Description
Position Summary
The Site Supervisor oversees daily operations at the insect production site, ensuring efficient workflows, high product quality, and adherence to safety and regulatory standards. This role provides hands-on leadership to production staff engaged in the rearing, processing, and packaging of beneficial insects and mites used in biological pest control. The Site Supervisor coordinates with Operations and Quality teams to meet production goals, maintain facility readiness, and ensure consistent communication across shifts.
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Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Supervise and coordinate daily work activities of site staff involved in insect and mite production, processing, and facility maintenance.
- Plan and assign work to optimize productivity, quality, and resource utilization.
- Monitor environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, sanitation) to maintain optimal production outcomes.
- Train employees in production techniques, safety protocols, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Inspect work areas and equipment for compliance with safety, quality, and sanitation standards.
- Maintain accurate records of inventory, production output, labor, and materials.
- Collaborate with Quality Assurance and R&D teams to identify and resolve production or product-quality issues.
- Participate in hiring, onboarding, and performance evaluations for site employees.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, state and federal labor regulations, and biosecurity requirements.
- Assist with scheduling, timekeeping, and reporting hours worked to Payroll and HR.
- Promote a culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Requirements
Qualifications
Education & Experience:
- Associate degree in Agriculture, Biology, Business, or a related field preferred;
- Minimum of 2 years of direct supervisory experience overseeing 10–15 employees in a production, agricultural, or manufacturing environment.
- 3–5 years of experience in agricultural production, greenhouse operations, insectary, or similar controlled-environment facility.
- Experience with scheduling, performance management, and cross-training in a fast-paced, hands-on setting.
- Familiarity with Cal/OSHA safety standards and agricultural labor regulations preferred
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
- Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to motivate and develop teams.
- Working knowledge of agricultural or biological production practices.
- Ability to identify operational issues and implement practical solutions.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word) and production recordkeeping.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., stand for extended periods, and work in warm, humid environments typical of insect rearing facilities.
Work Environment
- Work is performed in a controlled agricultural production facility with exposure to live insects, biological materials, and varying temperatures and humidity.
- May require weekend, holiday, or early/late shift work to maintain live cultures.
Description
Job Title: Quality Assurance Technician
Location: Redding
Job Summary:
The Quality Assurance Technician supports Beneficial Insectary’s production and laboratory operations by conducting precise arthropod counts, collecting and analyzing data, and maintaining high standards of accuracy and quality. This role ensures product integrity and adherence to quality control procedures through consistent monitoring, documentation, and collaboration with the Quality Assurance Processing Lead and production staff.
The position requires strong attention to detail, familiarity with basic laboratory equipment, and adherence to established protocols and safety standards.
Key Responsibilities:
- Perform meticulous counting and data collection of arthropods using stereoscopes, microscopes, aspirators, and analytical balances.
- Accurately record, organize, and analyze data for quality and production metrics.
- Assist with various QA sampling and analysis methods including Cone-n-cut, Wet counts, Tape counts, Emergence counts, and Aspirator counts.
- Operate computers proficiently to generate reports and ensure timely communication of QA findings.
- Handle arthropods and related biological materials in accordance with PPE and safety standards.
- Assist in sieving tasks and transport of production supplies such as Peat Moss, Vermiculite, and Bran.
- Support production activities including packaging, preparing raw material mixtures, and measuring received products for inventory control.
- Collaborate with peers and leadership to uphold corporate Objectives, Goals, Actions, and Measures (OGAM) for continuous improvement.
- Maintain cleanliness, organization, and calibration of laboratory work areas and equipment.
- Other duties as assigned.
Physical Demands
Work in controlled laboratory and production environments with variable temperatures, humidity, and occasional exposure to odors or allergens associated with arthropods.
Extended periods of sitting, standing, and repetitive hand motions.
Close visual acuity for precise work under microscopes and computers.
Ability to safely lift, carry, or move up to 20 lbs with or without accommodation.
Requirements
Qualifications:
- Minimum of one (1) year of related experience in quality assurance, laboratory, or production settings.
- Basic understanding of entomology principles preferred.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and digital data entry systems.
- Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to follow standard operating procedures.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills; ability to work collaboratively across departments.
- Familiarity with laboratory tools such as microscopes, stereoscopes, and analytical balances
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Associate’s degree in Agriculture, Biology, or a related scientific field preferred.
- Additional coursework or certifications in Quality Assurance or Laboratory Science desirable.
Description
Position Summary
We are seeking a Production Supervisor for our Lacewing department to oversee daily operations. This role ensures that production targets are met in both quantity and quality while maintaining high standards of efficiency, safety, and teamwork.
Key Responsibilities
- Supervise and execute daily lacewing production plans.
- Oversee preparation of raw materials, including setups, breakdowns, artificial diets, and egg harvesting.
- Monitor and maintain inventory of raw materials and finished products.
- Ensure all production tasks are completed accurately, on time, and in required quantities.
- Train, guide, and support production team members.
- Repair and maintain production materials as needed.
- Collaborate with other departments to meet production goals.
- Ensure adherence to safety and quality standards.
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Qualifications
- Associates degree in Agronomy or Biology (preferred).
- 2–3 years of supervisory experience managing teams of 5–10 employees.
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Effective, assertive communication skills with team members and supervisors.
- Ability to adapt to new procedures and changing workplace conditions.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Teams).