Equipment and Changeover Supervisor

Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee all line setups and changeovers to ensure readiness for scheduled production.
• Ensure complete removal of prior products, labels, and materials before new production begins.
• Cookordination sanitation and set up activities to eliminate cross-contamination risk.
• Verify correct equipment configuration, tooling, and line clearance before startup.
• Ensure efficient and timely changeovers to minimize downtime.
• Track, measure, and record change over efficiency and identify and streamline change over performance.
• Document and routinely update change over procedures, settings, and training when any changes are needed.

Sanitation Oversight (Critical Function)

• Supervise sanitation technicians and ensure all cleaning activities are completed thoroughly and on schedule.
• Verify execution of SSOPs (Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures) for all equipment and production areas.
• Conduct and document pre-operational inspections to confirm equipment is clean, dry, and ready for use.
• Ensure proper chemical usage, dilution, and handling in accordance with safety and food safety standards.
• Partner with Quality to address sanitation deficiencies and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure sanitation activities meet GMP, HACCP, and regulatory requirements.
• Document and maintain sanitation logs, line clearance, and setup verification.

Team Leadership

• Supervise setup technicians and sanitation team members.
• Assign tasks and ensure accountability for setup accuracy, sanitation quality, and timeliness.
• Train employees on setup procedures, sanitation protocols, GMPs, and safety standards.
• Reinforce a culture of accountability around food safety and operational discipline.

Cohesion & Communication

• Work closely with Wave Planner, Packaging Supervisor, Maintenance, and Quality teams to align schedules and priorities.
• Communicate setup readiness, sanitation status, delays, and risks proactively.
• Ensure smooth handoff between sanitation, setup, and production.

Safety & Compliance

• Enforce all safety protocols, including PPE, chemical handling, and equipment safety.
• Maintain accurate documentation for sanitation logs, line clearance, and setup verification.
• Support internal and external audits.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to reduce changeover and sanitation time without compromising quality.
• Improve standardization of setup and sanitation procedures.
• Support root cause analysis for contamination risks, setup errors, or inefficiencies.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in manufacturing, preferably food production; background as a machine operator or in a maintenance/technical role strongly preferred.
• 1–3 years of leadership or supervisory experience.
• Strong knowledge of GMP, HACCP, sanitation practices, and allergen control.
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude with the ability to troubleshoot equipment malfunctions, make minor adjustments, and understand machine mechanics.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to enforce process discipline.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Experience writing SOPs, conducting root cause analysis (5 Why/fishbone), and leading or participating in SMED projects.

Preferred

• Hands-on experience as an operator or technician on vacuum receivers, auger fillers, horizontal labeling machines, and/or Mespack horizontal form-fill-seal machines.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Exposure to food allergens (milk, eggs, fish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans).
• Exposure to cleaning chemicals and wet environments.
• Ability to work flexible shifts, including nights and weekends as needed.