Production Departmental Supervisor - Blending Supervisor

Job Summary: The Blending Supervisor is a working supervisor responsible for leading the daily operations of the Blending department in a food manufacturing environment. This role oversees employees, production activities, equipment, documentation, safety, and department performance while remaining knowledgeable and hands-on in the blending process. The Blending Supervisor ensures products are manufactured accurately according to approved formulas, procedures, production schedules, and established company standards; coordinates with Quality and other departments as needed; and develops the technical and product knowledge necessary to effectively troubleshoot operations and support the team.

Key Responsibilities and Skills:

Leadership & Team Management

•         Supervise the daily activities, attendance, performance, and conduct of Blending employees, including Blending 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 the Blending process and can step into production 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.

Blending & Production Oversight

•         Coordinate daily Blending activities with the Assistant Production Manager and other departments based on the production schedule and operational priorities.

•         Obtain and review production paperwork, formulas, schedules, and operational plans needed for the shift.

•         Ensure each product is blended accurately according to approved formulas, procedures, specifications, production requirements, and established food safety and quality practices.

•         Develop and maintain comprehensive knowledge of company’s products, ingredients, blending methods, equipment, process requirements, and product-specific nuances.

•         Know how to operate Blending department machinery and equipment and ensure employees are trained to operate equipment correctly and safely.

•         Monitor production flow, identify barriers or delays, and coordinate resources to maintain efficient operations and meet production targets.

•         Respond to operational issues such as equipment failures, spills, incorrect formulations, material concerns, or process deviations and escalate appropriately.

Production Documentation & Quality Coordination

•         Follow and reinforce established GMPs, food safety, quality, allergen, and traceability requirements within the Blending department.

•         Verify production paperwork is completed accurately and thoroughly, including required lot tracking, quantities, yields, and other production records.

•         Verify incoming product or material weights and finished product yields as required; investigate and escalate discrepancies.

•         Coordinate with Quality personnel when product, process, documentation, pre-operational, validation, or hold concerns require Quality review or direction.

•         Exercise authority to stop production when a safety, food safety, quality, or process concern is identified; request a product hold when appropriate and promptly involve Quality and management for evaluation and direction.

•         Ensure ingredients and products are properly identified, handled, and stored in accordance with established procedures and escalate concerns when identified.

•         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 Blending equipment, tools, and work areas are maintained in clean, sanitary, organized, and safe condition.

•         Coordinate equipment sanitation 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 Blending operations.

Inventory, Yield & Waste Control

•         Oversee proper storage, handling, rotation, and control of finished blends, tools, and department supplies.

•         Monitor yields, material usage, waste, and product loss; identify discrepancies and opportunities to reduce waste and improve efficiency.

•         Ensure required tools, PPE, and operational supplies are available and maintained for the department.

Communication & Continuous Improvement

•         Maintain clear communication with the Assistant Production Manager and all other departments 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 safety, productivity, workflow, employee training, waste reduction, and department processes, and communicate product or quality improvement opportunities to the appropriate teams.

•         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.

•         Blending, batching, or related production experience preferred.

•         Forklift experience preferred; must be willing and able to complete company forklift certification and operate a forklift as required.

•         Strong leadership, communication, organizational, time management, and employee development skills.

•         Ability to learn and retain detailed technical knowledge of products, ingredients, blending processes, formulas, equipment, 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.