Job Title: Sr. Production Supervisor, 1st Shift
Location: Germantown, WI
As a Sr. Production Supervisor – Cultures Production Process, you will be responsible for leading shift-based manufacturing operations within a fermentation and cultures production environment. This role ensures safe, efficient, and compliant execution of production plans while meeting targets for output, yield, and quality. The position drives team performance through coaching and development, enforces strict adherence to GMP, HACCP, and safety standards, and leads continuous improvement initiatives to optimize processes and reduce waste. The Sr. Production Supervisor also collaborates cross-functionally with Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and SHE teams, while managing real-time production issues, supporting equipment reliability, and maintaining accurate documentation and reporting.
Your Key Responsibilities:
- Enforce all plant safety procedures (Life Saving Rules, SHE requirements, PPE).
- Lead and coordinate all production activities on shift to meet daily production targets (volume, yield, schedule adherence).
- Conduct pre-shift meetings (safety, quality, production plan, priorities).
- Assign labor and balance staffing across production rooms/equipment based on demand and constraints.
- Monitor production flow and adjust resources to address bottlenecks or downtime.
- Ensure smooth shift handoff with prior and next shifts (status, issues, actions).
- Investigate incidents, near misses, and unsafe conditions; implement corrective actions.
- Lead fermentation-based manufacturing operations delivering safety, quality, and production results.
- Ensure compliance with OSHA, FDA, GMP, HACCP, and food safety standards.
- Support internal/external safety and food safety audits.
- Verify production processes meet HACCP plans and critical control points (CCPs).
- Collaborate with Quality team to resolve product deviations or holds.
- Ensure accurate batch documentation, traceability, and lot control.
- Track and manage KPIs.
- Analyze production data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
- Lead daily performance reviews and escalate constraints impacting targets.
- Build a high-performance team culture focused on accountability and engagement.
- Supervise leads and operators; provide direction and coaching.
- Organize, monitor and conduct training and onboarding for new employees.
- Evaluate employee performance and conduct regular feedback sessions. (1 x quarter).
- Address employee issues (attendance, discipline, morale) following site HR policies
- Drive waste reduction, efficiency improvements, and process optimization.
- Participate in root cause analysis (RCA) and implement corrective/preventive actions.
- Maintenance & equipment coordination.
- Ensure availability of raw materials, packaging, and supplies.
- Coordinate with Warehouse and Planning teams on production schedules.
- Maintain inventory accuracy and support cycle counts when needed.
- Ensure completion and accuracy of production reports, batch records and cleaning and sanitation logs.
- Generate shift reports including KPIs, issues, and action plans.
- Crisis & Escalation Management.
We Offer:- A competitive compensation package – with comprehensive health and welfare benefits.
- A strong sense of accountability – you take initiative, speak up, and see things through. You are responsible and focus on what matters.
- An innovator’s instinct – you’re always looking for better, smarter, more sustainable ways to make an impact.
- Curiosity and an open mind - because you believe progress starts with asking, “Is there a better way?”
- A collaborative spirit – you’re at your best when working across teams, functions and countries.
- A focus on unity - with stakeholders and customers.
You Bring:
- Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of supervisory experience.
- Or 2 year degree and 7 years of supervisory experience.
- Manage a team of 16-20 direct reports.
- Demonstrates strong leadership and communication skills in influencing peers to perform in an exemplary manner.
- Understands all safety, quality, food safety requirements.
- Thorough understanding of all SHE requirements with a proven record of support for them and the coaching of peers.
- Experience in continuous improvement and cross-functional collaboration.
- Experience leading a team from diverse backgrounds.
The salary scale provided reflects the pay range dsm-firmenich expects to pay the successful candidate for the position. Individual pay offered will be based on the applicant’s job-related skills, experience, relevant education, or training, and primary work location. The salary range is $95,000 to $110,000.
In addition to base salary, we also offer a comprehensive total rewards package, inclusive of annual incentive pay, a retirement savings plan, health care coverage, paid time off, recognition programs and a broad range of other benefits. All benefits and incentives are subject to eligibility requirements.
About dsm-firmenich:
At dsm-firmenich, we don’t just meet expectations – we go beyond them.
Join our global team powered by science, creativity, and a shared purpose: to bring progress to life.
From elevating health to making fortified food and sustainable skincare, the impact of your work here will be felt by millions – every single day. Whether it’s fragrance that helps you focus, alternative meat that’s better for the planet, or reducing sugar without losing flavor, this is where you help shape the future of nutrition, health, and beauty for everyone, everywhere.
And while you’re making a difference, we’ll make sure you’re growing too. With learning that never stops, a culture that lifts you up and the freedom to move across businesses, teams, and borders. Your voice matters here. And your ideas? They’re essential to our future.
Because real progress only happens when we go beyond, together.
Inclusion, belonging and equal opportunity statement:
At dsm-firmenich, we believe being a force for good starts with the way we treat each other. When people feel supported, included, and free to be themselves, they do their best work – and that’s exactly the kind of culture we’re building. A place where opportunity is truly equal, authenticity is celebrated, and everyone has the chance to grow, contribute, and feel they belong.
We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we’re serious about making our hiring process as fair and inclusive as possible. From inclusive language and diverse interview panels to thoughtful sourcing, we’re committed to reflecting the world we serve.
We welcome candidates from all backgrounds — no matter your gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes you, you.
And if you have a disability or need any support through the application process, we’re here to help – just let us know what you need, and we’ll do everything we can to make it work.
Agency statement:
We’re managing this search directly at dsm-firmenich. If you’re applying as an individual, we’d love to hear from you. We’re not accepting agency submissions or proposals involving fees or commissions for this role.
