What are the responsibilities and job description for the Production Lead position at FreeBird Chicken?
Basic Purpose
The Department Lead is responsible for overseeing daily operations within the department to ensure safe, efficient, and sanitary handling of products. This role ensures compliance with company policies, customer specifications, and regulatory requirements while meeting production targets and maintaining quality standards.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Assign workstations, rotations, and tasks in a fair and consistent manner to meet production schedules.
- Coordinate product flow and processing with other departments to fulfill production orders.
- Provide relief for production line employees during unplanned breaks (e.g., restroom).
- Monitor employee performance, break schedules, PPE compliance, and adherence to GMP standards; report concerns to management.
- Maintain open communication with the Supervisor to ensure production and supply needs are met.
- Prepare and handle product as it progresses along the production line.
- Train employees on department requirements, personally or by pairing them with experienced staff; follow up to ensure adequate progress.
- Enforce all department-specific programs (e.g., tool control, pen, label protocols).
- Maintain quality, production, sanitation, food safety, and employee safety standards in alignment with company guidelines.
- Comply with company and government regulations to ensure fair and unbiased treatment of employees.
- Manage department resources efficiently to meet productivity standards.
- Ensure all processes and products meet GMP requirements, customer specifications, and the company’s HACCP plan.
- Immediately escalate employee relations issues—including disciplinary matters, performance concerns, and injury reports—to management.
- Conduct HACCP checks on the production line as required.
- Keep accurate daily rosters and submit attendance within 30 minutes of shift start.
- Maintain a clean and organized work area at all times.
- Perform additional duties as assigned to support business objectives.
Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Strong ability to coordinate multiple tasks in a fast-paced production environment.
- Knowledge of poultry processing, GMPs, and HACCP requirements.
- High attention to detail and ability to adhere to strict standards.
- Effective communication skills for interaction at all levels of the organization.
- Team-oriented with the ability to follow instructions and adapt to changing duties.
- Manual dexterity for repetitive arm, hand, and wrist motions; fine motor skills for tool use.
- Ability to frequently reach at shoulder height and regularly stand, walk, and perform repetitive movements.
- Physical ability to lift, push, or pull 10–50 lbs. regularly.
- Current pallet jack operator’s license (or ability to obtain).
- Proficient in the use of knives, scissors, and similar hand tools.
Physical Demands
- Standing: 70%
- Walking: 30%
- Sitting: 0%
- Requires near vision (clarity at 20 inches or less), speaking, and hearing for ordinary conversation.
Work Environment
- Exposure to fluorescent lighting.
- Exposure to animal waste, by-products, and feathers.
- Frequent work on wet production floors.
This role is classified as safety-sensitive. Employees must remain alert, focused, and free from any impairment that could compromise safety, product integrity, or operational performance.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $17.34 per hour
Expected hours: No less than 40 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Vision insurance
Shift availability:
- Day Shift (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Fredericksburg, PA 17026 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Fredericksburg, PA 17026: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
Salary : $17