Operations Supervisor

Operations Supervisor

Arthur, Ontario

Primary Processing / Slaughter Facility

Must be eligible to work in Canada.

The Company:

Our client is a well-established, privately-owned pork processing company with more than 30 years of industry leadership. Known for quality, innovation, and responsible growth, the organization delivers some of the freshest, highest-quality pork products in the market.

The Opportunity:

This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on operations professional ready to lead and grow within a high-volume food manufacturing facility. As Operations Supervisor, you will lead a team of approximately 70 employees, driving the daily operations of the pork processing facility — including receiving of live hogs, kill, evisceration, cutting, deboning, and packaging.

Reporting to the Operations/Production Manager, you will ensure a safe, efficient, and high-quality production environment, meet all production goals, and support continuous improvement, safety, and quality initiatives, all in compliance with FSQA regulations.

With a builder mentality, you will collaborate with others to develop, refine, and evolve production processes.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

• Oversee all shift production operations, directing production employees to ensure smooth and efficient processes; keep teams motivated, aligned, and focused on operational goals. Foster strong employee relations through training, counseling, and support of team member development and morale.
• Partner cross-functionally with other leaders to drive continuous improvement initiatives, reduce operational waste, and help build operational standards. Collect, monitor, and report on data to support quantitative decision-making around cost reduction and efficiency gains.
• Lead the implementation and maintenance of safety programs and practices to support an injury-free workplace. Ensure employees are trained in safety protocols, observe and enforce safety rules and practices, and identify and address hazards.
• Maintain high product quality and safety standards, ensuring all processes align with HACCP and SOP protocols. Address product failures and foreign material issues, and ensure staff are well-versed in CCPs and HACCP plans to meet compliance requirements.
• Ensure all operating procedures are followed and adhered to. In the absence of key personnel, step in or delegate responsibilities to maintain seamless operations and meet required goals. Lead corrective actions to address shortcomings in support of overall organizational success.
• Drive continuous improvement and implement lean thinking, focusing on key operational metrics and lean tools (OEE, DDS, 5S, QFD, TPM).
• Communicate results and action plans to all employees; temporarily fill the role of Production/Operations Manager if needed.
• Collaborate with production planning, materials management, and finance to optimize scheduled attainment, customer service, and capital budget execution.
• Work with Human Resources to address employee issues, initiate cost-saving measures, and ensure all operations meet safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
• Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and get involved to ensure deadlines are met.
• Rapidly and effectively solve problems on the spot to reduce downtime.

Daily Responsibilities:

• Review daily staffing levels and ensure assignments support daily demand and goals.
• Review and communicate production plans and priorities with shift leadership.
• Review material inventory levels to ensure availability for the day's production demand, escalating issues as needed.
• Maintain a consistent floor presence for process verification, documentation review, efficiency reviews, and FSQA evaluations.
• Maintain a line of communication with floor leaders to confirm efficiency goals are being met and to make real-time decisions that minimize the impact of unplanned events.
• Complete and share reports outlining the day's production levels, issues encountered, and information needed to support the next shift's success.
• Complete reviews of all operational, FSQA, and HACCP documentation.

Ideal Qualifications & Competencies:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Management, or a closely related field (preferred)
• 3–5 years of leadership experience in food production/manufacturing (preferred)
• Experience in a large, high-speed manufacturing environment requiring hands-on collaboration and quick problem-solving; comfort with a significant scope of work and facility size
• Comfortable rolling up your sleeves on the line to support meeting tight deadlines
• Computer application skills, basic mathematical, statistical, and financial skills, and TPM experience
• Knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, OMAFRA, and CFIA regulations (preferred)
• Superior problem-solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• A strong sense of urgency and the ability to prioritize tasks and delegate responsibilities
• Proven track record in organizational and planning abilities
• Strong analytical and process management skills

Physical Demands

• Work in a manufacturing environment with hot or cold areas and slippery surfaces; requires climbing ladders and stairs. Exposure to all food allergens.
• Long periods of standing and walking.