Craftmate Lead

About the role

Responsible for overseeing the operational aspects of the Craftmate production line to ensure the efficient and high-quality filling and packaging of beverage cans. Coordinates production activities, maintains equipment, and enforces rigorous quality control measures to meet industry standards. Ensures smooth operation of the Craftmate production process by organizing and securing packaged pallets for storage and transportation.

Responsibilities

• Manage the setup, operation, and maintenance of Craftmate equipment to ensure accurate product filling, secure pallet stacking, and consistent adherence to safety and quality standards.
• Monitor production flow and promptly address any operational issues. Escalate matters to supervisor and/or manager as appropriate.
• Lead efforts in diagnosing and resolving equipment malfunctions, coordinating with maintenance teams to minimize downtime.
• Oversee routine maintenance and cleaning to ensure optimal equipment performance and prevent contamination, ensuring compliance with Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) schedules.
• Ensure consistent quality control throughout filling and palletizing processes by conducting regular checks and addressing any defects or deviations.
• Maintain detailed documentation on production activities, equipment performance, and quality inspections, including completion of all area quality checks.
• Verify attainment percentages for each job, investigating variances from intended completion levels and root causes of excess scrap or other discrepancies.
• Lead, mentor, and coach team members on filling and palletizing processes, ensuring safety, operational efficiency, and competency.
• Provide hands-on training for new operators or team members transitioning to advanced tasks, focusing on equipment operation, troubleshooting, and production optimization.
• Share best practices on machine calibration, product changeovers, and efficiency improvements while assessing team performance to align with production goals.
• Manage transitions between jobs smoothly, using clear communication with the team regarding transitions and changeover instructions, as well as any changes to existing production schedules.
• Identify and implement opportunities for process improvements, efficiency gains, and waste reduction.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to conduct process analysis and develop performance reports that enhance production performance and operational efficiency.
• Promote a safety-first culture by enforcing compliance with safety protocols, guidelines, and regulatory requirements across filling and palletizing operations.
• Lead by example, fostering safety awareness and best practices, and ensuring compliance with established job safety practices.
• Collaborate closely with Specialists and cross-functional teams, including shift supervisors and maintenance, to align efforts, share knowledge, and achieve production goals.
• Participate in early line leader tie-in meetings to facilitate effective communication and coordination.

Wet End Machine Setup

• Prepare the Krones can filling machine for production runs by configuring settings, such as can size, fill volume, and product type.
• Ensure the machine is clean, sanitized, and ready for production according to established CIP protocols.
• Monitor the can filling machine during operation to ensure consistent product quality.
• Load cans into the machine, oversee the filling, sealing, and labeling processes, and make minor adjustments as needed.
• Perform routine cleaning and preventive maintenance on the filling machine.
• Adhere to sanitation and food safety standards, including GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), and ensure the machine remains in optimal working condition.
• Maintain detailed and accurate records of production data, machine settings, quality control checks, and any maintenance activities for regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.

Dry End Palletizing (if applicable)

• Receive cans from the filler and stack them onto pallets according to established patterns or instructions, including manually lifting and placing cans or operating automated palletizing equipment.
• Inspect cans for defects, such as dents, damage, or mislabeling, before palletizing. Remove any defective cans and report issues to the supervisor.
• Ensure that pallets are clean, in good condition, and appropriate for the type of cans being palletized.
• Stack cans or cartons on pallets in a stable and secure manner, following specific stacking patterns or instructions.
• Affix appropriate labels to pallets, indicating the product, quantity, lot number, and any other required information.
• Maintain accurate records of palletized cans, including counts and batch numbers.
• Operate palletizing machinery, such as forklifts, pallet jacks, or automated robotic systems, ensuring safe and efficient use of equipment.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area, including removing empty cans, debris, and any hazards.
• Adhere to safety procedures, including wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and following proper lifting techniques to prevent injuries.

Batching

• Oversee the batching and mixing of raw materials according to recipes and production schedules.
• Ensure all batches meet quality standards through accurate measurements, testing, and adherence to specifications.
• Monitor and manage inventory levels of raw materials and finished products related to batching.
• Coordinate maintenance and cleaning of batching equipment to ensure optimal performance and safety.
• Enforce safety protocols and ensure a safe working environment during batching operations.
• Lead batching operators and provide guidance on procedures, troubleshooting, and best practices.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation related to batching processes, including batch logs, quality reports, and inventory records.
• Identify opportunities for process optimization, efficiency improvements, and cost savings in batching operations.
• Train new employees on batching procedures, safety protocols, and quality standards.
• Collaborate with other departments such as production, quality assurance, and maintenance to ensure seamless operations and resolve any issues.

Food Safety

Responsible and required to notify management about actual or potential food safety issues; empowered to act to resolve food safety issues within their scope of work. If this position is vacant for any significant period of time, the obligation for completion of all food safety and quality-related tasks becomes the responsibility of the direct manager or a qualified designee.

Requirements

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one year of related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven experience in a production environment with strong leadership and coordination abilities.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., Lean Six Sigma, TPM, OSHA safety training) are a plus.
• A commitment to safety, housekeeping, and preventative maintenance practices, as well as flexibility to work different shifts when required.

Skills

• Familiarity with CIP (Clean-in-Place) processes and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) guidelines in a food and beverage production environment.
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting aptitude or experience.
• Basic knowledge of a variety of computer software applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Has learned the basic skills and routine tasks necessary; beginning to learn advanced skills and gaining an understanding of the total process flow.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regularly required to talk or hear.
• Frequently required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, and feel objects, tools, and controls.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, bend, and reach with hands and arms.
• Must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.