Processing Supervisor

For our future state-of-the art 600+ person Lubbock, TX cheese and whey manufacturing facility, Leprino is seeking a Processing Supervisor. We take pride in our vision to be the "world's best", it's why we work harder, invest more, and continually innovate.

Leprino Foods broke ground on the $1 Billion facility in the summer of 2022. The plant will be operation in 2024 with Phase 1 and will become fully operational by 2026 with Phase 2. You will play a crucial role in creating a healthy work environment for our employees, thereby fostering positive working relationships and teamwork.

Summary Description:

Provides guidance and direction to a team of hourly employees in the Processing Department. Make solid decisions pertaining to product quality, department safety, and department efficiency for team. Monitor all aspects of their team in the Processing Department including product testing, equipment operations, and employee actions. Take accurate product inventories and schedule employees to meet production needs. Builds an effective employee team by engaging, mentoring, and developing direct reports. Oversee equipment operations in cheese processing and the packaging of finished product.

Job Duties

• Plans and schedules daily staffing needs to maximize labor efficiency and ensure production needs are met.  

• Leads and coaches team employees in the Processing Department by implementing programs in technical training, safety, quality, communications, performance recognition and internal employee development in order to ensure peak employee engagement and productivity.   

• Builds and fosters strong working relationships, collaboration within their team and a positive work environment.  

• Reinforces company and plant policies fairly and consistently.  

• Ensures team employees have completed all required training.  

• Responds to employee questions and concerns.

• Supervises the daily shift operations to ensure production standards and quality parameters are met.  

• Achieves targeted production volumes.  

• Determines equipment repair needs and initiates maintenance work orders to minimize production downtime.

• Implements plant safety programs to ensure compliance and a safe working environment.   

• Ensures work is accomplished in a safe manner and the workplace is free of safety hazards.    

• Provides employees with the training, equipment, and tools to be able to safely perform their jobs.  

• Leads and demonstrates safe practices.

• Participates in safety investigations and corrective actions.  

• Leads and executes the department’s quality systems to achieve quality goals.  

• Oversees the sanitation program effectiveness to ensure food safety standards are met in the department.

• Monitors team operations and makes recommendations for labor and manufacturing efficiency, cost savings, and quality improvements.  

• Executing to the Department’s financial performance goals to assure that a quality product is provided at the least possible cost. 

You Must Have (minimum qualifications):

• Proficient computer knowledge, with familiarity or ability to learn SAP or other manufacturing computer systems 

We Hope You Have (preferred qualifications): 

• College Degree in Food Science, Dairy Technology, or other related field, or equivalent work experience 

• 5+ years of experience in food manufacturing environment, additional education may substitute experience where applicable 

• 1+ year of experience leading, mentoring, and/or delegating work to others 

• Dairy/Cheese manufacturing experience  

• Previous supervisory experience in manufacturing environment 

Leprino Foods embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

Offering you in return:

A chance to be part of a global team of individuals passionate about producing and delivering high-quality products that help feed and nourish families around the world. Leprino Foods could not be where it is today without our incredible employees. That is why we share in our success together by rewarding you for your hard work. Hiring great people who are in it for the long run is our goal. Through competitive salaries, tuition assistance, vacation, holiday, dedicated sick time, matching 401(k), annual merit increases and bonuses, as well as our annual Profit-Sharing plan. Your impact will be noticed and rewarded, as you seek to further our company, our customers, and one another.

Our Story:

Leprino Foods’ history dates back over 65 years, when Jim Leprino first started making small batches of mozzarella for local markets and eateries in the Little Italy neighborhood of Denver. We’ve grown a bit since then. Today, Leprino is the world’s largest manufacturer of mozzarella and lactose, and a leading producer of whey protein. Still owned by Jim and the Leprino family, our sights are set to be the “World’s Best Dairy Food and Ingredient Company.” To help us achieve that bold vision, we’re looking for our secret ingredient: You. A motivated team member who is the best at what you do. Three people in a small corner grocery store in the early 1950s have now grown to over 4,300 employees throughout 16 global locations. Will you join us on our journey?