Operations/Production Supervisor in Saluda, South Carolina at Palmetto Gourmet Foods Inc

Production Supervisor

Palmetto Gourmet Foods

Position Summary

Palmetto Gourmet Foods is seeking a results-driven Production Supervisor to lead manufacturing operations within our food production facility. This position is responsible for overseeing 1 to 2 production lines during a 12-hour shift, ensuring employee safety, product quality, operational efficiency, and achievement of key performance indicators (KPIs). The Production Supervisor will lead and develop a team of up to 30 employees while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence.

The ideal candidate possesses strong leadership skills, a passion for food manufacturing, and experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.

Key Responsibilities

Production Operations

• Supervise daily production activities for 1 to 2 manufacturing lines during assigned 12-hour shifts.
• Ensure production schedules are executed safely, efficiently, and on time.
• Monitor staffing levels and allocate resources to meet production demands.
• Coordinate with Quality, Maintenance, Warehouse, and Production Planning teams to maximize throughput and minimize downtime.
• Drive improvements in productivity, line performance, labor utilization, and waste reduction.

Safety Leadership

• Promote and enforce all company safety policies, food safety requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Conduct regular safety observations, audits, and incident investigations.
• Lead safety meetings and ensure corrective actions are implemented promptly.

• Foster a culture where employee safety is the highest priority.

Quality Assurance & Food Safety

• Ensure products meet all customer specifications and quality standards.
• Maintain compliance with GMPs, HACCP, SQF, FDA, USDA, and company food safety requirements as applicable.
• Work closely with Quality Assurance personnel to address product and process concerns.
• Lead corrective and preventive actions related to quality issues.

KPI Management

• Monitor, report, and achieve key operational metrics, including:
  • Safety performance
  • Product quality
  • Throughput
  • Labor efficiency
  • Yield and waste reduction
  • Downtime and OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)
  • Schedule attainment
• Analyze production data and implement action plans to improve performance and achieve plant objectives.

Team Leadership & Employee Development

• Directly supervise, coach, and develop up to 30 production employees.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing feedback.
• Support employee training and cross-training initiatives.
• Promote employee engagement, accountability, and teamwork.
• Address attendance, performance, and disciplinary matters in accordance with company policies.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Utilize Six Sigma, Lean, Kaizen, and Root Cause Analysis tools to improve plant performance.
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and eliminate waste.
• Participate in process improvement projects and capital improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 3 to 5 years of supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated success managing production teams and meeting operational goals.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, employee relations, and performance management.
• Ability to analyze operational data and implement process improvements.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and manufacturing reporting systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Food Science, Operations Management, or a related technical field.
• Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, Lean Manufacturing Certification, or other continuous improvement credentials.
• Experience in food manufacturing or consumer packaged goods (CPG) environments.
• Knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, SQF, and other food safety programs.

Compensation

Salary Range: $60,000 - $75,000 annually

Compensation will be determined based on the candidate's experience, education, certifications, and demonstrated leadership and manufacturing expertise.

Benefits

Palmetto Gourmet Foods offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical insurance, including 100% company-paid medical plan options
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Company-paid life insurance
• Short-Term Disability (STD) insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with up to a 4% company match
• 80 hours of Paid Time Off (PTO) annually
• Paid holidays
• Employee assistance programs (EAP)
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Career advancement opportunities within a growing food manufacturing organization

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work 12-hour shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays as required.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the production facility.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to work in environments with varying temperatures, noise levels, and food manufacturing conditions.

Key Competencies

• Leadership & Team Development
• Safety Management
• Food Safety & Quality Systems
• Lean Manufacturing
• Six Sigma Methodologies
• Process Improvement
• Root Cause Analysis
• Performance Management
• Results Orientation
• Communication & Collaboration

Why Join Palmetto Gourmet Foods?

At Palmetto Gourmet Foods, we are committed to producing exceptional food products while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and operational excellence. We believe our success starts with our people and are looking for leaders who are passionate about developing teams, driving continuous improvement, and delivering outstanding results. If you thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and enjoy making a measurable impact, we encourage you to apply.

EEO Statement

PGF provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, or service in the military. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.

Palmetto Gourmet Foods is a drug free workplace.