Production Lead

POSITION SUMMARY 

 The Lead is responsible for overseeing a designated production area, ensuring safety, quality, and productivity standards are met. This role provides direction, coaching, and support to team members, communicates key operational information, monitors compliance with company policies and procedures, and collaborates with supervisors, QA, and other departments to maintain smooth operations and continuous improvement.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Oversee and drive production team performance by monitoring personnel and operations to ensure safety, quality, and productivity standards (LP) are met; track and report real-time KPIs, analyze performance trends to identify gaps and improvement opportunities
• Ensure all personnel adhere to lock-out/tag-out procedures, use of personal protective equipment, and other defined safety protocols to maintain a safe work environment.
• Own safety and risk management in the production area, proactively identifying hazards and ensuring corrective actions are implemented.
• Understand and follow all emergency procedures, responding appropriately to ensure the safety of team members and the facility.
• Rotate team members as needed to ensure ergonomic safety, reduce fatigue, and maintain a healthy and safe work environment.
• Own product quality and food safety for the production area by proactively identifying risks, monitoring compliance with standards, and leading corrective and preventative actions to ensure safe, high-quality finished products.
• Maintain a clean and organized department in compliance with SQF standards, ensuring proper hygiene and preventing any risk of cross-contamination.
• Maintain accountability for all tools and equipment within the production area, ensuring they are properly stored, maintained, and available for daily operations.
• Monitor and assist the supervisor in implementing and enforcing cost-saving measures, including tracking and reducing product and material waste.
• Provide onboarding and training to new employees to ensure they perform job responsibilities safely and effectively. 
• Assist the supervisor in evaluating team performance, providing feedback, and addressing areas for improvement.
• Learn to operate and adjust production equipment to provide basic knowledge and support for the team.
• Develop and coach operators to maximize efficiency, skill development, and accountability within the production area.
• Provide clear direction to employees on daily tasks and production priorities, escalating concerns, performance issues, or operational needs to the Supervisor as appropriate. 
• Ensure compliance with all Critical Control Points (CCPs) by understanding and enforcing monitoring procedures, critical limits, and corrective actions; verifying all checks are completed accurately and on time; training and coaching team members on proper execution; and promptly addressing, documenting, and escalating any deviations.
• Ensure accuracy and compliance of all production documentation by reviewing and verifying paperwork for completeness and real-time execution; maintaining audit-ready records that meet SQF standards; and reinforcing team accountability for proper documentation and procedural adherence.
• Make operational decisions in real time to maintain production flow, minimize downtime, and optimize resources.
• Lead problem-solving efforts for Mechanical and Operational Downtime with support from Maintenance and your supervisor
• Consistently follow, monitor, and report timekeeping for self and assigned staff in accordance with company policy, ensuring compliance with scheduled breaks and lunches and preventing any 5th-hour violations.
• Support production line changeovers and collaborate with support departments to ensure smooth and efficient transitions.
• Effectively communicate key information to the next shift, including safety, quality, downtime, mechanical repairs, schedule attainment, and priorities, to maintain smooth and continuous operations.
• Maintain proper staffing levels for the designated production line; monitor daily headcount and communicate any attendance or staffing concerns to HR and the Supervisor.
• Understand SOPs and work instructions relevant to the assigned work area, ensuring team members consistently follow established processes and standards.
• Allocate and utilize team members effectively to meet hourly production goals, maintain schedule adherence, and ensure overall operational efficiency.
• Perform other job-related projects, duties, and assignments as directed by leadership and management.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• High School Diploma / GED 

Experience:

• Food production experience. 
• Excellent communication skills (written & verbal).
• Able to fluently speak, write, and read in English
• Excellent problem-solving and conflict resolution skills. 
• Ability to motivate others to meet company and personal goals.

Physical Requirements

•  This role requires frequent presence on the production floor and may involve exposure to noise, temperature fluctuations, and other manufacturing conditions.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Requires the ability to walk, stand, bend, stoop, and reach.
• Visual acuity requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and depth perception, particularly for work with computers and troubleshooting equipment.