Job Summary

The Raw Shift Supervisor is responsible for overseeing all raw milk receiving operations during their assigned shift in a cheese and whey manufacturing facility. This position ensures the safe, efficient, and compliant receipt, storage, and transfer of raw milk while maintaining production schedules, food safety, employee safety, environmental compliance, and regulatory standards. The Raw Shift Supervisor provides leadership to operators and technicians, promotes employee development, and ensures operational excellence through continuous improvement initiatives.

Essential Functions

Operations

Supervise all raw milk receiving activities during the assigned shift.
Coordinate the unloading of milk tankers while ensuring proper sampling, testing, and documentation are completed.
Ensure First-in, First-out (FIFO) inventory management of silos.
Monitor silo levels and communicate inventory to production departments.
Coordinate milk transfers to maintain uninterrupted production.
Monitor raw milk temperatures, quality specifications, and receiving parameters.
Respond to production interruptions and equipment issues to minimize downtime.
Ensure all documentation is completed accurately and timely.
Assist with production planning to meet daily manufacturing schedules.
Evaluate equipment performance (pumps, silos, heat exchangers, CIP systems) and recommend process improvements.
Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for deviations, quality issues, or equipment failures.

Leadership Responsibilities

Direct and supervise raw operations and milk receiving technicians.
Schedule staffing to meet operational requirements.
Conduct shift meetings and communicate production priorities.
Train employees in SOPs, GMPs, HACCP, food safety, and safety procedures.
Coach employees through performance improvement and corrective action when necessary.
Conduct employee performance evaluations.
Foster teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Lead by example through professionalism and integrity.
Provide professional supervision to raw milk receiving operators and technicians, ensuring procedures align with engineering and quality standards.
Train team members on process controls, quality control, quality requirements, and regulatory compliance.
Coordinate with Quality Assurance, Maintenance, and Engineering teams to resolve technical issues.
Support continuous improvement initiatives.

Quality & Regulatory Compliance

Ensure compliance with FDA Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO), USDA, state dairy regulations, and internal quality systems.
Review and approve raw milk sampling, testing, and documentation (antibiotics, temperature, sensory, and compositional analyses).
Oversee HACCP, GMP, and sanitation program execution specific to raw milk receiving.
Prepare technical reports and documentation for audits and regulatory inspections.

Data Analysis & Reporting

Analyze production and quality data to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
Maintain technical records, SOPs, and process documentation.

Other Duties

Communicated findings and recommendations to plant management and engineering leadership.
Promotes and adheres to all policies and procedures relating to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s),

food safety, and regulatory compliance.

Follow all applicable food safety regulations and mandates (Safe Quality Foods, Food and Drug Administration, Pasteurized Milk Ordinance).
Follow all company food safety policies and procedures (including Good Manufacturing Practices).
Responsible for providing food safety and quality feedback to the appropriate manager.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in food engineering, Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Dairy Science, Food Science or related field preferred.
Minimum 2-5 years of experience in food or daily manufacturing, process engineering, or quality systems.
Experience with raw milk receiving operations, dairy processing, or liquid food systems preferred.
Proficiency in interpreting analytical results (moisture, pH, salt, protein) and applying them to process adjustments.
Strong leadership and team development skills.
Ability to troubleshoot processing issues.
Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office and production software.
Ability to analyze production data and make operational decisions.
Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Excellent written and verbal communication.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
Punctual and regular attendance is required.
English skills must be proficient to understand, read, write, and speak.
Follows all safety policies, practices, and procedures. Reports all unsafe activity to the manager and/or Human Resources.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions

Physical Requirements:

Physical effort is regularly needed.
May be trained and needed to work with a forklift.
Ascending or descending ramps, stairs, ladders, and/or scaffolding.
Frequently involves crouching, stooping, kneeling, and/or climbing or balancing.
Frequently involves lifting more than 50 lbs.

Typical Environmental Conditions:

Works in a food processing manufacturing facility with moderate noise.
May be exposed to moderate to high noise levels (i/e, production equipment, forklifts, heavy traffic).
May be exposed to humidity, intense heat and cold, outdoor weather conditions, fumes, and toxic chemicals.
May work in areas with mechanical moving parts, above ground with risk of falling, or areas with risk of electrical shock. May be exposed to ingredients that may cause allergic reactions and may be exposed to various allergen ingredients.

Panhandle Products is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

C Shift (Days) / D Shift (Nights)

Learn more about this Employer on their Career Site

MILK SHIFT SUPERVISOR

Job Summary

Qualifications

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions