Production Supervisor - 3rd Shift

Locally owned and operated since 1995, Winona Foods is proud to be a growing industry leader in innovative cheese manufacturing, converting, and distribution. We support a wide range of partners — from major dairy manufacturers to industrial and foodservice customers across the country. If you’re looking for a workplace where people matter, your ideas are valued, and your work makes a real impact on product quality and customer satisfaction, you’ll feel right at home here.

About the role

The Production Supervisor – 3rd Shift leads overnight operations to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production. This role operates with a high level of independence, leading teams through Team Leads while coordinating closely with Maintenance and Quality. The Supervisor is responsible for end-of-week sanitation, team development, and driving daily performance in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Safety & Compliance
  • Ensure compliance with safety policies, GMPs, and company procedures
  • Promote a safe, clean work environment through active presence and enforcement
• Leadership & Team Management
  • Supervise, coach, and develop production employees and Team Leads
  • Lead 2–3 Team Leads; set expectations and ensure accountability
  • Partner on staffing, line coverage, and daily labor allocation
  • Provide performance feedback and address concerns as needed
• 3rd Shift Operations & Communication
  • Serve as primary on-shift decision-maker with a high level of autonomy
  • Coordinate with Maintenance, Quality, and other leaders to resolve issues
  • Ensure clear shift handoff, including results, issues, and follow-ups
• Production Execution
  • Drive performance in safety, quality, throughput, labor, and waste
  • Monitor operations, address gaps, and adjust priorities as needed
  • Ensure accurate production reporting and documentation
• Sanitation & Food Safety
  • Lead end-of-week sanitation, ensuring proper execution and compliance
  • Verify cleaning completion and readiness for startup
  • Ensure adherence to food safety programs; partner with Quality to resolve issues
  • Support sanitation processes through training and continuous improvement
• Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving
  • Support continuous improvement and standard work
  • Identify recurring issues and assist with root cause solutions
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with Maintenance, Quality, and other departments to support operations
• Floor Presence
  • Maintain strong floor presence to monitor operations, reinforce expectations, and coach employees

Note: Certain technical, food safety, and process-specific responsibilities will be learned through on-the-job training.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Operations, Business, Engineering, or related field preferred
• 3–5+ years of manufacturing experience, preferably in dairy/cheese or food production
• Prior leadership or supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment preferred
• Experience with sanitation processes (SSOPs), equipment cleaning, and sanitation readiness in a food manufacturing environment preferred
• Continuous improvement experience (Lean, 5S, waste reduction, or similar) or willingness to learn preferred

Skills

• Working knowledge of GMPs, food safety programs (HACCP or Preventive Controls), and sanitation practices
• Familiarity with allergen control and dairy-specific food safety risks preferred
• Ability to lead, coach, and develop employees, including Team Leads or frontline leaders preferred
• Strong problem-solving skills with ability to make independent decisions in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, organize work effectively, and ensure follow-through
• Experience using ERP, MES, or OEE systems preferred; ability to interpret production data and act on trends
• Strong written and verbal communication skills across shifts and departments
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) skills or experience working in a diverse workforce preferred

Work Environment

Work is performed in a food manufacturing environment with cold temperatures, moving equipment, and moderate to high noise levels. Personal protective equipment is required.

Pay

$6,000 annual 3rd shift premium in addition to base salary. Competitive salary and benefits package.

Schedule

3rd shift (9:00pm–5:00am, Monday–Friday, some Saturdays as needed)