Production Supervisor - 2nd Shift

About Us

The Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) is a dairy farmer-owned cooperative and dairy processor founded in 1916. MMPA serves dairy farmers in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin, maintaining a strong presence in the dairy industry through strategic business relationships and the production of shelf-stable, value-added dairy products. MMPA operates five member-owned processing plants in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, including Superior Dairy and the Middlebury Cheese Company. Products include fluid milk, cheese, ultrafiltered milk, cottage cheese, ice cream, butter, nonfat dry milk, cream, and condensed skim milk.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Competitive salary
• Health and wellness benefits with medical coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield, including mental health benefits
• Disability insurance
• Paid time off
• Employer-matched 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Personal and professional growth opportunities
• Employee appreciation events and recognition awards
• Employee wellness initiatives
• Employee feedback and suggestion forums

Responsibilities

• Plan and organize available resources (employees, materials, time, equipment) to meet shift production, quality, and safety goals, adapting plans as needed throughout the shift.
• Develop, coach, and counsel employees to ensure a motivated and competent workforce.
• Work cooperatively with other production supervisors to ensure effective shift-to-shift transitions and minimize disruptions due to unplanned absences, including conducting pre-shift briefings and completing shift notes.
• Keep other departments informed of work item statuses.
• Develop a strong understanding of the milk balancing plant’s operations, including equipment, workflow, and labor contract features, and gain hands-on familiarity with processing equipment.
• Evaluate and maintain the effective application of the SQF plan to ensure product quality.
• Evaluate and maintain the effective application of the MMPA Safety System to ensure worker and workplace safety.
• Evaluate and maintain the effective application of the FSMA plan to ensure product safety from contamination.
• Maintain the plant’s manufacturing equipment in sanitary condition, including cleaning and sanitizing tanks, pipe routings, and work areas according to plant SSOPs.
• Inspect the facility (production, warehouse, grounds) to ensure adherence to safety and operating policies and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
• Coordinate changes in production staffing and processes to ensure proper communication of manufacturing procedures.
• Ensure daily regulatory compliance.
• Evaluate and improve leadership, direction, and coaching skills to achieve work objectives.
• Take action to improve personal knowledge and skills.
• Coordinate work efforts to ensure completion against expectations and handle priorities effectively.
• Provide feedback to enhance job performance and ensure consistency in policies, procedures, and standards.
• Communicate with peers and superiors to exchange feedback and solve problems.
• Identify ways to reduce costs and increase profit.
• Enhance and sustain team performance by supporting skill development.
• Provide timely, specific, and constructive feedback to improve performance.
• Plan and organize work efficiently to align with plant strategies and goals.
• Leverage diverse insights and ideas to foster an inclusive environment.
• Coach, support, and enforce plant work rules consistently.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university; or five plus years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3+ years minimum of supervisory experience.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Solid analytical and planning skills.
• Demonstrated initiative and desire to learn about the dairy industry.
• Self-directing and independent thinker with an aptitude for gaining knowledge.
• Ability to foster knowledge exchange within and across departments.
• Collaborative communication approach and resourceful management style.
• Sound judgment and ability to disseminate knowledge for the benefit of the cooperative.
• Working knowledge of Excel and Word, with the ability to quickly learn computer-based logistics, sales, and inventory systems.

Skills & Attributes

• Committed to achieving the mission through team leadership and guidance.
• Challenges individuals with open and new ideas.
• Drives change with a positive attitude and leads by example.
• Interacts with all levels empathetically and develops authentic relationships.
• Values and shows flexibility toward different opinions.
• Shows interest in learning and sharing with others.
• Adapts positively to a changing environment.
• Analytical and problem-solution-oriented mindset.
• Passion for growth and development within a team.

Other Requirements

• Ability to monitor all aspects of the operation, including inspecting hard-to-reach areas that may require climbing, balancing, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.
• Occasional need to reach above the shoulders for pipe connections.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 50-pound components or finished products manually or with a powered industrial lift (PIT).
• Strong communication and listening skills.
• Ability to perform each responsibility satisfactorily, with reasonable accommodations available for individuals with disabilities.