Production Supervisor Quality Technician

AWT is a leading manufacturer of custom labels, flexible packaging, and precision converting solutions servicing Healthcare, Consumer Brand, and Technology clients worldwide. AWT employs nearly 650 associates and operates facilities in Minneapolis, MN (Headquarters), South Elgin, IL, Hauppauge, NY, Grand Blanc, MI, Anaheim, CA, Ottawa and Toronto, Canada, Winston-Salem and Garner, NC. AWT is the trusted partner for leading brands, delivering comprehensive, innovative, and sustainable solutions with exceptional quality, expertise, and responsiveness. More information about AWT can be found at www.awtlabelpack.com

AWT offers comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance and other voluntary supplemental insurance coverages, HSA, 401k with match, holidays and paid time off.

AWT has the following position open in our South Elgin, IL location:

The schedule for this position is M - F, Hours are - 6am - 2:30pm. Additional days and hours may be necessary due to production requirements.

The Production Supervisor / Quality Technician is responsible for providing daily leadership, production oversight, and quality assurance for the North Aurora manufacturing operation. This position ensures production schedules, quality standards, food safety requirements, and continuous improvement initiatives are successfully achieved while maintaining a safe and efficient work environment.

This role combines production supervision, quality management, operator training, and hands-on technical support. The incumbent serves as the primary on-site leader, ensuring associates are properly trained, production equipment operates efficiently, customer specifications are met, and quality systems are consistently followed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Production Leadership & Supervision

• Lead, direct, train, coach, and develop production employees assigned to the facility.

• Ensure daily production objectives, efficiency targets, and customer delivery requirements are achieved.

• Provide leadership, motivation, and accountability to all employees on shift.

• Review and approve machine setups, job startups, and production activities to ensure compliance with customer specifications.

• Maintain production schedules and coordinate priorities with other departments.

• Ensure facility organization, housekeeping, and workplace standards are maintained.

• Participate in management meetings and company improvement initiatives.

• Serve as backup operator for die cutting and related production equipment as needed.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Conduct first-piece inspections, first article reviews, and in-process quality checks.

• Verify production output meets customer print specifications, quality requirements, and internal standards.

• Approve production runs and provide quality sign-off when applicable.

• Troubleshoot quality concerns and implement corrective actions.

• Maintain document control systems, quality records, work instructions, and production documentation.

• Create, revise, and train employees on standard operating procedures and work instructions.

• Support internal audits, customer audits, and supplier quality initiatives.

• Investigate non-conformances and customer complaints and assist with root cause analysis.

• Maintain compliance with SQF, GMP, food safety, environmental, and company quality requirements.

• Exercise authority to stop production or shipment of non-conforming product when necessary.

Equipment & Technical Support

• Understand operation, setup, and troubleshooting of die cutting and converting equipment.

• Provide hands-on support for equipment setups, changeovers, and operational issues.

• Ensure preventive maintenance activities are completed according to schedule.

• Coordinate repairs and equipment service with maintenance resources.

• Verify equipment is calibrated, validated, and operating within required specifications.

• Assist with equipment improvement, validation, and process enhancement projects.

Continuous Improvement

• Support Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement programs.

• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, safety, and waste reduction.

• Track and analyze production and quality metrics.

• Participate in corrective and preventive action activities.

• Lead improvement projects that enhance customer satisfaction and operational performance.

Safety & Food Safety Responsibilities

• Promote and enforce all company safety policies and procedures.

• Conduct routine safety observations and corrective actions.

• Ensure compliance with food safety, SQF, GMP, and regulatory requirements.

• Report and address safety risks, equipment hazards, and quality concerns immediately.

• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized production environment.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Complete production, quality, and performance documentation accurately and timely.

• Assist with inventory control, material management, and audits as needed.

• Support cross-training and onboarding of employees.

• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required.

• Associate degree or technical training in Manufacturing, Quality, Packaging, or related field preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of manufacturing, packaging, converting, or related production experience.

• Previous supervisory or team leadership experience preferred.

• Quality assurance experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.

• Experience with die cutting, converting or flexible packaging operations highly preferred.

• Experience working in a food-safe manufacturing environment is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong leadership, coaching, and employee development skills.

• Working knowledge of quality systems, GMP, SQF, and food safety requirements.

• Strong mechanical aptitude and equipment troubleshooting abilities.

• Ability to read and interpret production specifications, job tickets, and technical documentation.

• Understanding of manufacturing processes, production scheduling, and workflow management.

• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.

• Strong organizational and time-management abilities.

• High attention to detail and commitment to quality.

• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and production reporting systems.

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a remote manufacturing location.

• Continuous improvement mindset focused on safety, quality, service, and productivity.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

• Ability to bend, reach, stoop, push, pull, and perform repetitive motions.

• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to moving machinery and varying noise levels.

• Ability to safely operate production and material handling equipment as required.

Performance Measurements

Performance will be evaluated based on:

• Safety performance and compliance

• Quality metrics and customer satisfaction

• Production output and schedule attainment

• Waste reduction and material utilization

• Equipment uptime and maintenance compliance

• Food safety and regulatory compliance

• Employee development and training effectiveness

• Continuous improvement participation and results

• Attendance, reliability, and teamwork

• Achievement of departmental and company objectives

AWT is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we encourage all qualified and interested persons to apply for available positions by submitting an application or resume for consideration. AWT will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability/handicap status, marital status, military status, sexual orientation, genetic history or information, or any other basis protected by federal, state and local laws. It is AWT's policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.

Please note these job descriptions are not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.