Production Lead - 1st Shift- Sun-Tues, Every other Wed 6am-6:30p

Job Title: Production Lead
Reports to: Production Supervisor

The ideal candidate will possess and live by Thrive Freeze Dry core values.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT ● ACCOUNTABILITY ● INTEGRITY ● PERSONAL GROWTH AND WELLNESS ● TEAMWORK ● WORK – LIFE BALANCE

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:  Supervises production team members in a freeze-dried manufacturing or retail packaging environment: plans and assigns work, implements policies and procedures, and recommends improvements in production methods, equipment, operating procedures and working conditions. Ensures effective employee relations by providing employee coaching and development and participating in making employment decisions. Balances quality, productivity, cost, safety and morale to achieve positive results in all areas. Manages departmental performance measures, including visual controls, maintaining QC paperwork and providing regular progress reports to supervisor.

COMPETENCIES: 
Living Thrive Values Demonstrates the characteristics and behaviors of an individual who is living Thrive's values. Thrive's values are accountability, continuous improvement, integrity, personal growth and wellness, teamwork, and work-life balance.

Attendance: Attendance is essential in demonstrating dependability. A reliable team member is on time for all scheduled shifts and is present as scheduled. Any team member with two or more active steps of discipline for attendance does not meet expectations of position.
Performance Demonstrates the skills and abilities to perform his or her job. Any team member with two or more active steps of discipline for any combination of disciplinary actions does not meet expectations of position.
Safety Good judgement is demonstrated at all times to maintain a safe work environment. Any team member with two or more active steps of discipline for safety related incidents does not meet expectations of position.
Training Current training is an indication of job preparedness from a safety, job skills, and food safety perspective. An employee that has completed all training expectations throughout the year as it pertains to his or her job requirements demonstrates that he or she meets the expectations of his or her position. A person that has past due trainings does not meet the expectations of his or her position.

SKILLS: 
Attention to Detail Completes tasks efficiently and accurately while paying close attention to detail.
Change Management Is responsible for constructing, developing, and launching new ideas while training others on the best practices.
Communication Possesses strong communication skills and can explain complex concepts in ways everyone can understand. Is often seen as having strong interpersonal skills.
Communication Escalation Escalates issues to manager or other management as needed.
Critical Thinking Forms good judgement when evaluating situations and reacting accordingly.
Cross-train Seek to gain and pass knowledge amongst team members by training to skills and tasks.
Documentation Maintain proper documentation and records.
Emotional Intelligence Has strong demonstrated skills of self-management, self-awareness, social awareness, and relationship management in our work environment.
Employee Relations Provides employee coaching and development. Makes employment decisions. Resolves employee issues through problem resolution.
Microsoft Office Ability to use all MS applications such as Excel, Power Point, Outlook and Word.
Process and Policies Develop and document processes and policies to maintain and strengthen internal controls.
Productivity Balances quality, productivity, cost, safety and morale to achieve positive results in all areas. Works to continuously improve in all areas.
Relationships Works with all teams to maintain effective relationships.
Safety Culture Prioritize a culture of safety and ensure ongoing communication of safety related priorities, champion process improvements with a focus on elimination of preventable workplace incidents.

REQUIREMENTS:  A demonstrated ability to lead people and get results through others. An ability to think ahead and plan over a 30-day time span and prepare action plans to achieve results. An ability to balance and achieve positive results in the areas of safety, quality, productivity, cost, and employee relations. The possession of quality orientation and attention to detail, problem analysis and resolution. In addition to, strong interpersonal and communication skills and an ability to manage multiple priorities.  

FOOD SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: 
•Place high priority on food safety, quality, and sanitation by understanding and executing Mercer Food’s food safety and sanitation policies and procedures.
•Hold self and others accountable to Mercer Foods food safety & sanitation guidelines and policies by communicating any food safety incident, observation, or opportunity to your leadership team or teammates.
•In the absence of Production Manager or Supervisor, serves as back up to ensure all food safety, quality objectives and SQF system requirements are met.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and frequent fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires the following percentages of time committed to physical activity: 20% or more sitting, 50% or more walking, and 50% or more standing. The job is performed under frequent temperature variations and in a food manufacturing production environment. Unrestricted visual and audio abilities are required for the safety of all employees. The ability to lift up to 40 lbs. is required.