Production Shift Supervisor

CleanFiber | Blasdell, NY

About CleanFiber

CleanFiber manufactures high-performance cellulose building insulation from recycled corrugated cardboard using a unique, patented process. Cellulose outperforms fiberglass in energy efficiency and beats spray foam on price. By replacing declining newsprint supplies with recycled cardboard, CleanFiber is poised to disrupt the fast-growing building materials market. As we scale operations at our flagship facility, we are seeking driven leaders to join us on this growth journey.

Position Overview

We are seeking an energetic, hands-on Production Shift Supervisor to lead daily execution in our 24/7 manufacturing facility. In this role, you will serve as the uncompromising Champion of Safety, drive shift operations using Lean manufacturing principles, and apply a structured troubleshooting mindset to keep our process running smoothly.

This is not an office-bound management role. You are expected work side-by-side with your production crew on the shop floor, leading by example, solving operational challenges in real time, and building a culture of high performance, quality, and mutual respect.

Key Responsibilities

• Champion a Zero-Harm Culture: Serve as the primary advocate for safety on your shift, rigorously enforcing environmental, health, and safety (EHS) standards and procedures.
• Proactive Hazard Mitigation: Conduct routine safety walks, address potential hazards immediately, and lead root-cause investigations for safety incidents or near-misses.
• Shift Performance & Flow: Direct and optimize daily workflow for a team of 12–15 hourly production employees to meet shift targets for throughput, safety, quality, and on-time customer delivery.
• Drive Lean Principles: Apply Lean methodologies (such as 5S, Standard Work, Visual Management, and continuous improvement) to eliminate waste, improve process capability, and elevate housekeeping standards.
• Active Floor Leadership: Spend the majority of your shift on the floor working alongside your team-helping run, test, and troubleshoot the production line whenever needed.
• Real-Time Problem Solving: Rapidly diagnose and troubleshoot mechanical, process, or quality disruptions to minimize downtime and maintain output.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Shipping and receiving, maintenance, quality and engineering to support product trials, process scaling, capacity expansion, equipment integration, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Coaching & Accountability: Train, mentor, and coach shift personnel on standard operating procedures. Hold team members accountable to high standards of performance, safety, and conduct.
• Shift Handover & Reporting: Manage shift documentation, attendance, basic administrative duties, and clear shift-to-shift communication to ensure seamless 24/7 transitions.

Qualifications & Experience

• Education: High School Diploma or GED required.
• Leadership Experience: 2+ years of supervisory experience in a manufacturing or industrial processing environment.
• Safety First: Proven record of leading plant safety initiatives and maintaining high quality standards.
• Troubleshooting Aptitude: Strong hands-on mechanical and process problem-solving skills.

Preferred:

• Technical Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering or technical discipline (or equivalent combination of education and hands-on experience).
• Industry Focus: 5+ years of supervisory experience, specifically within continuous operations (24/7), insulation, pulp & paper, or building materials industries.
• Lean / Continuous Improvement: Practical experience implementing 5S, Kaizen, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), or Lean manufacturing practices.
• Startup / Venture Experience: Prior experience in plant startups, process commissioning, standard procedure development, or high-growth venture environments.

Key Attributes of the Ideal Candidate

• Servant Leader: You earn respect on the shop floor by working directly with your team, listening to their challenges, and equipping them to succeed.
• Lean & Safety Minded: You naturally see waste and safety risks, and you take immediate, disciplined action to correct them.
• Resilient & Adaptable: You thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where problem-solving happens on your feet.
• Accountable: You take pride in daily execution and confidently own your shift's safety, quality, and output metrics.

Benefits & Work Environment

• Schedule: 12-hour shift rotation supporting a 24/7 operation.
• Location: On-site in Blasdell, NY (No remote option).
• Comprehensive Benefits: Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance | Paid Time Off (PTO) | Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

CleanFiber is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.