Please note: this role requires the ability to communicate effectively in Spanish and English
About Us
KLG Candies, LLC (“KLG Candies”) is a commercial confectionary company located at 2435 South Alston Ave, Durham, NC 27713. We are a family-owned business, and we specialize in handmade, gourmet toffee. Our toffee combines simple, high-quality ingredients—pecans, chocolate, butter, and sugar—using a cherished family recipe for a taste experience that is both nostalgic and indulgent.
Our current products include Chapel Hill Toffee and Griff’s Toffee and are sold at stores all over the United States. They are handcrafted in Durham, North Carolina. We are growing quickly and we aim to expand our product line and distribution to become a national brand in the next five years.
Role Summary
In this role, you'll be at the heart of our operations-leading the charge on the front lines. You'll oversee the entire production process, making real-time adjustments to keep things running smoothly.
As a supervisor, you'll guide and lead production employees during your shifts, ensuring production targets are met on time and to the highest quality standards. You'll play a pivotal role in training, coaching, and motivating your team to achieve production goals while maintaining safety and quality. You'll drive clear communication across all levels, keeping the team aligned with daily objectives and results, all while maximizing efficiency and minimizing costs. Plus, you'll oversee the routine maintenance and setup of equipment and facilities to keep everything running at peak performance.
This role requires an in-depth understanding of the Production Team Member role and all operations and equipment, as well as strong focus on quality, safety, and efficiency, and the flexibility to handle various responsibilities to support the plant’s operations.
In this role, you’ll leverage your experience and background to document, implement and/or improve operations in the production area and warehouse. You will report directly to Senior Management and will directly supervise two Production Assistant Managers and/or Specialists, while also supervising the production line team and working closely with other stakeholders to achieve the company's goals.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Excellence
- Efficiently organize and assign shift tasks to consistently meet production targets and quality standards.
- Ensure materials, equipment, and labor are optimally utilized: Proactively manage resources to prevent bottlenecks, Ensure preventive maintenance schedules are followed by the assistant manager or team members, and monitor machinery, Quickly identify and resolve operational issues to minimize downtime, Escalate risk and report any safety or quality issues immediately to senior management
- Manage shift handoff operations (working closely with other shift supervisors), manage closing operations, and verify accuracy of records
- As needed, receive shipments (completing checklists and verifying ingredients and labels) and monitor outgoing shipments
- Identify opportunities for improvement (e.g., process improvements) and collaborate with management; implement any changes across staff
- Work closely with other managers, production staff and other stakeholders (e.g., contractors, auditors, visitors) to ensure smooth operations.
- Provide regular updates on production, quality, and safety to management.
Food Safety and Quality Assurance
- Ensure traceability procedures are followed and understand/be able to lead a recall plan
- Perform routine inspections are completed to assure effective adherence of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Preventive Controls, and other Food Safety pre-requisite programs (e.g., complete all daily, weekly, monthly, etc. checklists)
- Maintain daily verification of GMPs and ensure all staff and visitors are aware of GMP’s – e.g., handwashing practices, personal hygiene, hair nets, jewelry, shoes, gloves, lab coats, location of outside food, etc. (with support of management)
- Monitor production to maintain the highest product quality and ensure safety of the food. Our goals are zero instances of food safety violations and that quality standards are consistently met or exceeded.
- Reinforce food safety practices and share updates with production staff so that are well-informed and adhere strictly to safety protocols
- Work with Senior Leadership to implement processes that comply with food safety regulations and standards (HACCP, GMP) and have a strong understanding of the HACCP/GMP/Food Safety programs
- Support and/or lead training for production staff on food safety practices
Cleaning and Sanitation
- Ensure plant, production area, warehouse and employee facilities are maintained and meeting operational standards by implementing the master cleaning schedule and monitoring cleaning by completing checklists
- Understand and be familiar with the cleaning schedule and procedures by working closely with Senior Management
- Ensure there is no accumulation of garbage, trash and waste materials, that cleaning equipment is stored properly, and that food-contact and other surfaces are cleaned frequently as necessary to protect against contamination
- Support environmental monitoring program, conduct testing (surfaces, ingredients, finished products, sanitizer, etc.) and maintain records
- Complete routine self-inspections of cleaning (e.g., through cleaning, pre-start, and other checklists)
Leadership and Management
- Create staff schedules to optimize production needs: Manage requests for time off or early departure/late arrival, create schedules and assign daily tasks
- Ensure assistant mangers are aware of schedules and all issues, and communicate continually and effectively with them
- Promote a culture of respect and collaboration across the team by setting an example as a leader, effectively managing conflict, and supporting all staff equally
- Actively seek and integrate feedback from employees and management. Maintain clear and open communication channels across all levels of the organization.
- Effectively communicate across cultural and language barriers, and across stakeholders, ensuring all employees are aligned with company goals.
- Learn new systems and support management’s scaling of them by training or overseeing others (e.g., help record and fill sales orders or place manufacturing orders via our internal system and understand how to navigate it effectively)
- Work closely with management to continually refine roles and systems
- Support and develop employees, particularly in areas of food safety and operational excellence
Over time, tasks and roles may change.
Qualifications & Demonstrated Competencies
This role is best for someone who can balance the demands of daily operations with the overall goals of the company. Ideally, this person is organized, delivers results, has an entrepreneurial mindset and will look to grow their role as the business grows. The ideal candidate has the following skills, or a willingness to learn:
- Must be able to communicate effectively in Spanish and English
- Comfortable working in a facility that processes tree nuts, soy and milk, with a strong commitment to following strict allergen and food safety guidelines—because keeping people safe always comes first
- Must be PCQI trained or willing to obtain certification
- Strong communication, leadership, and management skills (including effective communication across all levels and between English and Spanish-speaking employees)
- Open to giving and receiving constructive feedback—we believe growth is a team effort
- Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality products
- Genuine excitement about our toffee, values, and mission and a positive, can-do attitude in a fast-paced, hands-on environment
- Passion for operational efficiency and quality
- Ability to adapt to changing demands and manage unexpected challenges
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Experience leading teams or working with diverse stakeholders preferred
- Exceptionally clean personal hygiene
- Reliable transportation
- Comfort standing for long periods and lifting up to 50 lbs throughout an 8-hour shift
- Ability to operate machinery and handle production tasks accurately
- Previous experience in a manufacturing or production environment is preferred
- Familiarity with food safety practices a plus
Additional
- This is a full-time (hourly) in-person position located in Durham, NC with hours from 2:45 pm – 11:15pm with potential for overtime. Employees must be able to arrive by 2:45 pm daily, unless otherwise agreed upon
- This role involves standing for extended periods and performing repetitive tasks in a production environment.
- Employees must adhere to all safety guidelines and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.
- You will be required to complete and maintain a Food Safety Training certification(s)
- You will be required to attend regular meetings with Management to evaluate performance and discuss goals
- KLG Candies offers 8 paid holidays, and full-time supervisors are eligible for accrued paid time off – up to 10 days per year. Family leave and medical leave will be determined on a case-by-case basis with management.
- KLG Candies offers a monthly health care reimbursement
- Team meals, delicious toffee, swag, and snacks occasionally provided
Pay: From $25.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
