Production Line Technical Lead

About this position

The Citterio USA Production Line Technical Lead is responsible for overseeing the technical performance and operational efficiency of the production line, with a focus on slicing equipment and related machinery. This role ensures optimal equipment setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting, while driving process improvements to enhance productivity and reduce waste. Through hands-on leadership, the Technical Lead plays a critical role in maintaining high standards of food safety, product quality, and team performance.

Supervision Received

This position reports directly to the Production Supervisor.

Essential Functions of the Position

• Enforce safety protocols and ensure a safe working environment for all employees.
• Supervise the setup, operation, and troubleshooting of slicing machines and other production equipment.
• Ensure all machinery is maintained according to manufacturer and company standards.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for equipment failures or process deviations.
• Collaborate with supervisors and quality teams to optimize slicing processes for yield, quality, and safety.
• Train and mentor production line operators on equipment operation, safety, and best practices.
• Ensure all products meet food safety, quality, and regulatory standards (e.g., HAACP, GMP, SQF).
• Conduct regular inspections and audits of the production line for compliance.
• Oversee sanitation and cleanliness of equipment and production areas.
• Communicate production status, issues, and improvement initiatives to supervisors and management.
• Maintain high standards of quality throughout the production process.
• Collaborate with the maintenance teams to optimize equipment performance.
• Monitor inventory levels of raw materials and finished products.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Familiarity with mechanical and electrical systems related to production equipment.
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills for mechanical and process issues.
• Strong leadership and team coordination abilities.
• High energy level, ability to multitask, establish priorities, work independently.
• Positive interpersonal skills including effective verbal and written communication.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and sensitivity to proprietary information.
• Using logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Active Listening — giving full attention to what others are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Critical Thinking — using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Coordination — adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.

Education and Experience

• Completion of a high school, or general equivalency diploma;
• Experience in Food Manufacturing preferred;
• Strong knowledge of meat manufacturing processes especially slicing and packaging operations and equipment;
• Excellent understanding of HACCP, GMP, and food safety regulations;
• Proven leadership and team management skills.

Physical Demands

• The employee is required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds.
• Able to stand for extended periods and perform repetitive tasks.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• This role requires working in a manufacturing environment with exposure to cold temperatures and raw meat products. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be exposed to moving mechanical parts.
• The noise level in the work environment can be moderate or loud when entering the plant.
• Employees are required to wear proper food-safe, steel toe shoes, hair net and beard net, nitrile gloves, frock, bump cap, hat, and proper hearing protection while working in certain areas.

Acknowledgements

The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.

Citterio USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, ancestry, color, religion, sex, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, medical condition, disability, veteran status, gender identity, or any other basis protected by law.

FLSA STATUS: FLSA EXEMPT – NOT OVERTIME ELIGIBLE

DESIGNATION: At Will Employee

UNION STATUS: NON-UNION