PRIMARY FUNCTION: The Poultry Processing Supervisor supervises production line/ department personnel to ensure all procedures are followed in compliance with Company policies (i.e. HACCP, SSOPs, GMPs, etc.) and Federal and State regulations (i.e. USDA, OSHA, etc.) while achieving the highest level of productivity and maintaining customer specifications and satisfaction.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:
- Manage production line/department by establishing procedures and adjusting as necessary to meet production schedules, increase efficiencies and meet or exceed budget objectives
- Deploy and rotate personnel in the most effective manner to optimize efficiency and facilitate ergonomics to ensure production schedules are met
- Ensure daily reporting is accurately completed and recorded as required (i.e. departmental reports, attendance/staffing, yields, etc.)
- Identify and communicate opportunities for process optimization (throughput, waste reduction, product quality, ergonomics, etc.) and/or reduce/eliminate repeat deficiencies (i.e. hold product, accidents, downtime, etc.)
- Lead or participate in the planning and implementation of process improvements, monitor improvement metrics and respond to unfavorable trends
- Partner with Quality Assurance to ensure a food safe and sanitary environment following all specifications and USDA requirements
- Mentor, coach and train/ cross-train employees encouraging career development; provide consistent feedback concerning strengths and areas in need of improvement
- Administer performance improvement plans and disciplinary actions on a fair and consistent basis
- Follow and promote all safety initiatives, (i.e. wear and ensure others wear appropriate PPE in area where mandatory) helping to maintain a zero accident culture
- Work corroboratively with other departments/shifts ensuring departmental or location goals are met or exceeded
- Learn, understand and adhere to current Union negotiated contract if applicable
- Perform additional duties as assigned
SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
- This role supervises up to 100 employees
- This role is a Leader of People role with required competencies: Sizing up People, Delegation, Planning, Customer Focus and Conflict Management
EDUCATION and CERTIFICATIONS:
- High School diploma or equivalent; Associate’s degree with relevant college course work preferred
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:
- Minimum one (1) years’ experience within a manufacturing setting; three (3) years’ experience in food manufacturing or poultry industry preferred
- Demonstrated one (1) years’ leadership experience including knowledge of timekeeping requirements, policy adherence, Top 25 behaviors, conflict resolution and the ability to resolve issues efficiently and effectively; three (3) years’ experience preferred
- Working knowledge of poultry processing, food safety regulations, OSHA guidelines, GMP and HACCP.
- Must have the ability to effectively communicate in English, both verbal and written, with internal and external customers in a timely and professional manner; ability to communicate in multiple languages preferred
- Strong attention to detail, organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects
- Proficient computer and math skills
- Self-starter who demonstrates strong initiative and sense of urgency, with the ability to work in a fast paced environment
- Strong organizational skills
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS:
- Follow and ensure others follow departmental and company safety policies and programs
- Wear required protective equipment in all areas where mandatory
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to work non-standard or extended shifts including nights, weekends, and/or holidays as needed
- Ability to be exposed to noise (>85 decibels), CO2, and moving production
- Ability to move about throughout shift
- May be exposed to heat (99ºF, 37ºC) and cold (45ºF, 4ºC)
- Exposure to wet and/or dusty environment
- Work around live and/or raw animal odors
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Skills Required
- High School diploma or equivalent
- Associate's degree with relevant coursework
- Minimum 1 year manufacturing experience
- 3 years food manufacturing or poultry industry experience
- Minimum 1 year leadership/supervisory experience
- 3 years leadership experience
- Working knowledge of poultry processing, food safety regulations, OSHA, GMP, HACCP
- Ability to effectively communicate in English (verbal and written)
- Ability to communicate in multiple languages
- Proficient computer and math skills
- Ability to work non-standard/extended shifts including nights, weekends, holidays
- Ability to work in noisy, hot/cold, wet, and odorous production environments
- Follow and enforce departmental and company safety policies and required PPE
- Ability to supervise up to 100 employees and apply people leadership competencies
Wayne-Sanderson Farms Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Wayne-Sanderson Farms and has not been reviewed or approved by Wayne-Sanderson Farms.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is often characterized as fair or competitive for the local area, especially for entry-level plant roles. Overtime opportunities and shift premiums can materially improve take-home pay where available.
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Affordable Benefits — Benefits are frequently described as affordable, with health and dental coverage viewed as a relative strength of the overall package. The breadth of options is often positioned as a meaningful offset to the baseline wage for many roles.
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Retirement Support — The retirement program is positioned as a standout feature, with automatic enrollment and a dollar-for-dollar match on the first 4% of pay. External recognition of the plan’s design reinforces perceptions of a strong retirement offering.
Wayne-Sanderson Farms Insights
What We Do
Wayne-Sanderson Farms is an industry leader and the nation’s third-largest poultry producer, serving customers, consumers and communities with integrity, leadership and responsible farm, workplace and business practices. With a diverse portfolio of products, a strong operating culture and an industry-leading workforce of more than 26,000 people, Wayne-Sanderson Farms owns and operates 23 fresh and further-processing facilities across Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas. Wayne-Sanderson Farms produces affordable, high-quality poultry products for retail, foodservice, restaurant, industrial and institutional segments under the brand names of WAYNE FARMS® fresh and prepared chicken; SANDERSON FARMS® fresh chicken; COVINGTON FARMS® fresh and frozen chicken; PLATINUM HARVEST® premium fresh chicken; CHEF’S CRAFT® gourmet chicken; and NAKED TRUTH® premium chicken. For more information. visit our website at http://www.waynesandersonfarms.com






