Production Lead
The Production Lead oversees daily production activities on the plant floor to ensure safe, consistent, and high-quality manufacturing of food products. This role coordinates a production team, supports supervisors, and ensures operational targets for safety, quality, and efficiency are met. The Production Lead acts as the first point of contact for troubleshooting, training, and workflow coordination.
Operations and Production:
- Coordinate daily production activities to meet schedules, output goals, and quality standards
- Monitor equipment operation and collaborate with maintenance for timely repairs or adjustments
- Ensure all batch records, production logs, and documentation are completed accurately and on time
- Assist in line startups, changeovers, shutdowns, and troubleshooting process issues
Leadership and Team Support:
- Provide direction, guidance, and coaching to production employees throughout the shift
- Support onboarding and training of new employees, ensuring understanding of SOPs, GMPs, and safety requirements
- Serve as the communication link between operators and supervisors regarding performance, staffing, and process changes
- Promote a positive, team-focused environment with an emphasis on accountability and continuous improvement
Food Safety and Quality:
- Enforce Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), allergen control programs, and sanitation standards
- Monitor product quality and partner with QA when deviations occur
- Ensure employees follow hygiene, handwashing, and contamination-prevention protocols
- Participate in internal audits and support corrective actions when needed
Safety and Compliance:
- Ensure all employees follow plant safety rules, PPE requirements, and safe work practices
- Conduct or support safety training, toolbox talks, and incident reporting
- Identify hazards and contribute to risk-reduction or process-improvement initiatives
Continuous Improvement:
- Recommend and support process improvements for throughput, waste reduction, ergonomics, and reliability
- Participate in lean/kaizen projects, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions
- Help maintain 5S and clean, organized work areas
Qualifications
Required:
- Experience in food manufacturing or related production environment
- Working knowledge of GMPs, food safety standards, and OSHA safety practices
- Ability to lead teams, resolve conflicts, and communicate clearly across departments
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Basic computer skills including ERP systems and Microsoft Office
Preferred:
- Prior experience in a lead, trainer, or acting lead role
- Experience with continuous improvement tools such as Lean, Six Sigma, and 5S
- Understanding of mechanical processes or basic troubleshooting skills
- Bilingual in Spanish
Work Environment:
- Fast-paced food manufacturing environment with exposure to variable temperatures, wet floors, and equipment noise
- Standing, walking, lifting up to 50 lbs, bending, and repetitive tasks required
- Must be able to work assigned shifts, weekends, and overtime as needed