Production Line Lead

About the Role

The Line Lead provides essential guidance, leadership, and oversight of specific production lines. Line Leads must understand all aspects of the assigned production line and will be responsible for guiding partners and material resources towards safety, quality, and throughput goals. Working in a team-oriented environment, Leads help instill and enforce team accountability and trust while creating a positive and safe work environment.

Responsibilities

• Correct and report food safety and quality issues and ensure partners follow established SOPs, SSOPs, and GMPs.
• Model safe behavior, coach, and correct the behavior of others to ensure a safe production environment.
• Communicate with Supervisor, Quality, and/or Business Unit Leader regarding any out-of-specification or questionable product.
• Achieve schedule attainment and productivity/throughput metrics on assigned line.
• Ensure finished goods meet or exceed customer specifications and regulatory requirements; verify date codes reflect proper product identification.
• Communicate with production supervisors to identify daily goals and responsibilities.
• Communicate with partners regarding key metrics, results, and opportunities to align daily activities with strategic goals.
• Prepare shift documentation and present it to the supervisor in a timely manner.
• Ensure operators complete all required shift documentation accurately and timely.
• Assist operators in adjusting machine settings (e.g., weight settings, line speed, printers).
• Coordinate with maintenance technicians to facilitate equipment repairs or adjustments.
• Learn and perform most positions on the assigned production line.
• Coach and develop team members to achieve required performance levels.
• Coordinate, deliver, and document partner training; ensure new partners progress toward full competency.
• Monitor partner performance, provide regular input to the Supervisor, and escalate serious or unresolved issues.
• Ensure daily housekeeping duties are completed thoroughly and correctly.
• Monitor and correct deviations from standards and base settings; report changes and reasons to the supervisor.
• Lead and participate in trials, start-ups, shut-downs, changeovers, and cleans to drive efficiency and on-time completion.
• Perform sanitation inspections of the line prior to start-up or changeover and correct any deficiencies.
• Ensure line-related SOPs, SSOPs, and job aids are utilized and up-to-date.
• Ensure partners keep work areas stocked with necessary supplies and equipment.
• Champion continuous improvement by identifying opportunities in the production process and implementing solutions.
• Coordinate break times and the distribution of labor on the production line.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience operating and maintaining complex machines; food manufacturing experience preferred.
• Ability to understand and align with the goals and objectives of a daily food production environment.
• Ability to read and write English, perform basic mathematical calculations, and meet daily record-keeping requirements.
• Experience delivering training or supporting the transfer of technical knowledge to others.
• Proficiency with MS Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to assemble, disassemble, and troubleshoot complex machines and processes.
• Ability to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a live production environment.
• Ability to operate machines safely.
• Ability to coach and motivate others toward specific production goals.
• Ability to plan and organize teams around specific tasks, activities, or processes.
• Ability to learn and adhere to company standards, including production practices, safety practices, SOPs, SSOPs, GMPs, and the employee handbook.

Working Conditions

• Positions require standing, repetitive movement, bending, and twisting, and using hands to handle objects.
• Exposure to sustained noise levels and a variety of food allergens (e.g., gluten, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, milk).
• Working in very hot temperatures and exposure to hazards such as machinery, slippery floors, ladders, and powered industrial vehicles.
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Must be able to safely move around in the production area (under, over, and around production line equipment).
• Must be able to pick up, lift, stack, and/or move various objects and containers of up to seventy (70) pounds.
• Ability to stand for 90% of shift, sometimes up to 12 hours.
• Must be available for all shifts, including nights, weekends, and some holidays; potential for overtime.

Pay

Starting pay: $23/hour plus shift differential ($0.25/hour from 3 p.m.–11 p.m., $1.00/hour from 11 p.m.–7 a.m.).