Packaging Lead

Hickory Harvest Foods, located in Akron, OH, is a 3rd generation family owned business. Hickory Harvest Foods is a leading provider of products to retailers in the multi-billion dollar and growing healthy snacks sector.

SUMMARY: This position is responsible for troubleshooting issues, driving continuous improvement of an assigned packaging line(s), provide necessary training and completing employee assessments for job certification. Ensure efficient production and compliance with all company quality, safety, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) policies and procedures. Drive continuous improvement of the production and maintenance operating systems to support employee and food safety, product quality, asset effectiveness, and workplace organization. As needed, ensure all daily manufacturing documents are completed and accurate, reports line performance at production and shift review meetings, and escalates quality/GMP compliance issues or concerns.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Review production schedule and discuss upcoming jobs with team, delegate tasks to members of the team based on ability and training.
• Ensure lines are operating within the controls established (ie Startup and Setup, PCS, Process Owner Inspections and Validations, and Centerline Checklist).
• Ensure lines are set up and running to effective standard operating procedures (SOPs) to support employee and food safety, product quality, asset effectiveness, and workplace organization.
• Complete employee qualification and/or training assessments.
• Verify all procedures are being followed
• Assist in cross training team members
• Troubleshoot resultant problems, drive improvements to Controls established, SOPs and training manuals, and coach employees on the resolutions.
• Ensure employee behaviors are always conducive to achieving excellent results through ownership and empowerment (ie loss elimination, utilizing opportunity log, etc)
• Provide support for production personnel to achieve their specific goals and objectives via continuous process improvement and alignment with the company’s values.
• Report to supervisor actions taken, results achieved and concerns / issues not resolved.
• Maintain and enforce all standards, GMPs, SSOPs, etc.
• Ensure operators do not stop and step in to assist, as needed. It is an important role to monitor downtime and assist in increasing uptime throughout the production process.
• As needed, attend production and shift review meetings, ensure all daily manufacturing documents are completed an accurate.
• As needed, effectively and efficiently set up, operate, and changeover machines.
• Label printing, BOM printing and staging runs. BOM certification/entry into ERP system post runs
• Other projects, as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required. Bachelors or Associates Degree in manufacturing or related field preferred.

Experience:

• A minimum of 3 years’ experience operating industrial machines, preferably food packaging/processing equipment. Experience achieving production targets, directing production line accountability, and training people required.

Skills:

· Good mechanical aptitude to operate and troubleshoot manufacturing equipment.

· Demonstrable training skills.

· Ability to quickly learn and comply with company safety, quality, GMP, and other required policies and procedures.

· Ability to work weekends and/or shift work (flexible to switch between 1st, 2nd or 3rd shift according to production schedule) with a strong work ethic and proven leadership skills.

· A self-motivated individual that is able to direct others.

· Excellent communication, interpersonal, problem solving, organizational, and follow through skills.

· Strong PC skills with MS office programs.

RELATIONSHIPS:

· Reports to the Production Supervisor.

· Works closely with quality, maintenance, warehouse, sanitation, and human resources.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, reach, stretch, stoop, bend, and use hands and fingers. This position requires the employee to be able to read, write, and communicate orally in English. In addition, the employee must be able to hear and have color vision.

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Production Lead

Job Responsibilities, Priority List:

1. Rotate and direct team for appropriate staffing throughout production

2. Hold team accountable – ensure lines are running at standard rates

3. Hold team accountable – ensure operators are meeting quality expectations

4. Troubleshoot and resolve machine issues, as needed

5. Train all employees on role and expectations

6. Communicate challenges experienced, needs, and recommendations for improved processes with supervisor, maintenance, other shifts

Job Type: Full-time

Expected hours: No less than 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person