Production Departmental Supervisor - Blending Supervisor

Job Summary

The Blending Supervisor is a working supervisor responsible for leading the daily operations of the Blending department in a food manufacturing environment. This role oversees employees, production activities, equipment, documentation, safety, and department performance while remaining knowledgeable and hands-on in the blending process.

The Blending Supervisor ensures products are manufactured accurately according to approved formulas, procedures, production schedules, and established company standards; coordinates with Quality and other departments as needed; and develops the technical and product knowledge necessary to effectively troubleshoot operations and support the team.

Key Responsibilities and Skills

Leadership & Team Management

• Supervise the daily activities, attendance, performance, and conduct of Blending employees, including Blending Leads and Associates.
• Plan daily operations, assign work, monitor progress, adjust labor as needed, and ensure production priorities and department goals are met.
• Serve as a working supervisor who understands the Blending process and can step into production activities when operational needs require.
• Train, coach, mentor, and evaluate team members to build technical knowledge, reinforce expectations, and maintain a skilled and accountable workforce.
• Participate in interviewing and hiring decisions, performance evaluations, coaching and corrective action, and recommendations regarding employee termination.
• Enforce company policies, attendance and timekeeping expectations, break and meal schedules, and department procedures consistently.
• Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, respectful communication, safety, and continuous improvement.

Blending & Production Oversight

• Coordinate daily Blending activities with the Assistant Production Manager and other departments based on the production schedule and operational priorities.
• Obtain and review production paperwork, formulas, schedules, and operational plans needed for the shift.
• Ensure each product is blended accurately according to approved formulas, procedures, specifications, production requirements, and established food safety and quality practices.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive knowledge of company’s products, ingredients, blending methods, equipment, process requirements, and product-specific nuances.
• Know how to operate Blending department machinery and equipment and ensure employees are trained to operate equipment correctly and safely.
• Monitor production flow, identify barriers or delays, and coordinate resources to maintain efficient operations and meet production targets.
• Respond to operational issues such as equipment failures, spills, incorrect formulations, material concerns, or process deviations and escalate appropriately.

Production Documentation & Quality Coordination

• Follow and reinforce established GMPs, food safety, quality, allergen, and traceability requirements within the Blending department.
• Verify production paperwork is completed accurately and thoroughly, including required lot tracking, quantities, yields, and other production records.
• Verify incoming product or material weights and finished product yields as required; investigate and escalate discrepancies.
• Coordinate with Quality personnel when product, process, documentation, pre-operational, validation, or hold concerns require Quality review or direction.
• Exercise authority to stop production when a safety, food safety, quality, or process concern is identified; request a product hold when appropriate and promptly involve Quality and management for evaluation and direction.
• Ensure ingredients and products are properly identified, handled, and stored in accordance with established procedures and escalate concerns when identified.
• Support assigned Food Safety and Food Security responsibilities applicable to the position, including serving as a HACCP Team Member when designated.

Equipment, Sanitation & Safety

• Ensure Blending equipment, tools, and work areas are maintained in clean, sanitary, organized, and safe condition.
• Coordinate equipment sanitation and required pre-operational activities with Sanitation, Quality, Maintenance, and other applicable departments as needed.
• Ensure employees follow required safety procedures, PPE requirements, equipment operating procedures, and safe work practices.
• Identify and address unsafe conditions or behaviors promptly and report incidents, hazards, equipment concerns, and maintenance needs through the appropriate channels.
• Become forklift certified through the company and safely operate a forklift as required to support Blending operations.

Inventory, Yield & Waste Control

• Oversee proper storage, handling, rotation, and control of finished blends, tools, and department supplies.
• Monitor yields, material usage, waste, and product loss; identify discrepancies and opportunities to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
• Ensure required tools, PPE, and operational supplies are available and maintained for the department.

Communication & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain clear communication with the Assistant Production Manager and all other departments to support production flow and resolve operational challenges.
• Review end-of-shift paperwork and department status, and communicate unresolved issues, production concerns, staffing needs, and follow-up items to the appropriate leaders.
• Identify opportunities to improve safety, productivity, workflow, employee training, waste reduction, and department processes, and communicate product or quality improvement opportunities to the appropriate teams.
• Delegate productive work during downtime and ensure employees remain engaged in department priorities, housekeeping, training, or other assigned work.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements

• Minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience in a manufacturing, production, or related environment.
• Food manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English required.
• Blending, batching, or related production experience preferred.
• Forklift experience preferred; must be willing and able to complete company forklift certification and operate a forklift as required.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, time management, and employee development skills.
• Ability to learn and retain detailed technical knowledge of products, ingredients, blending processes, formulas, equipment, and department procedures.
• Working knowledge of GMPs and basic food safety, allergen, and traceability requirements in a food manufacturing environment preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in production documentation and process control.
• Ability to prioritize, multitask, solve problems, and make sound decisions in a fast-paced production environment.
• Basic computer skills for documentation, communication, and reporting.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing production schedules, staffing needs, and job duties.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Ability to lift and carry materials weighing up to 50 lbs. repeatedly throughout the shift.
• Occasional pushing, pulling, and maneuvering of heavy ingredient containers, materials, or equipment.
• Prolonged periods of standing, walking, bending, reaching, climbing, and moving throughout the production facility.
• Ability to safely mount, dismount, and operate a forklift after completing required company certification.
• Exposure to a food manufacturing environment with varying temperatures, noise levels, airborne spice particles, and strong spice or food odors.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, hairnets, masks or other respiratory protection when required, and safety glasses, for extended periods.
• Ability to work a production schedule that may require extended hours, weekends, or schedule changes based on business needs.

Other Duties

• Follow food safety and quality protocols.
• Follow GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices), housekeeping and safe work practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Circle U Foods offers a benefits package that includes:

• Company paid employee-only health (HMO), dental, vision, and life insurance. A PPO health plan is offered with a cost share.
• Voluntary insurance plans for short-term disability coverage, Accident, Hospital and Critical Illness.
• Additional voluntary life insurance policy available
• Accrued Paid Time Off: 0-5 years, 2 weeks; 5-10 years, 3 weeks; 10+ years 4 weeks