Processing Lead (3rd Shift)

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and direct shift operations to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant dairy manufacturing processes.
• Drive and execute Project Blackhat initiatives, ensuring deliverables are completed on schedule and aligned with plant performance objectives.
• Champion all SAP data entry as the SME, owning the oversight of system accuracy for production, inventory, and BOM accuracy.
• Monitor and verify processing schedules, adjusting staffing and resources to meet daily output targets.
• Supervise, coach, and develop team members while promoting accountability and engagement.
• Ensure strict adherence to food safety, GMP, HACCP, SQF, FSSC and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Investigate production issues, quality concerns, and equipment downtime, implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Cook up with Maintenance, Quality, Warehouse, and Planning teams to optimize operational performance and product flow.
• Review production metrics, yield performance, labor efficiency, and waste reduction opportunities, communicating results to processing leadership.
• Conduct shift handoff meetings, safety discussions, and daily direction setting with processing teams.
• Ensure all sampling and testing procedures for the shift are completed for the Lactalis GMP initiative.
• Verify completion and accuracy of production documentation, pasteurization charts, CIP verification logs, and all other associated documents.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, cost reduction, process optimization, and employee safety.
• Serve as the primary leadership contact during the assigned shift, ensuring timely communication, issue escalation, and successful shift handoff to incoming leadership.
• Fill in as necessary if the shift falls below minimum staffing requirements.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience within a manufacturing environment (preferably food processing).
• Experience leading a manufacturing team is highly preferred.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate a team, fostering a positive and productive work environment.
• Strong understanding of food manufacturing principles, GMPs, and relevant quality control regulations.
• Experience with processing equipment and testing methodologies.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to flex work schedule when required to support a 24/7 manufacturing operation. This includes weekend and holiday work, and/or on-call support as directed by the processing management team.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.