The Surface Department Supervisor is a key member of the operations management team, reporting to the Surface Superintendent. This role provides leadership and supervision to a team of 20-30 hourly employees, including mill operators, bulk loader operators, package operators, laborers, contract employees, and occasionally maintenance personnel, across multiple shifts in a 24/7 heavy industry or manufacturing operation. The supervisor ensures safe, compliant, and efficient production and shipping of bulk and packaged salt products while fostering positive employee relations, a collaborative team environment, and a culture of continuous improvement and ownership. Flexibility is critical, as shifts may vary (8-12+ hours), including back shifts (2nd/3rd shifts), weekends, holidays, and overtime, with occasional short-notice adjustments.

SALARY:  $85,000-$110,000 DOE

Responsibilities and Principal Accountabilities

Supervision and Leadership: Manage and lead mill operators, bulk loader operators, package operators, laborers, contract employees, and occasionally maintenance personnel (approximately 24 production and 6 maintenance staff, plus seasonal contractors/temps) across multiple shifts, empowering employees to maintain positive relations and a culture of continuous improvement.

Safety Leadership: Set and enforce high safety standards, ensure compliance with MSHA regulations and company safety policies, and proactively manage hazards to maintain a safe work environment.

Environmental Compliance: Ensure adherence to environmental regulations and company policies, including immediate spill cleanup and proper operation of pollution control devices.

Quality Control: Uphold company quality standards, track and record shift production and quality data, and ensure compliance with safe feed, HACCP, and GMP programs.

Production Scheduling: Plan and execute product line production schedules to meet requirements, prioritizing safety, compliance, quality, productivity, efficiency, and process optimization.

Resource Management: Request materials, parts, and supplies, minimizing waste and controlling costs.

Employee Management: Handle personnel scheduling, timekeeping, job tracking and coding, interviewing, hiring, training, coaching, and disciplining employees to ensure accountability and performance.

Cross-Department Collaboration: Work with mine production, maintenance, customer service, and sales teams, providing timely reports, information, and insights to support operational goals.

Project Leadership: Assist or lead projects, including equipment installation and process improvements, from design to implementation.

Equipment Maintenance and Housekeeping: Oversee routine maintenance, servicing, and troubleshooting of stationary and mobile equipment, supporting or performing corrective maintenance, and ensuring high housekeeping standards.

Contractor Management: Supervise and coordinate contractors to support shift operations.

Administrative Tasks: Utilize email and business applications (e.g., Word, Excel) for communication, reporting, and documentation.

Equipment Familiarity

Mobile Equipment: Front-end loaders, dozers, skid steer loaders, forklifts, telehandlers, boom lifts, trucks, railcar movers, and similar equipment.

Stationary Equipment: Crushers, screeners, belt conveyors, screw conveyors, bucket elevator legs, dryers, chutes, spouts, gates, pumps, fans, scales, manual bag filling equipment, robotic palletizing lines, and other milling/powered haulage/support equipment.

Qualifications

Qualifications

Education: High School diploma or GED required; engineering, technical, or related degree (or equivalent experience) preferred.

Experience: 3+ years of proven leadership/supervision in heavy industry or manufacturing.

Certifications: MSHA “blue card” safety training certification is a plus.

Skills:

Strong mechanical aptitude and familiarity with mobile and stationary equipment.

Excellent organizational and planning abilities.

Ability to learn and apply maintenance best practices.

Strong verbal and written communication skills with a customer service-oriented attitude.

Proficiency with email and business applications (e.g., Word, Excel).

Physical Requirements: Ability to lift 50-100 pounds, climb stairs/ladders, and work in a physically demanding environment.

Availability: Flexible to work overtime, holidays, weekends, and varying shifts (8-12+ hours, including back shifts), with occasional short-notice schedule changes.

Work Environment

24/7 operation with multiple shifts; initial training on day shift, transitioning to back shifts (2nd/3rd shifts) as needed.

Dynamic, team-oriented setting requiring collaboration across departments and leadership in fostering a culture of ownership and improvement.

Exposure to heavy industry equipment and processes, requiring strict adherence to safety and compliance standards

Why is This a Great Opportunity

Brand recognition

Excellent leadership team

Opportunities for advancement