Production Supervisor

Cox Farms

At Cox Farms, we are setting the global standard in growing a safe, secure food supply capable of feeding a growing population, regardless of calendar or climate. Through our multinational network of indoor farms and consumer brands, BrightFarms and Mucci Farms, the business has already become the largest greenhouse operator in the United States and Canada, surpassing $500 million in revenue and growing our workforce to thousands of dedicated and passionate employees. We’re future proofing the world of produce and serving the biggest names in retail across thousands of stores. And we’re just getting started. Want to grow the future of food together? Join Cox Farms today!

The Production Supervisor will be responsible for day-to-day management and organizing workflow of a greenhouse production area by assigning schedules, and leading and managing an hourly workforce.

Our Yorkville, Illinois, farm is our second and largest greenhouse in Illinois, at around 480,000 square feet. With an annual production of around 6 million pounds of leafy greens, BrightFarms is ensuring fresh greens for Chicagoland communities.

Specifically, you will:

• Supervise greenhouse operations and ensure high performance
• Plan and execute the production schedule, providing supervision and direction to production leads
• Allocate resources to ensure minimum downtime and completion of scheduled activities
• Prioritize and manage workload to ensure assignments address goals and objectives
• Be accountable to KPIs tied to labor expenses and other operating expenses.
• Work on areas of improvement and lead our efforts to be a LEAN organization and will guide us through kaizen activities to improve system efficiencies
• Maintain a neat, orderly, and safe greenhouse facility and operation
• Ensure compliance on all food safety material, food safety best practices, as well as maintaining, monitoring, and verifying all food safety logs
• Assist with the onboarding process of new hires, conducting reviews for associates, ensuring training of associates
• Assist in planning and execution all aspects of the greenhouse management and provide labor and resources to assist as needed
• Work closely with peers to develop good team working relationship and cross shift team relationships.

The ideal candidate:

• Has 3-5 years’ experience directly working in food production
• Proficiency with computer operations and programs such as Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel), Access or other data tracking systems
• Strong decision-making and troubleshooting skills and methods are essential.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A preference will be given to candidates from organizations in perishable food business with a value-added function, such as cutting fruits/vegetables, processing fruits/vegetables, re-packing, etc. But we will consider candidates from any light manufacturing or complex distribution operation. We also look for candidates with basic to medium expertise in growing system in a protected environment
• Food or agriculture industry experience
• Bilingual, English and Spanish

Working conditions / Environment / Travel / Schedule required

Office/Coolers/Warehouse/Greenhouse: Supervisor will have exposure to seasonal conditions which may range from extreme heat and humidity in the summer to cold in the winter. Often working near moving mechanical parts. There will be exposure to cleaning chemicals. The noise level of machines and cooling units can be loud. Time will be divided between field and office related work. Minimal travel will be required.

While performing the duties of this job, employees are expected to sometimes use hands to finger, handle or feel. Frequently standing, walking, reaching with hands and arms, as well as stooping, kneeling, crouching, and climbing. The lifting requirements to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds. The employee should have clear correctable vision at close and distance range, as well as peripheral vision to notice safety hazards.

Employment Notice

This role will support all Cox Farms businesses. The employer for this role is BrightFarms Inc. and is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

For roles based in the United States: Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for employer sponsorship. For roles based in Canada: applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada.

Let’s grow the future of food together. Join Cox Farms today.