Blending Production Supervisor

Blending Production Supervisor 

Location: Suffolk, VA 

Job Type: Full-Time 

Reporting To: Production Manager 

Function: Site Manufacturing – Tea Blending 

Role Overview 

The Blending Production Supervisor leads day-to-day blending operations to safely and efficiently achieve production plans, quality standards, and operational targets. This role has primary accountability for blend planning execution, blend attainment, and staffing of blend operations, while developing teams and fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement. 

Key Responsibilities 

Blend Operations & Attainment 

• Develop and execute daily blend plans aligned with the production schedule. 

• Achieve daily and shift-level blend attainment targets. 

• Partner with Production Planning to adjust priorities based on materials, staffing, and operational constraints. 

• Monitor blend performance, yields, losses, and downtime; implement corrective actions. 

• Coordinate blend changeovers, rework activities, and production trials. 

• Maintain blend formulation, PLC updates as needed based on formula changes 

Ingredients, Tea & Inventory Management 

• Ensure FIFO compliance for all blends, ingredients, and tea. 

• Verify material availability to support the blend schedule and minimize loss-of-material events. 

• Maintain in-house tea ingredient inventory at optimal levels while managing space constraints. 

• Coordinate tea ordering, delivery, and return of unused materials to offsite storage as needed. 

• Ensure proper storage and organization of all ingredients in compliance with quality and organic requirements. 

• Lead blend inventory counting process for Main Blending Teas, and Specialty Tea, Ingredients, and Flavors 

Staffing & Shift Leadership 

• Role will directly supervise 12-20 team members spanning all shifts across 24 operation 

• Lead, motivate, coach, and develop operators and support staff within blend operations to enhance engagement and drive high performance 

• Create daily staffing plans aligned to production schedules, including overtime and vacation coverage. 

• Ensure training, certification, and skill coverage to support safe and effective operations. 

• Conduct shift handovers, pass-downs, and daily production reporting. 

• Manage and resolve employee relations issues, manage attendance, fostering a positive and inclusive work environment. 

Safety, Quality & Compliance 

• Champion a safety-first culture and ensure compliance with safety, GMP, HACCP, sanitation, and regulatory requirements. 

• Ensure cleaning standards are established and maintained in blending and liquid rooms. 

• Maintain audit-ready housekeeping standards at all times. 

• Participate in site safety initiatives and emergency response activities. 

• Ensure adherence to company policies, procedures, and quality standards. 

Continuous Improvement & LMS (Lean/6Sigma and TPM) 

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, material loss reduction, and crewing efficiency. 

• Experience managing projects from initiation to completion, including meeting deadlines and tracking progress. 

• Demonstrated ability to drive a culture shift towards high performance and collaboration. 

• Coach teams on problem-solving using LMS and lean manufacturing tools. 

• Track and analyze KPIs to support data-driven decision making. 

• Develop and implement operational SOPs and ensure training deployment. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• Collaborate with Maintenance to address equipment reliability and performance issues. 

• Partner with Quality, Supply Chain, and Site Leadership to ensure seamless production flow. 

• Support audits, plant tours, and preparation of blend areas for internal and external reviews. 

Skills & Experience 

• Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or lead experience in a manufacturing environment; food or beverage preferred. 

• Strong people leadership, coaching, and communication skills. 

• Experience with production scheduling, staffing, and execution. 

• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving capability. 

• Working knowledge of lean manufacturing or LMS principles. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; SAP experience preferred, EWM Experience preferred 

Physical & Work Requirements 

• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with standing, bending, and lifting up to 50 lbs. 

• Willingness to work assigned shifts and adjust schedules based on operational needs.