Seasonal Wet Prep Lead

Position Summary

The Wet Prep Lead reports to the Production Supervisor and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Milling area. Key responsibilities include achieving productivity, efficiency, cost, quality, and safety objectives through individual and team contributions. The position requires developing and instructing employees, maintaining daily records, ensuring food safety, identifying and resolving process issues, teaching and training staff, monitoring equipment, communicating out-of-specification product, supervising sanitation, reporting equipment issues, managing knife sharpening, and performing other duties as assigned.

Position Responsibilities

• Develop and instruct employees on work assignments to ensure safety, quality, and production goals are met.
• Maintain daily dryer control sheets with accurate input and legible handwriting.
• Ensure Food Safety standards are met by performing required checks and documentation.
• Identify and communicate issues in the receiving and wet prep process and work to resolve in a timely manner.
• Teach and train all personnel in the safe and sanitary operation of the plant and equipment.
• Monitor operation and make recommendations allowing department to safely operate at maximum efficiency with a focus on quality.
• Regularly monitor and adjust equipment to ensure quality and quantity standards are met.
• Communicate any out of specification product to QA.
• Supervise and direct plant sanitation on wet prep and receiving areas.
• Report any employee performance issues to Production Supervisor.
• Inform Maintenance and/or Production Supervisor of any suspected machinery problems.
• Supervise and direct the knife sharpener on replacing and sharpening knives.
• Ensure process operators are performing blancher checks and making any adjustments that are needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalency desired
• 1 - 3 years’ experience in onion dehydration or a food industry environment
• 6 months experience in a leadership role preferred
• Knowledge of quality standards and sanitation procedures
• Knowledge of basic math and measurement principles
• Ability to work under pressure and make difficult decisions during critical situations
• Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers, management, and department leads
• Ability to become forklift, pallet jack, and scissor lift certified
• Ability to wear Personal protective equipment
• Capable of lifting up to 50 pounds consistently
• Capable of operating all equipment and machinery required of the job
• Strong team player – good communication, follow-up skills, attention to detail, and the ability to train others
• Available to work extended days and hours during the production season (approximately September through February)