PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
San Diego, CA|Non-Exempt
REPORTS TO: Plant Manager
LOCATION: San Diego, CA
SHIFT: Varies by operational need, including overnight/graveyard production shifts; flexibility required.
COMPENSATION: $70,000 $80,000
ROLE SUMMARY
A growing food manufacturer is seeking a Production Supervisor to directly lead and manage the daily execution of manufacturing operations on the floor. This is a hands-on, floor-based leadership role with direct responsibility for supervising the production crew, hitting throughput and quality targets, and ensuring lines run safely and efficiently on assigned shifts.
The right candidate is a strong people manager who can train, schedule, and hold a production team accountable on a daily basis, while maintaining close coordination with Quality, Maintenance, and Sanitation on food safety and equipment standards. This role carries direct supervisory authority over production staff, including scheduling, performance management, and disciplinary action.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
Team Supervision & Scheduling
Directly supervise the production crew across assigned shifts, including hiring input, onboarding, training, and day-to-day performance management
Build and manage daily/weekly production labor schedules to ensure adequate line coverage across all shifts, including overnight crews
Conduct coaching, performance reviews, and disciplinary action for production staff in partnership with HR
Lead daily pre-shift huddles to communicate production targets, safety reminders, and line assignments
Daily Production Execution
Execute and enforce production schedules, line start-up/changeover procedures, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on the floor
Monitor line performance each shift, verifying staffing, equipment, and materials are in place to hit throughput, yield, and quality targets
Oversee the safe and correct operation of production equipment in accordance with established SOPs
Manage shift staffing and crew assignments to minimize downtime and maintain production flow
Quality & Food Safety Support
Serve as the floor-level point of contact ensuring production practices align with food safety, GMP, and hygienic handling requirements
Maintain continuous audit readiness for SQF, customer, and regulatory reviews within the production department
Support corrective action and root cause analysis on the floor following quality or production events, escalating findings to QA and Operations
Performance Metrics & Continuous Improvement
Track and report daily/weekly KPIs to the Plant Manager, including:
oProduction output and yield versus target
oLine efficiency and OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)
oScrap, rework, and downtime rates
oLabor efficiency and overtime
oProduction downtime attributable to quality, equipment, or staffing issues
oSchedule attainment versus production plan
Flag trends or recurring issues to the Plant Manager and recommend floor-level adjustments to staffing or line processes
Operational Efficiency
Manage labor deployment, line changeovers, and material usage within the production department to control costs
Identify and implement process improvements on the floor that reduce downtime and increase line efficiency
Support continuous improvement initiatives, including waste reduction and lean manufacturing practices
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner daily with Quality, Maintenance, Sanitation, and HR to align production priorities with plant-wide schedules
Coordinate with Maintenance on equipment troubleshooting, preventive maintenance scheduling, and downtime resolution
Maintain accurate, audit-ready production documentation, verification logs, and reporting
QUALIFICATIONS
3+ years of production experience in food manufacturing, with at least 1 2 years in a supervisory or lead role; bakery experience preferred
Hands-on experience executing or supervising Master Cleaning Schedules, SOPs, and pre-operational inspections
Working knowledge of SQF standards, HACCP principles, SSOP execution, and environmental monitoring programs
Demonstrated ability to directly manage, train, schedule, and hold hourly staff accountable across multiple shifts, including overnight operations
Comfortable tracking performance data (inspection results, ATP swabs, labor hours) and reporting it clearly to management
Experience managing department labor schedules and overtime within budget
High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate?s degree or relevant certification a plus
Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred
NextLevel Executive Search | Food & Beverage Manufacturing Leadership
Crystal Lake, IL | ernie nlesearch.com