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, solv