Production Supervisor-2nd Shift at Little Leaf Farms in Manchester, TN

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Second Shift Production Supervisor provides leadership and oversight of production and sanitation activities at the facility. During production, this position oversees 2nd-shift operations to ensure safe, efficient production while meeting food safety, quality, and productivity expectations. Following the completion of production, the supervisor transitions primary focus to sanitation operations, providing direct leadership and oversight of the sanitation team and ensuring equipment and production areas are cleaned and sanitized in accordance with established SSOPs and company requirements. Approximately 50–60% of this position's time is expected to be dedicated to sanitation activities and oversight.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Site Leadership: Act as the senior-most leader in production/sanitation during 2nd shift, ensuring alignment, communication, and coordination across the site.
• Direct Oversight: Lead daily operations through harvest, packing, and sanitation to ensure consistent quality, productivity, and safety performance.
• Sanitation Management: Lead and oversee post-production sanitation activities to ensure equipment and production areas are cleaned and sanitized in accordance with established SSOPs, food safety requirements, and the Master Sanitation Schedule. Direct and support the sanitation team in equipment disassembly, cleaning, sanitizing, and reassembly; verify proper use of sanitation equipment and chemicals; monitor chemical concentrations and usage; maintain sanitation records and supply inventories; and escalate sanitation or food safety concerns to FSQA and Operations leadership. Participate directly in sanitation activities as needed to support successful and timely completion of the sanitation process.
• Dotted-Line Oversight: Partner with maintenance and shipping teams to address issues in real time, support functional leaders, and drive cross-department collaboration.
• Performance Management: Manage a team of approximately 30+ employees to deliver against KPIs including yield, labor efficiency, throughput, cost per pound, waste reduction, sanitation effectiveness, and environmental testing.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify performance gaps and lead corrective actions using Lean and problem-solving principles to improve efficiency, consistency, and sanitation practices.
• Accountability: Ensure adherence to GMPs, food safety standards, and company policies while fostering a disciplined, team-oriented culture.
• Reporting & Communication: Maintain daily shift reports, track downtime, labor, and output, and provide clear handoffs to first shift and functional leaders. Communicate any food safety/sanitation concerns to management.
• Safety & Compliance: Promote a safe, clean, and organized work environment through proactive hazard identification, near-miss reporting, and compliance with all safety policies.
• Team Development: Coach, mentor, and develop team leads to strengthening their leadership capability and engagement across the workforce.
• Crisis & Escalation Management: Serve as the point of contact for any shift-related emergencies, staffing gaps, food safety risks, or facility issues requiring immediate response.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5-10 years’ experience managing large teams in manufacturing, food production, greenhouse environment, or sanitation operations.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience managing production and sanitation KPIs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to operate independently and make sound decisions under pressure.
• Willingness to work a full 2nd shift schedule with flexibility to support 24/7 operations as needed.
• Exposure to SSOPs, whether creation or compliance to.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS:

• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong financial and operational acumen, including P&L awareness.
• Demonstrated success in high-growth or start-up environments.
• Experience leading sanitation operations.
• Training and team building.