Production Supervisor - Fermentation - Nights

Interested in a career that matters?

At Novonesis, we believe in the power of biology to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges. As part of our Production team in West Allis, WI, you’ll play a critical role in delivering high-quality biological solutions safely and efficiently.

Our Production team is responsible for executing day-to-day manufacturing operations supporting fermentation and downstream processes. The team includes operators, shift leads, and technical support staff working across shifts to meet safety, quality, and production targets.

We are a highly collaborative group that partners closely with maintenance, quality, engineering, and supply chain to ensure reliable plant operations. Together, we contribute directly to Novonesis’ purpose by driving operational excellence and continuous improvement while maintaining a strong focus on safety and product quality. This positions works a 7 on 7 off schedule with hours of 7pm-5am (M-F) and 5pm-5am (Sat, Sun).

The Role & Your Impact As a Production Supervisor , you will be a hands-on leader responsible for managing shift operations, leading a team of production employees, and ensuring that production targets are achieved safely and efficiently.

Key responsibilities include:

1. Lead shift operations and people management

Drive a strong safety culture and ensure adherence to all safety requirements

Schedule and assign personnel, set priorities, and communicate expectations

Coach and develop employees on performance, safety, quality, and productivity

Foster engagement, teamwork, and accountability
2. Deliver production performance

Ensure achievement of safety, quality, productivity, cost, and people metrics

Monitor production activities and resolve operational issues in real time Serve as the first-line troubleshooter for process and equipment issues
3. Drive continuous improvement

Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions

Implement process, safety, and quality improvements

Support lean manufacturing initiatives such as 5S4. Ensure compliance and documentation

Enforce GMP, Food Safety, and Food Defense requirements

Maintain accurate production records and documentation

Support audits and CAPA follow-ups
5. Support plant operations and maintenance coordination

Coordinate preventative maintenance activities

Assess equipment condition and initiate repairs

Monitor inventory and support supply planning

This role is a mix of operational and tactical execution, requiring real-time decision-making in a dynamic manufacturing environment and close collaboration with operators, maintenance, engineering, quality, and supply chain teams.

What You’ll Need to Be Successful To thrive in this role, you bring a strong combination of leadership capability, manufacturing experience, and a commitment to safety and quality.

Required qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Science, Engineering, or a related fieldOR
10+ years of frontline leadership experience in manufacturing or food processing

Proven supervisory or team leadership experience in a production/manufacturing environment

Experience working in GMP or other regulated environments

Exposure to continuous improvement or lean manufacturing practices

Core competencies:

Leadership and accountability – ability to set clear expectations and drive performance

Strong communication skills across all levels of the organization

Problem-solving skills with a focus on root cause analysis and sustainable solutions

Collaboration and ability to build strong cross-functional relationships

Adaptability in a fast-paced, ever-changing production environment

Additional Skills & Interests We Value While not required, the following will help you stand out:

Experience in food, biotech, or fermentation-based manufacturing

Hands-on experience with lean tools and continuous improvement initiatives

Experience supporting audits and regulatory inspectionsA passion for developing people and building high-performing teams

We also value individuals who bring a hands-on leadership style, a continuous improvement mindset, and a strong focus on safety, quality, and people development.

What We Offer At Novonesis, you’ll join a purpose-driven company where…