Production Superintendent – Food Manufacturing

Our client is seeking a Production Superintendent to oversee 2nd shift operations in a high‑volume food manufacturing environment, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant production of high‑quality products. This leader directs production teams, drives continuous improvement, maintains regulatory compliance, and ensures production goals are met while upholding a safe and hazard‑free workplace.

Work Schedule: 2nd shift | 4PM–1AM and occasional weekends

Requirements:

• Lead and manage 2nd shift production operations to meet daily schedules, quality standards, and customer requirements.
• Oversee production capacity, staffing, equipment utilization, and workflow to achieve efficiency targets (minimum 93% efficiency)
• Maintain accurate staffing levels and ensure proper training for supervisors and production staff.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and performance feedback to supervisors and team members.

Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure a safe and healthy work environment, free of recognizable hazards.
• Conduct safety inspections, support safety training, and follow up on corrective actions.
• Maintain compliance with USDA regulations, food safety standards, and internal quality programs.
• Monitor documentation and stay informed on regulatory updates and food safety requirements.

Quality & Process Optimization

• Ensure production of food‑safe, high‑quality products that meet or exceed regulatory and customer standards.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing waste, improving processes, and increasing productivity.
• Collaborate with maintenance to optimize equipment uptime and production flow.
• Review shift reports daily and communicate improvement opportunities across shifts.

Cross‑Functional Coordination

• Maintain strong communication between shifts, supervisors, and departments.
• Support planning activities including budgeting, capital expenditure recommendations, and resource forecasting.
• Ensure proper product flow, timely issue resolution, and alignment with operational goals.

Qualifications/Must-Haves:

• Highly organized with demonstrated leadership capabilities.
• Minimum 4 years of leadership or managerial experience in a production or manufacturing environment, preferably food manufacturing.
• Experience leading teams in a manufacturing setting, including supervising multiple supervisors.
• Strong knowledge of USDA regulations, food safety standards, and regulatory compliance.
• Proven ability to manage production scheduling, resource planning, and efficiency optimization.
• Ability to work independently, make sound decisions, and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong communication skills for coordinating across shifts and departments.
• Willingness and ability to work 2nd shift (4PM–1AM) and occasional weekends.
• Bachelor's degree in Meat Science, Business, or a related field.

Nice-to-Haves:

• Experience with budgeting, capital planning, and production cost optimization.
• Familiarity with major food service production standards (e.g., quick‑service restaurant specifications)
• Experience implementing process improvements, waste reduction programs, or continuous improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge or certification in HACCP, GMP, or SQF food safety programs.
• Exposure to hot, cold, refrigerated, and freezer environments.
• Strong smells, loud noise, and PPE requirements (hearing protection, safety glasses)
• Frequent standing, walking, reaching, and occasional lifting up to 25 lbs.