure people and resources are applied in an efficient and effective manner to meet the Manufacturing schedule and Sanitation requirements while achieving quality and safety standards. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Direct the activities of Manufacturing & Sanitation with clear expectations, goals and optimize workflow to meet targets.
• Create schedules, work assignments, and monitor progress, performance and machine operation.
• Ensure compliance with Food Safety, Quality, and Sanitation regulations, including HACCP and GMP standards.
• Train, coach, and manage employees. Listen to employee feedback and resolve issues or conflict.
• Promote high standards through personal example and ensure team understands the behaviors and actions expected of them.
• Identify areas for improvement in productivity, waste reduction, quality and safety. 
• Maintain safe work environment by educating and directing personnel on OSHA standards and internal policies.
• Identify, investigate, and resolve delays in operations.
• Facilitate maintenance and repairs of equipment.
• Work with the Production Manager and other leaders to identify and address inefficiencies and opportunities for cost reduction.
• Provide Feedback to the Management team with ideas and improve operation, recommending, supporting, and implementing continuous improvement activities and process and procedure improvements to optimize results and improve quality of delivery.
• Work effectively with other departments that support the manufacturing process. 

Knowledge and Characteristics:

Strongly Preferred

• Experience: 3–5 years of experience in a food production environment, with at least 1–2 years in a supervisory role.
• Team Leadership & People Management: Skills to manage, mentor, and train a diverse production staff, including handling performance reviews, conflict resolution, and fostering a positive, safe culture.
•  Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance Deep, practical knowledge of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), SQF, and sanitation standards to maintain a safe, compliant environment.
• Production & Operational Knowledge: Thorough understanding of food processing equipment, machinery, and daily production workflows, including troubleshooting, scheduling, and maintaining raw material/packaging inventory.
• Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement: Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or Kaizen methodologies to minimize waste, improve efficiency, and enhance productivity.
•  Technology & Data Literacy: Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. 

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and influence cross-functionally.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

ATTENDANCE:

Must be punctual and timely in meeting all requirements of performance, including, but not limited to, attendance standards and work deadlines; beginning and ending assignments on time; and scheduled work breaks; where applicable.

COMPETENCIES:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Intellectual

• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures.
• Design - Generates creative solutions; Translates concepts and information into images; Uses feedback to modify designs; Applies design principles; Demonstrates attention to detail.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations.
• Project Management - Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.
• Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.

Interpersonal

• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• External Working Relationships – Develops and maintains courteous and effective working relationships with clients, vendors and/or any other representatives of external organizations.

Leadership

• Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results.
• Delegation - Delegates work assignments; Matches the responsibility to the person; Gives authority to work independently; Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; Provides recognition for results.
• Managing People - Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self-available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products and services.; Continually works to improve supervisory skills.

Organization

• Business Acumen - Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals; Analyzes market and completion and adapts strategy to changing conditions.
• Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures.

• Business Necessity – The needs of the employer may be dependent on responding to and anticipating rapidly changing external and internal demands in all aspects of how business is conducted. This may include, but is not limited to, organization structure, finances goals, personnel, work processes, technology, and customer demands. Therefore, it may become necessary to no advance notice to employees. Accordingly, the employees must be capable of adapting, with minimal or no advantage notice, to changes in how business is conducted, and work is accomplished, with no diminishment in work performance.

• Safety and Security –All employees are responsible for observing safety and security procedures as applicable and reporting potentially unsafe conditions to management.