Job Summary: The Packing Supervisor is a working supervisor responsible for leading the daily operations of the Packing department in a food manufacturing environment. This role oversees employees, packaging lines, equipment, production documentation, safety, and department performance while remaining knowledgeable and hands-on in packing operations. The Packing Supervisor ensures finished products are packaged accurately using approved materials, labels, procedures, and specifications; coordinates production flow with other departments; and develops the equipment and product knowledge necessary to troubleshoot issues, minimize downtime, and support the team.

Key Responsibilities and Skills:

Leadership & Team Management

• Supervise the daily activities, attendance, performance, and conduct of Packing employees, including Packing 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 packaging processes and can step into line setup, operation, or packing 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.

Packing & Production Oversight

• Coordinate daily Packing activities with the Assistant Production Manager, Blending, Weigh-Up, and other departments based on the production schedule and operational priorities.

• Obtain and review production orders, packaging specifications, schedules, and operational plans needed for the shift.

• Ensure finished products are packed to approved specifications, including correct product, package type, fill quantity, seals, labels, coding, and case configuration.

• Develop and maintain comprehensive knowledge of company products, packaging formats, line setups, changeover requirements, machinery, and product-specific packing needs.

• Know how to set up, operate, and adjust Packing department equipment and ensure employees are trained to operate it correctly and safely.

• Monitor line speeds, staffing, production flow, changeovers, and downtime; adjust assignments and coordinate resources to meet production targets.

• Respond to packaging defects, equipment failures, spills, incorrect materials, weight discrepancies, or process deviations; troubleshoot within training and escalate appropriately.

Production Documentation & Quality Coordination

• Follow and reinforce established GMPs, food safety, quality, allergen, labeling, and traceability requirements within the Packing department.

• Verify production paperwork is completed accurately and thoroughly, including product identification, lot tracking, quantities, packaging checks, yields, and other required production records.

• Verify product and packaging material identity, lot information, label and code accuracy, and required weight or count checks; investigate and escalate discrepancies.

• Coordinate with Quality personnel when packaging accuracy, product identification, label verification, pre-operational checks, documentation, or product hold concerns require Quality review or direction.

• Exercise authority to stop production when a safety, food safety, quality, labeling, or process concern is identified; request a product hold when appropriate and promptly involve Quality and management for evaluation and direction.

• Ensure work-in-process and finished products are correctly identified, protected, handled, and staged in accordance with established procedures.

• 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 packaging machinery, scales, tools, and work areas are maintained in clean, sanitary, organized, and safe condition.

• Coordinate line clearance, cleaning, changeovers, 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 Packing operations.

• Identify equipment malfunctions and assist with basic adjustments and troubleshooting within training; promptly coordinate repairs and preventive maintenance needs with Maintenance.

Inventory, Yield & Waste Control

• Oversee proper handling, identification, rotation, and control of packaging materials, work-in-process, finished goods, tools, and department supplies.

• Monitor production yields, packaging material usage, scrap, rework, waste, and product loss; identify discrepancies and opportunities to reduce waste and improve efficiency.

• Ensure required packaging materials, labels, tools, PPE, and operational supplies are available for scheduled production; communicate shortages promptly.

Communication & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain clear communication with the Assistant Production Manager, Blending, Weigh-Up, Quality, Maintenance, and Shipping & Receiving 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 line efficiency, changeovers, safety, productivity, employee training, packaging accuracy, waste reduction, and department processes.

• 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.

• Packaging line, machine operation, or related production experience preferred.

• Forklift experience preferred; must be willing and able to complete company forklift certification and operate a forklift as required.

• Experience with packaging equipment setup, changeovers, and basic troubleshooting preferred; willingness to learn department machinery required.

• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, time management, and employee development skills.

• Ability to learn and retain detailed technical knowledge of products, packaging materials, labels, machinery, line setups, specifications, 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 packaged products, cases, materials, carts, 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.

• Ability to safely work around moving packaging equipment, conveyors, and production lines while following required machine-guarding and safety procedures.

• 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, holidays, 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

Equal Opportunity Employer
Circle U Foods, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Conditions of Employment

• Eligibility to Work: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and provide appropriate documentation to complete the I-9 verification process.

• Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

• Transportation Requirement: Applicants must have reliable transportation to and from work to meet job attendance and punctuality requirements.

• Pre-Employment Screening: Candidates must successfully pass a background check and drug test.

Learn more about this Employer on their Career Site

Production Departmental Supervisor - Packing Supervisor