Crème de Brie Supervisor at Kolb-Lena, Inc. – Lena, Illinois

About the Role:

The Crème de Brie Supervisor plays a critical role in overseeing the entire cheese production process within a manufacturing facility, ensuring that all operations meet stringent quality and safety standards. This position is responsible for managing a team of cheesemakers and production staff, coordinating daily activities to optimize efficiency and maintain consistent product quality. The supervisor will implement and monitor production schedules, troubleshoot process issues, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. They will also collaborate closely with quality assurance, maintenance, and supply chain teams to support continuous improvement initiatives. Ultimately, the Crème de Brie Supervisor ensures that the facility produces high-quality cheese products that meet customer expectations and company standards.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. High school diploma or equivalent;
2. 3-5 years’ experience as production lead or supervisor in manufacturing;
3. Proficient in Microsoft Office software;
4. Leadership, problem solving, organizational, and strong communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field;
• Five - eight years of general manufacturing experience; dairy or food manufacturing;
• SAP, OEE, and CIM experience;
• Continuous Improvement knowledge.

Responsibilities:

• Provide employee direction and required training to meet safety, quality, and performance standards and expectations;
• Enforce employee safety by assuring procedures are followed and implement corrective action;
• Enforce quality, regulatory, and operational policies and procedures;
• Monitor and evolve Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) and communicate results regarding safety, quality, and performance; implement corrective actions as required;
• Support and mentor the Team Lead in enforcing Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), employee relations, scheduling, and operational objectives;
• Conduct and participate in continuous improvement activities and short and long-term projects;
• Maintain inspection-ready condition of facility and processes at all times assuring plant meets regulatory requirements;
• Utilize Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), inventory management system (SAP), and maintenance historian system to complete investigation corrections and maintain awareness of issues;
• Conduct team meetings (daily/weekly/monthly as applicable) including team member participation;
• Assure production lines start on time, reduce changeover and idle time, and manage overtime and staffing to achieve target labor costs;
• Monitor and minimize ingredient and rework usage, washouts, shutdown events, and product and chemical waste to improve packaging yield, and reduce material losses;
• Reports results, issues, and activities each shift;
• Communicate and direct production maintenance technicians as required;
• Maintain documentation and performance logs of employees; conduct annual employee reviews;
• Maintain employee time and attendance in ADP;
• Responsible for planning daily production runs and meeting schedule requirements;
• Support production and packaging projects and trials as necessary and maintain proper documentation;
• Actively support plant initiatives and participate in plant events, fostering a collaborative environment;
• Ability to understand all job requirements and possess good troubleshooting skills.

Skills:

The Crème de Brie Supervisor utilizes strong leadership and communication skills daily to effectively manage and motivate the production team, ensuring clear understanding of tasks and safety protocols. Technical expertise in cheesemaking processes and quality control is essential for monitoring product standards and troubleshooting issues as they arise. Organizational skills are critical for managing production schedules, coordinating resources, and maintaining accurate documentation. Problem-solving abilities enable the supervisor to identify inefficiencies and implement process improvements that enhance productivity and product quality. Additionally, familiarity with regulatory compliance and food safety standards ensures that all operations adhere to legal and company requirements, safeguarding both consumers and the business.