Production Supervisor - Vacation Relief

The Production Relief Supervisor at MMPA's Ovid facility is responsible for supervising and supporting a team of production employees to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality operations. This role provides coverage and leadership support across shifts as needed. Key responsibilities include planning and assigning work, implementing operational policies and procedures, and driving continuous improvement in production methods, equipment use, and overall working conditions. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with strong problem-solving skills and a commitment to safety, quality, and team development.

The Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA), established in 1916, is a dairy farmer-owned and operated milk marketing cooperative and dairy processor. As the 10th largest dairy cooperative in the U.S., we proudly serve dairy farmers across Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana. With a workforce of around 625 employees spread across four states, MMPA is deeply rooted in the dairy industry. We operate multiple facilities, including the Middlebury Cheese Company in Indiana, Superior Dairy in Ohio, and two SQF Level 3 dairy ingredient plants in Michigan. Our product lineup includes fluid milk, cheese, ultra-filtered milk, ice cream, butter, nonfat dry milk, cream, and condensed skim milk.

Why You'll Love Working Here: At MMPA, we believe in investing in our people and fostering an environment where you can grow both personally and professionally. Here are just a few reasons why you'll enjoy working with us:

• Competitive Salary: We offer a competitive salary to attract the best talent.
• Health & Wellness Benefits: Comprehensive medical coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield, including mental health services to support your well-being.
• Disability Insurance: Protection for you in case of illness or injury.
• Paid Time Off: Enjoy a generous PTO package to maintain work-life balance.
• Retirement Benefits: Secure your future with 401k contributions from us.
• Growth Opportunities: We are committed to your personal and professional development.
• Employee Appreciation: We regularly host events to show our appreciation for your hard work and dedication.
• Wellness Initiatives: Participate in wellness programs designed to help you stay healthy and engaged.
• Employee Feedback: Your voice matters, and we offer forums for your suggestions and input.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide relief coverage for shift supervisors during vacations and leaves.
• Time is shared between the production/warehouse environment and in the office.
• Plan and organize available resources (employees, materials, time, equipment) to best meet shift production, quality and safety goals. Monitors and adapt plans throughout the shift as needed; ensure priorities are handled effectively.
• Maintain accurate inventories of packaging materials, ingredients, powder, butter, and other items in storage by both manual and computerized methods.
• Receive inbound deliveries in accordance with MMPA's policies and procedures.
• Work closely with the sales department to coordinate shipments of butter and powder.
• Develop, coach, and counsel employees to ensure a motivated and competent workforce on the shift.
• Work cooperatively with other production supervisors and shift coordinators to ensure effective shift-to-shift transitions and to minimize disruption due to unplanned absences. This includes conducting a pre-shift briefing with the supervisors and coordinators to be relieved, completing shift notes for the current shift and briefing the incoming supervisor and coordinator when done for the shift.
• Keeps other Departments within the organization informed of the status of work items.
• Continually develops a stronger understanding of the operation of our milk balancing plant to include equipment operations, workflow, and labor contract features. This includes developing hands-on familiarity with operating processing equipment and the ability to update the production plan.
• Evaluate and maintain effective application of the SQF plan and regulatory requirements to ensure product quality.
• Evaluate and maintain effective application of the MMPA Safety System to ensure worker and workplace safety.
• Maintain the plant's manufacturing equipment in sanitary condition (ensure employees clean and sanitize tanks and pipe routings, hook up and load / unload raw/finished material delivery tankers, clean work areas according to plant SSOPs to assure the quality of the manufactured product.
• Inspect facility (production, warehouse, grounds) to assure adherence to safety and operating policies and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) using Company policies and procedures.
• Ensure consistency and compliance with policies, procedures, and standards to ensure consistent guidance and direction.
• Pay attention to details; Accomplish tasks by considering all areas involved, no matter how small; show concern for all aspects of the job; accurately check processes and tasks.
• Manage conflict appropriately; Identify and address areas of disagreement and conflict; arrive at constructive solutions while maintaining positive working relationships.
• Monitor information as appropriate; Establish and use ongoing procedures to collect and review information necessary to manage projects or ongoing activities.
• Validate employee performance through feedback to ensure effective training.
• Coach, support and enforce plant work rules constantly.

