Grind Team Lead

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, train, and coordinate grind room team members; assign tasks and balance line staffing based on volume and product mix.
• Execute the daily production plan, hitting output, yield, and on-time targets while minimizing waste and rework.
• Maintain product identification, lot control, and labeling accuracy; prevent cross-contamination.
• Operate grinders, blenders, conveyors, scales, and metal detectors; ensure proper set-up and calibration.
• Perform line start-up, pre-op checks, and changeovers; verify all SOPs are followed.
• Enforce HACCP, GMPs, SSOPs, and plant food safety programs; complete and review required records (CCP/PC monitoring, lot traceability).
• Monitor equipment performance and contribute to reliability and uptime improvements.
• Model and enforce safety policies: PPE use, machine guarding, LOTO, ergonomic practices, and incident reporting.
• Identify and implement improvements in processes, layouts, and training to optimize efficiency and quality.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in meat processing or food manufacturing, including grinding or blending operations.
• 1+ year in a lead/crew leader role (assigning work, training, basic documentation).
• Working knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, SSOPs, and basic food safety principles; comfortable with documentation.
• Experience with industrial grinders, blenders, scales, and metal detectors; ability to read production specs.
• Basic computer skills for production reporting (e.g., MS Excel or ERP tablets/scanners).
• Strong communication skills; detail-oriented; ability to make sound decisions under time pressure.
• Familiarity with fat/lean analysis methods (visual grading or rapid testing equipment).
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus.
• Lean/5S exposure or continuous improvement experience.