Production operator jobs in Milford, CT - 371 jobs

Assistant Production Supervisor Department: Production Reports to: Unit Manager About the Company: Water Lilies Food, LLC is a private equity-backed manufacturer and distributor of premium Asian-inspired food. Established for 30 years, the company moved in 2020 to a new state-of-the-art facility in Bay Shore, NY (Suffolk County Long Island) and is experiencing rapid growth. We are developing and supplying product for some of the leading retailers, wholesalers, and branded Asian-appetizer businesses. Our Vision is to be the preferred supplying partner of premium Asian-inspired food. We achieve this by living up to our Mission to deliver our products and services with attention to detail, a continuous improvement mindset, agility, and authenticity.Our culture is a place where employees can have a meaningful impact on the business and organization. We work collaboratively and humbly strive to get better every day while being respectful of all talents and backgrounds.The company is embarking on another major expansion project and is expecting to more than double the business in the next 3-5 years. Job Summary: This role has responsibility to assist in achieving productivity, efficiency, customer service, cost, quality, safety and employee engagement objectives through both individual and team contributions. This is a developmental role that provides direction, leadership, development and support to direct reports through empowerment, teamwork, on-the-job assignments and continuous improvement projects and initiatives. Develops, implements and promotes safety programs and safe work practices through involvement in plant safety teams, programs and initiatives. Promotes sound employee & labor relations within the department by developing and maintaining effective organization with qualified personnel. Develops, promotes, and supports continuous improvement and other cross-functional initiatives. Will work in a fast-paced environment. Responsibilities: Spend approximately 90-95% of time on the production floor actively training, educating, and developing team members and improving processes. Lead and supervise hourly employees, ensuring they are properly trained and consistently adhere to all safety, quality, and operational procedures. Communicate and enforce safety guidelines to ensure a compliant and secure work environment. Analyze, develop, and recommend measures to improve production methods, equipment performance, and overall product quality. Identify opportunities to enhance efficiency through adjustments in working conditions or equipment utilization. Investigate and resolve work-related issues while providing guidance and support to employees in problem-solving. Partner with Line Leads and operators to inspect materials, equipment, and machinery, ensuring all production needs are met efficiently. Collaborate with management and cross-functional departments to communicate updates on production efficiency, machinery status, and workforce needs. Ensure strict adherence to food safety protocols and company safety policies at all times. Assign daily work tasks, monitor performance, and provide coaching, feedback, and corrective action when needed. Foster a positive, team-oriented work environment that promotes collaboration, accountability, and open communication. Oversee the efficient and timely completion of production and operational goals in alignment with company standards. Troubleshoot operational challenges, resolve conflicts, and escalate significant concerns to the Unit Manager as appropriate. Conduct regular safety inspections, identify potential hazards, and implement corrective measures to mitigate risks. Maintain and monitor product quality to ensure compliance with specifications and customer requirements. Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as productivity, quality, and safety metrics. Prepare and submit shift reports, providing data-driven recommendations for continuous process improvement. Support onboarding and ongoing training initiatives for new and existing employees. Promote continuous improvement by encouraging participation in professional development and skill-building opportunities. Schedule and manage labor resources effectively to support operational throughput and production goals. Develop and maintain a strong technical understanding of production processes and equipment. Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational objectives. Requirements / Competencies: Minimum 2 years of experience in a manufacturing or production environment. Experience in a USDA- or FDA-regulated food processing facility required; experience with Raw and Ready-to-Eat (RTE) products preferred. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Strong analytical skills with excellent attention to detail and process accuracy. Bilingual English Spanish a must. Core Competencies: Planning & Organizing: Prioritizes tasks effectively, allocates resources efficiently, and ensures goals and productivity standards are met. Problem Solving: Identifies and addresses issues promptly; gathers and analyzes information to develop effective solutions. Leadership: Demonstrates strong supervisory skills; sets clear expectations, provides feedback, and supports employee development. Professionalism: Maintains composure and tact under pressure; focuses on solutions rather than blame; remains receptive to new ideas. Safety & Security: Consistently observes and enforces safety procedures; identifies potential hazards and ensures safe equipment use and working conditions. Physical Requirements: This role requires physical mobility of the employees as they will need to enter various parts of the factory. The employee will occasionally move within the office to access office machinery, file cabinets and collaborate with colleagues. Consistent use of office equipment such equipment may include but is not limited to computers, phones, printers and copiers. The employee will be required to frequently communicate with both internal staff members as well as external parties or customers and must be able to convey accurate information. This position may require repositioning of or movement of equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. This reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description is subject to change based on company needs as expressed by management.