Group Leader-1st Shift

Group Leader

Location: Gardner, MA

Pay: $19.00–$21.00 per hour

Schedule: Full-Time | 1st Shift 7:00am - 3:00pm

Lead the Team. Keep Production Moving.

Seaman Paper is a global manufacturer of sustainable specialty paper and packaging solutions. Family-owned and headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts, we've been manufacturing in Massachusetts since 1946 and continue to grow our operations around the world.

We're looking for a dependable and hands-on Group Leader to lead our Converting team. You'll help direct employees, coordinate daily production activities, and ensure the team has the people, materials, and information needed to meet production goals safely and efficiently.

This is a working leadership role. You'll spend time on the production floor, support employees directly, and step into production responsibilities when needed.

What You'll Do

• Lead and direct employees within the assigned production department.
• Assign employees to production functions based on staffing and production needs.
• Review the previous shift's production and determine remaining work for the current shift.
• Review production orders and identify staffing and material requirements.
• Verify item numbers, purchase orders, and production materials for accuracy.
• Verify finished materials, case weights, cases per skid, and other production information.
• Review and verify end-of-shift production paperwork, including crew size, hours worked, cases produced, and skids completed.
• Train and cross-train employees across departments.
• Provide direction, coaching, and performance feedback to team members.
• Step into production roles and operate equipment when needed.
• Rotate employees to provide break coverage.
• Report accidents, injuries, near misses, unsafe conditions, and personnel concerns to the Shift Supervisor.
• Support and enforce company safety procedures and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Promote a strong culture of safety, quality, and accountability.
• Represent the department on the Company Safety Committee as needed.
• Work independently while maintaining communication with the Shift Supervisor.
• Support production during varying shifts and overtime as required.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.
• Support other production activities and team needs as assigned.
  
  

Who We're Looking For

• Previous experience working in a manufacturing environment required.
• Previous leadership or lead experience preferred.
• Ability to direct and motivate employees while maintaining safety and production standards.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• Strong counting and basic math skills.
• Ability to accurately measure, count, weigh, and record production information.
• Ability to communicate clearly with employees and supervisors.
• Ability to provide direction, coaching, and feedback.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Comfortable working hands-on in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to operate a forklift and clamp truck safely and effectively.
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
  
  

Why Join Seaman Paper?

• Competitive pay — $19.00–$21.00 per hour.
• Leadership opportunity — Build your leadership experience while working directly with a production team.
• Hands-on work — Stay involved in daily production rather than managing from a desk.
• Career growth — Develop your leadership and manufacturing skills and pursue opportunities within the organization.
• Stable company — Join a family-owned organization with a long history of success.
• Meaningful work — Help produce sustainable paper and packaging products used by customers around the world.
• Team environment — Work alongside production, maintenance, quality, and supervisory teams.
• Comprehensive benefits — Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance, Company-Funded HRA Contributions, Company-Paid Life & Long-Term Disability Insurance, Flexible Spending & Dependent Care Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, and Supplemental Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Coverage.
  
  

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

This is a hands-on production leadership position. The role requires working throughout the manufacturing facility and regularly standing, walking, bending, turning, twisting, pushing, pulling, reaching, and climbing stairs.

The Position Requires The Ability To

• Stand and move throughout the production facility for extended periods.
• Bend, turn, twist, push, pull, and reach throughout the shift.
• Lift and move materials weighing up to 50 pounds, potentially on a frequent basis.
• Operate a forklift and clamp truck safely after completing required training and certification.
• Work around operating machinery and production equipment.
• Work varying shifts and overtime as production needs require.
  
  

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Pre-Employment Requirements

Following a conditional offer of employment, candidates will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening and a job-related physical examination. The physical examination will assess the candidate's ability to safely perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

All pre-employment screening will be conducted in accordance with applicable federal and Massachusetts laws and company policies.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Seaman Paper is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing a workplace where employment decisions are based on qualifications, skills, experience, and business needs.

Ready to Lead the Team?

If you're dependable, hands-on, and ready to take the next step in your manufacturing career, apply today and become part of the Seaman Paper team!

This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, or activities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time based on business needs.