POSITION SUMMARY:

The Production Lead is a hands-on leadership role that is critical in leading the Production Team to contribute to the highest levels of Safety, Quality and Performance standards within the manufacturing environment. The Production Lead is cross-trained in multiple tasks to increase contributions to the organization, enhance production flexibility and readiness, while also providing job enrichment and growth opportunities to incumbents. Production Lead assists and supports the Production Supervisor to ensure timely and accurate production in accordance processes, procedures, and related controls to ensure timely and accurate production in accordance with customer specifications and company standards. This role supports the supervisor by coaching production associates serving as an expert for production processes and procedures as well as a trainer for new employees and refresher training.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Personal and Work Environment SAFETY is achieved through:

• Commitment to follow all safety procedures, GMP’s, performs risk assessments prior to commencing an unfamiliar task, seek to identify and implement proactive safety improvements, and use PPE when required such as: chemical handling, hearing protection, lock-out tag-out, harnesses, respiratory masks, etc.
• Absolute adherence to safety procedures.
• Use, inspection, and care of vehicles, equipment, and tools to include test equipment, lab equipment, industrial trucks, and production equipment.
• Ability to demonstrate proper Safety Techniques to members as well as to train members on all proper Safety Protocol.
• Must insure all members complete their required Safety trainings on time and in full.
• Must be able to enter incidents and near misses into Richelieu Foods Safety data base.
• Must be able to investigate, with help from Leadership, any Safety incident and or Near Miss.
• Ability to perform LOTO (employee level) on related production equipment.

Personal and Work Environment QUALITY is achieved through:

• Ability to complete and follow internal Out of Specification procedures and policies.
• Ability to identify and correct Quality problems and to effectively communicate when there are observations involving Quality specifications.
• Ability to train new members on the importance of quality.
• Must have experience working with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
• Must have experience with quality and hygiene requirements common in food manufacturing.

The highest levels of PRODUCTION and EFFICIENCY are achieved through passionate commitment and proactive ownership. People in this key role:

• Verifies all lot and item numbers on materials being brought to line.
• Reads and tracks production schedules; provides recommendations for changes.
• Completes line production and quality paperwork.
• Identifies over usage of materials and assists in reduction of waste ingredient materials.
• Demonstrates basic set up and operational knowledge of all line-related equipment.
• Ensures line run rules (including staffing to line maps), line equipment settings and run rates are being followed.
• Assists Maintenance in the diagnosis and repair of production equipment.
• Promotes safe work behaviors in other employees and acts as safety team leader.
• Provides assistance and direction to line employees to maximize labor utilization.
• Reports any violations of company policy to management personnel.
• Assists the Supervisor with staffing and training needs of crew members.
• Supports Supervisor with execution of their job duties.
• Can complete EOS reporting per all guidelines established.
• Communicates with Supervisor and other Line Leads during shift operations and shift changeovers.
• Notifies Supervisor of all down times.
• Follows and enforces all Food Safety PPE/GMP requirements and reports any concerns.
• Notifies Supervisor or Lead when leaving line and why.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

REQUIREMENTS to help ensure success include:

To qualify for this position, an individual must possess any combination of experience and education that would likely produce the desired job outcomes. Specific requirements include:

• High school diploma; 2 year technical degree in a related field a plus.
• Minimum of 2 years of Manufacturing experience required.
• Advanced computer competency required including typing, web browser, and Microsoft Office; Advanced competency in utilizing Tablets and or iPads.
• Advanced critical thinking and troubleshooting skills used to lead shift to complete Manufacturing tasks safely.
• Experience in leadership role highly desired; demonstration of excellent interpersonal skills including communication, conflict resolution, and development of people; willingness to seek training and/or continuing education toward development of leadership abilities.
• Ability to read, write and speak English in order to communicate effectively with team members within and external departments. Spanish skills desired.
• A positive, proactive demeanor resulting in superior teamwork and collaboration with team members while demonstrating a commitment to excellence.

• Must be able to communicate by using and hearing 2-way radio, Microsoft Teams, email and phone calls.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written required.
• Strong organizational skills required.
• Ability to lead fairly, firmly and consistently.
• Ability to interact and to manage conflict in stressful situations while maintaining composure and perspective.
• The ability to identify, define, and solve problems, and to coach production employees to do the same.
• Strong initiative and the ability to work with others to achieve desired results. A sense of accountability for results.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work cooperatively and maintain a professional working relationship with employees.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIROMENTAL FACTORS:

• Must be able to lift 70 pounds.
• Must be able to ascend and descend stairs, ladders, and gangways on a frequent basis and be able to work while standing on a continuous basis.
• Ability to enter confined spaces, following all safety procedures, while in performance of job duties.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts.
• The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock; and vibration.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. The work environment is cold (30 to 35 degrees) on the manufacturing floor.
• The Production Lead will spend 80%-90% of their time on the factory floor.

Physical Demands

Approvals

Note

This job description is not intended, nor should it be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, or working conditions associated with the job. It is intended only to be a general description of the essential functions common to positions of this type.

We offer a great opportunity with a comprehensive salary and benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, short-term disability, 401K with company match, and vacation.

Richelieu Foods, Inc. is a leading national private label and contract packing food manufacturer focused on frozen pizza, salad dressing, and BBQ sauce product categories. We have four manufacturing facilities located in OH, IL, IA, and WI. We provide products to many national retailers, wholesalers, distributors, club and mass stores, as well as industrial accounts including other food manufacturers.

This position is based out of our Beaver Dam, WI location.