Production Supervisor

ABOUT UDA:
UDA is a local, family-owned, dairy cooperative committed to serve the needs of our members, community, and customers by providing high quality milk and dairy products. As the only milk marketing co-op in the state, UDA oversees the production, processing, and marketing of Arizona’s finest milk products from farm to Retail in 48 hours or less. From sweet cream and butter to non-fat dry milk, UDA provides milk products to manufactures and supermarket chains throughout the Grand Canyon State.
Our motto at UDA is “United in Excellence.” The dairy industry’s success isn’t built on one dairy or brand, it’s built on the community as a whole - this includes our amazing employees. When you join UDA, you’re not just joining a business, you’re joining a family. Since 1960 UDA has been headquartered, operated, and managed in Arizona. We strive to provide our employees with rewarding career opportunities aimed at long-term stability, growth, and advancement. We put our heart and soul into our products and value our team who show up, every day and do the work.


Job Summary/Objective

As a Production Supervisor, this role will provide work direction and supervision to production employees within the guidelines of standard work rules and employment policies. They will monitor all stages of the dairy production process and ensure accurate processing of products and fulfillment of customer orders through appropriate production scheduling. The Production Supervisor will hold themself and others accountable for promoting safety rules and regulations and act in accordance with the requirements for food safety and quality, and ensure that the production process flows smoothly, and daily production goals are met. This role will function as a resource and point of escalation to direct reports and will coach, mentor, and provide performance development opportunities to team members on an ongoing basis. 


Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Schedule, assign work, and provide clear directions to production employees. Ensure that the production process flows smoothly, and daily production goals are met 

• Monitor operations activities (milk unloading, pasteurization, separation, evaporation, drying, membranes, butter making, product loadout, etc.) to ensure that plant production and quality standards are met 

• At times step in for the Production and Quality supervisors to carry out operations for the shift 

•  Actively promote safe work behaviors and hold self and others accountable to safety standards; conduct incident investigations and ensure timely reporting. 

• Ensure compliance with all GMP, HACCP, food safety, and quality policies and procedures. 

• Lead daily shift meetings and informal communications to drive awareness, teamwork, and performance. 

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Maintenance, Quality, and other departments to resolve issues and improve operations. 

• Troubleshoot process and equipment issues and coach employees to build problem-solving capability. 

• Train, coach, and develop team members for technical and leadership growth. 

• Administer discipline and resolve employee concerns fairly and consistently in partnership with HR and management. 

• Maintain an “inspection-ready” facility by enforcing cleanliness and sanitation standards. 

• Monitor, reduce, and control operational costs (e.g., chemical usage, overtime, downtime). 

• Ensure accurate timekeeping, attendance, and performance evaluations for all direct reports. 

• Ensure all compliance and safety training is completed for all employees. 

• Maintain inventory of assigned supplies and perform daily product inventory counts. 

• Ability to operate equipment. 

• Must be able to work 12-hour shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays as required.  

• Excellent organizational and time management skills. 

• Strong problem-solving skills.  

• Ability to lead people to attain results. 

• Knowledge of and ability to execute good manufacturing practices. 

• Requires ability to read, hear, speak, comprehend and carry out verbal and written instructions including Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). 

• Ability to maintain a strong commitment to Safety and Safety initiatives.  

• Knowledge of manufacturing process flow and importance to process 

• Knowledge of continuous improvement models 

• Knowledge of and skill with Microsoft Office Suite and company computer systems 

• Knowledge of principles and practices of supervision, training, and personnel management 

• Able to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing 

• Able to work in collaboration effectively and foster good teamwork 

• Able to interact positively and work effectively with others (interpersonal skills) 

• Able to think and use independent judgment in planning and organizing multiple tasks and information 

• Able to demonstrate initiative and follow through on day-to-day responsibilities 

• 5 years' experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably food and/or beverage manufacturing 

• Demonstrated leadership aptitude, team lead experience, or supervisory experience 

• Computer proficiency with MS Excel, Word, and Outlook. 

• Knowledge of all processing equipment including milk unloading, product load out, pasteurization, separation, evaporation, drying, membranes, butter making, and cheese making processes. Knowledge of food manufacturing processes related to dairy manufacturing. 

• Forklift Certification or previous experience 

Work Environment & Demands 
Physical and environmental demands for this position are indicated below:  

Physical Demands: 

• Requires ability to walk and stand for prolonged periods of time covering the 13-acre facility multiple times a shift. 

• Requires the ability to walk and stand for 12 or more hours at a time. Requires ability to visually observe the condition of surroundings. 

• Requires the ability to hear and speak in noisy environments. 

• Requires the ability to safely operate equipment.  

• Requires ability to stoop, bend, reach, lift and carry items between 20 and 55lbs often. 

• Requires ability to stoop, bend, reach, lift and carry items more than 55lbs occasionally. 

• Requires ability to climb ladders and stairs of various heights, including elevations of 100ft or more often. 

• Ability to work in varied ambient temperatures and conditions including extreme hot, cold, wet temperatures and dusty and dry environments. 

• Requires the ability to work in confined spaces often. 

• Ability to sit and drive a forklift occasionally. 

• Requires ability to work safely with hazardous chemicals. 

Other Duties 
 

The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by employees assigned to this job title.  This is not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities.  Employees will be expected to perform duties that do not appear on the job description.  Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary. 

• Medical, Dental & Vision plans
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer match
• Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Health & Wellness Programs
• Paid Time Off
• Shift Pay Differential
• Education Assistance
• On-site Fitness Center
• On-Site Health Clinic   

The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list; employees may be subject to additional, or altered, tasks and the scope of the role may change as necessitated by business demands. UDA will not consider any application submissions from unauthorized third-parties, consulting, or external staffing firms and will not be held subject, or liable, to any terms, fees, or penalties associated with a submission.

UDA is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.