What We're Looking For:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Food Science, Business, or related field required.
• 3-5 years of experience supervising in a plant environment

Experience:

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Food, beverage, or pharmaceutical manufacturing experience preferred. Excellent analytical problem solving and trouble-shooting abilities.
• 1-3 years of union environment experience.
• A proven ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent analytical problem solving and trouble-shooting abilities.
• Ability to work effectively with regulatory agencies.
• Effective communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent planning/organizational skills.
• Ability to work with deadlines and schedules.
• Self-starter; requires minimum supervision.
• Candidate must be proficient with Microsoft Office based programs.
• Must have a valid Driver's license.

Preferred:

• Experience with milk processing such as separation, pasteurization, evaporation, spray drying, butter making, and powder packaging.
• Knowledgeable in FDA, MDARD and USDA requirements.
• Experience with MMPA systems and personnel.
• Experience supervising in a unionized environment.

Safety and Environmental:

• Follow plant safety/environmental objectives and targets.
• Follow plant safety rules, report incidents & unsafe conditions immediately.
• Maintain compliance with regulations and refer to the Safety & Environmental Management System(s) on all related procedures and programs.

Quality:

• Demonstrates total commitment to the manufacturing of safe and compliant products.
• Participates as a change control member to manage corrective actions in the production area.
• Directs the troubleshooting of operational deviations.
• Participates in periodic audits of sanitation, general GMP's and manages corrective actions.

Production/Operations:

• Participate in setting production standards amongst all shifts.
• Participate in the review of efficiencies/performances and yields and support corrective actions for improvements.
• Participates and occasionally lead operational review meetings.
• Participate in Root Cause Analysis Exercises, including cost savings projects, communications, culture change.
• Enforce the use of operational Forms and SOP's.

Schedule:

• Understands and provides input into the production master planning for the site.
• Reviews the short-term and long-term production schedules as set by Logistics, Dispatch, and the Plant to optimize productivity and schedule attainment.
• Participate in the weekly and daily production scheduling meetings.

Personnel:

• Supports the team in effective execution of 365, 24-7 operations to meet cost, quality, and fulfillment goals.
• Develops talent and coaches' team to improve organizational effectiveness.
• Set goals for the shift. Conducts performance appraisals.
• Shows passion to lead efforts to coach, train, and develop department members.

Throughout these responsibilities, maintains a focus on continuous improvement.

Behavioral Attributes:

• Diligence - accomplishing tasks through concern for all areas involved, no matter how small; showing concern for all aspects of the job; accurately checking processes and tasks; maintaining watchfulness over a period.
• Communication - presents ideas effectively, actively listens and works across functional boundaries.
• Energy - Maintaining a high activity level. Some jobs require employees to maintain the required activity level for an extended period; to sustain concentration; or to pace the work throughout the work period.
• Technical/Professional Knowledge - having an understanding and ability to use technical/professional information, keeping up on developments and trends in one's field.
• Teamwork/ Cooperation - effectively working within and outside the formal line of authority. Able to act in several roles depending upon the situation -facilitator, leader, executor, etc.
• Initiative - Assert influence over events to achieve goals; self-starting rather than accepting passively; take action to achieve goals beyond what is required.
• Tolerance for Stress - Able to maintain stable performance under pressure or ambiguity; able to work against tight timelines.
• Customer Delight Orientation - Listen and understand internal and external customers, and to anticipate needs and exceed expectations.

Other Requirements:

• The job requires individuals to monitor all aspects of the operation, often requiring inspection of hard-to-reach areas where the candidate may have to climb, balance, kneel, crouch and crawl. Pipe connections sometime require the individual to reach above the shoulders. On occasion an individual may be required to lift and / or move 50-pound components or finished product manually or with a powered industrial lift (PIT). Communication and listening skills are a must.

Why Join Us: At MMPA, you'll be joining a company with a strong legacy in the dairy industry, and a forward-thinking culture that values growth, wellness, and teamwork. We're excited to welcome a passionate individual to our team who is eager to contribute to our success while growing their own career. If you're ready to make a meaningful impact and work with a dynamic group of people, we want to hear from you!

Ready to join our team, Apply today!! We look forward to hearing from you!

We are a drug-free facility, and maintaining a safe, healthy, and productive work environment is a top priority. As part of our commitment to your well-being, all applicants will undergo a drug screening as part of the hiring process.

MMPA is an equal-opportunity employer and values diversity in our workforce.

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of responsibilities that are required of the role. Responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

MMPA provides the opportunity for meaningful work that makes a difference in the dairy industry and in our communities. The diverse talents and perspectives of our employees help us to meet the needs of our member farms and the customers we serve.

Please Note: We are not accepting unsolicited resumes or inquiries from third-party recruiters at this time. Thank you for your understanding.