Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Juice Production Supervisor

🎯 Role Definition

The Juice Production Supervisor is a pivotal leadership position on the manufacturing floor, acting as the frontline manager responsible for the complete production cycle of our juice products. This role orchestrates the daily activities of the production team, ensuring that output targets are met without compromising our stringent standards for safety, quality, and efficiency. The supervisor serves as a crucial link between senior management and the production workforce, translating strategic goals into actionable, day-to-day operational plans. Success in this role is defined by the ability to foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and teamwork while navigating the dynamic challenges of a fast-paced food and beverage production environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Production Operator / Machine Operator Lead
Quality Control Technician / QA Lead
Production Team Lead

Advancement To:

Production Manager
Plant Operations Manager
Continuous Improvement Manager

Lateral Moves:

Quality Assurance Supervisor
Warehouse & Logistics Supervisor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Direct and coordinate the daily activities of the production and processing teams to consistently meet and exceed production goals, schedules, and quality standards.
Provide hands-on leadership, mentorship, and training to a diverse team of production operators, fostering a culture of high performance, safety, and engagement.
Enforce strict adherence to all food safety protocols, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), and Safe Quality Food (SQF) standards.
Monitor all production equipment and line performance, proactively identifying and troubleshooting operational, mechanical, and quality issues to minimize downtime.
Manage employee schedules, shift assignments, and timekeeping to ensure adequate staffing levels for all production activities.
Conduct regular performance evaluations, provide constructive feedback, and manage employee relations in a fair and consistent manner, collaborating with HR as needed.
Champion and enforce all workplace safety regulations (OSHA) and company policies, leading by example to maintain a zero-incident safety culture.
Maintain comprehensive and accurate production records, including batch logs, output reports, downtime tracking, and material usage documentation.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives on the production floor, utilizing Lean Manufacturing, 5S, or Six Sigma principles to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and lower costs.
Collaborate closely with the Quality Assurance department to investigate product deviations, implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs), and ensure all products meet specification.
Oversee the proper sanitation and cleaning of all equipment and production areas, ensuring compliance with Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs).
Manage the inventory and staging of raw materials, ingredients, and packaging supplies to ensure uninterrupted production flow.
Lead daily shift-start meetings (huddles) to communicate production targets, safety topics, and other relevant information to the team.
Conduct pre-operational inspections of lines and equipment to verify readiness for production runs.
Train new hires and provide ongoing development for existing staff on equipment operation, safety procedures, and quality checks.
Investigate and formally report any workplace accidents, incidents, or near-misses, and participate in root cause analysis.
Generate and present daily, weekly, and monthly production performance reports to the Production Manager.
Optimize the use of labor, materials, and equipment to maximize productivity and yield.
Uphold product integrity by ensuring proper formulation, blending, pasteurization, and filling procedures are followed precisely.
Serve as the primary point of contact for any production-related issues that arise during the shift, making timely and effective decisions.

Secondary Functions

Participate actively in internal, third-party, and regulatory audits (e.g., SQF, FDA, Organic) by providing documentation and speaking to production processes.
Assist the Research & Development team in conducting and documenting plant trials for new products, ingredients, or processes.
Serve as a member of the plant's Safety Committee, contributing to the review of safety policies and the promotion of safety initiatives.
Collaborate with the Maintenance department to schedule preventive maintenance and coordinate repairs that minimize disruption to production.
Contribute to the development and revision of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and work instructions for the production department.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Food Safety & Quality Systems: In-depth knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and GFSI schemes like SQF or BRC.
ERP/MRP Systems: Proficiency using enterprise resource planning software (e.g., SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics) for inventory, scheduling, and production reporting.
Production Equipment: Strong mechanical aptitude and familiarity with food processing equipment such as blenders, pasteurizers (HTST), fillers, labelers, and packaging machinery.
Lean Manufacturing: Practical experience implementing or working within a Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement framework.
Regulatory Knowledge: Solid understanding of OSHA safety standards and FDA regulations relevant to food and beverage manufacturing.
Computer Proficiency: Competency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) for data analysis, reporting, and communication.
Process Troubleshooting: Demonstrated ability to diagnose and resolve technical and logistical issues on a production line.

Soft Skills

Leadership & Mentoring: Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop a production team to achieve common goals.
Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills to effectively identify root causes and implement lasting solutions.
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for clear interaction with team members, peers, and senior management.
Composure Under Pressure: Ability to remain calm, focused, and decisive in a fast-paced, high-pressure manufacturing environment.
Interpersonal Skills: Adept at building relationships, managing conflict, and fostering a positive and collaborative work atmosphere.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to monitoring processes, ensuring quality, and maintaining accurate records.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Associate's or Bachelor's Degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Food Science
Operations Management
Business Administration
Industrial Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-5 years of progressive experience within a food, beverage, or CPG manufacturing environment.
Minimum of 1-2 years in a leadership capacity, such as a Team Lead, Group Leader, or direct supervisory role.

Preferred:

Direct experience in a juice processing, liquid filling (hot-fill or aseptic), or dairy manufacturing facility is highly desirable.