JOB POSTING
Blending Supervisor
Shreveport, LA, US, Louisiana
FULL_TIME |
Job Summary:
The Blending Supervisor is responsible for the safe, efficient, and disciplined execution of Blending and Bulk Operations during the assigned shift. This position provides direct leadership to the Blend Lead and Bulk Lead and is accountable for ensuring batch blending, In-Line Blending (ILB), production support, bulk loading, bulk unloading, material transfers, and associated activities are executed safely, accurately, and according to the production and shipping schedules.
The Blending Supervisor translates the priorities and operating plan into effective shift execution by establishing priorities, coordinating resources, removing operational barriers, and holding the team accountable for safety, environmental, quality, productivity, documentation, and inventory accuracy. The position maintains visibility and responsibility across both Blending and Bulk Operations and works closely with Production, QC Lab, Quality, Maintenance, Warehouse, Supply Chain, and Logistics to ensure materials and finished products are available when needed.
The Blending Supervisor is also responsible for developing the Blend Lead and Bulk Lead as front-line operational leaders, reinforcing standardized work and operational discipline, and driving continuous improvement within the department.
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Provide visible leadership for Environmental, Safety, Quality, and ensure employees consistently follow Company Policies, Procedures, and established work instructions.
- Conduct effective shift startup and shift handoff activities to ensure priorities, outstanding work, equipment conditions, and operational concerns are clearly communicated.
- Ensure accidents, incidents, near misses, spills, and unsafe conditions are immediately reported, contained, investigated, addressed, and documented according to Company procedures.
- Ensure Blending and Bulk Operations are performed according to applicable procedures, specifications, quality requirements, and ISO standards.
- Ensure proper material identification, process routing, tank selection, line clearance, and contamination-prevention practices are followed.
- Escalate significant safety, quality, environmental, or operational concerns to the Blending Manager and appropriate support functions.
- Maintain high standards for housekeeping, organization, equipment condition, and overall workplace discipline throughout Blending and Bulk Operations.
- Provide direct supervision and leadership to the Blend Lead and Bulk Lead.
- Establish clear shift priorities based on the production schedule, blending requirements, inbound material requirements, outbound bulk shipments, tank availability, and other operational needs.
- Monitor progress against the shift plan and adjust resources and priorities when conditions change.
- Ensure labor and equipment resources are appropriately allocated to meet operational priorities.
- Identify potential schedule interruptions before they affect operations and take action to prevent or minimize downtime.
- Remove barriers preventing employees from safely and efficiently completing assigned work.
- Ensure appropriate staffing coverage for absences, breaks, training, and other vacancies.
- Coordinate resources between Blending and Bulk Operations when workload or operational conditions require additional support.
- Communicate significant schedule risks, staffing issues, material shortages, equipment problems, and other operational concerns to the Blending Manager.
- Ensure required Blend Checklists, BRMRRs, transfer records, Bills of Lading, receiving records, loading/unloading documentation, and other applicable records are accurate and complete.
- Maintain accountability for alignment between physical material movements, operational documentation, and IFS inventory transactions.
- Investigate or coordinate resolution of inventory, documentation, and transaction discrepancies.
- Provide employees with timely feedback regarding performance, safety, quality, attendance, teamwork, and adherence to established procedures.
- Recognize strong performance and address performance or behavioral concerns promptly and consistently.
- Support employee training, qualification, cross-training, and development within Blending and Bulk Operations.
- Promote teamwork, accountability, integrity, respect, and strong working relationships throughout the department.
- Support succession planning and development of employees capable of progressing into higher-skilled operator and lead positions.
- Monitor departmental performance and identify recurring causes of delays, downtime, errors, rework, inventory discrepancies, or inefficient work.
- Use available operational data and KPIs to identify performance gaps and improvement opportunities.
- Participate in root-cause analysis and corrective actions for safety, quality, inventory, equipment, and operational issues.
- Support implementation of new processes, equipment, technology, and operating procedures.
- Reinforce a culture of operational discipline in which employees follow established processes, complete transactions correctly, communicate abnormalities, and manage work proactively rather than reactively.
- Serve as the primary shift-level point of contact for Blending and Bulk Operations.
- Maintain effective communication with the Blending Manager regarding department performance, schedule attainment, staffing, safety, quality, equipment, and material concerns.
- Effectively communicate and coordinate across other departments including, but not limited to, Production, Quality, QC Lab, Supply Chain, Logistics, and Maintenance to support effective, quality operations and support Company and Departmental metrics.
- Maintain professional and effective working relationships across Plant departments.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Blending Manager or Management.
Core Competencies:
- Strong understanding of pumps, process piping, tanks, filters, and related blending equipment.
- Knowledge of bulk truck and railcar loading/unloading operations.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing and process operations.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Self-starter with the ability to take initiative and make appropriate operational decisions within the scope of the position.
- Demonstrated ability to lead employees, establish priorities, delegate work, and hold personnel accountable.
- Moderate computer skills, including the ability to operate applicable computer systems and Microsoft Office applications.
Education and Experience:
- High School Diploma or equivalent.
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Operations, Manufacturing, Business, or a related field preferred.
- Previous leadership or supervisory experience in manufacturing, blending, chemical processing, bulk handling, or a related industrial environment preferred.
- Experience with blending operations, pumps, process piping, tanks, and material transfers preferred.
- Previous experience providing operational leadership, training, or work coordination preferred.
- Previous certification at the Bulk Lead or Blend Lead position required or equivalent experience or education.
Physical Requirements:
- Must be willing and able to work assigned shifts, including weekends and holidays as needed, in addition to working overtime.
- Ability to climb and work at heights greater than 10 feet utilizing required safety systems.
- Willing and able to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- Ability to lift and pull up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to perform the physical activities necessary to operate blending equipment, manipulate hoses and valves, access tanks and process equipment, and perform routine inspections throughout the shift.
Omni Specialty Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).