Production Line Lead

JOB SUMMARY: The Line Lead provides essential guidance, leadership and oversight of specific production lines. Line Leads must understand all aspects of the assigned production line and will be responsible for guiding partners and material resources towards safety, quality and throughput goals. Working in a team-oriented environment, Leads must help instill and enforce team accountability and trust and create a positive and safe work environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Correct and report food safety and quality issues and ensure partners follow established SOPs and GMPs
• Model safe behavior, coach and correct the behavior of others, to ensure a safe production environment
• Communicate with Supervisor, Quality and/or Business Unit Leader regarding any out-of-specification or questionable product
• Achieve schedule attainment and productivity/throughput metrics on assigned line
• Ensure finished goods meet or exceed customer specifications and regulatory requirements and date codes printed on or applied to containers reflect proper product identification
• Communicate with production supervisors to identify daily goals and responsibilities
• Communicate with partners regarding key metrics, results and opportunities, ensuring daily activities align with strategic goals
• Prepare shift documentation and present to supervisor in timely manner
• Ensure operators complete all required shift documentation accurately and timely
• Assist operators in adjusting machine settings (e.g., weight settings, line speed, printers, etc.)
• Coordinate with maintenance technicians as needed to facilitate equipment repairs or adjustments
• Learn and be able to perform most positions on assigned production line
• Coach and develop team members to achieve required levels of performance
• Coordinate, deliver and document partner training on assigned production line; responsible for ensuring new partners are progressing toward full competency
• Monitor partner performance and provide regular input to Supervisor and escalate serious or unresolved performance issues to Supervisor
• Responsible for ensuring daily housekeeping duties are completed thoroughly and correctly
• Monitor and correct deviations from standards and base settings, report to supervisor on changes made and reasons why
• Lead and participate in trials, start-ups, shut-downs, changeovers and cleans, to drive efficiency and on-time completion
• Perform sanitation inspection of line prior to start-up or changeover and correct any deficiencies
• Ensure line-related SOPs and job aides are utilized and up-to-date
• Responsible for ensuring partners keep work areas stocked with necessary supplies and equipment
• Champions continuous improvement by identifying opportunities in the production process and implementing solutions to achieve targets
• Coordinate break times and the distribution of labor on the production line

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• High School diploma or equivalent required
• Experience operating and maintaining complex machines; food manufacturing experience preferred
• The ability to understand and align with the goals and objectives of a daily food production environment
• Must be able to read and write English, understand and perform basic mathematical calculations and daily record keeping requirements
• Experience delivering training or supporting the transfer of technical knowledge to others
• Proficiency with MS Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook
• Strong mechanical aptitude and the ability to assemble, disassemble and trouble-shoot complex machines and processes
• Ability to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a live production environment
• Ability to operate machines in a safe manner
• Ability to coach and motivate others towards specific production goals
• Ability to plan and organize teams around specific tasks, activities or processes
• Ability to learn and adhere to company standards including, but not limited to, production practices, safety practices, SOPs, GMPs, employee handbook, etc.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL FACTORS:

• Positions require standing, repetitive movement, bending and twisting, and using hands to handle objects; exposure to sustained noise levels; exposure to a variety of food allergens (e.g., gluten, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, milk); working in very hot temperatures; exposure to hazards such as machinery, slippery floors, ladders and powered industrial vehicles. May be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Must be able to safely move around in the production area (under, over and around production line equipment) and be able to pick up, lift, stack and/or move various objects and containers of up to seventy (70) pounds
• Ability to stand for 90% of shift, sometimes up to 12 hours.

Must be available for all shifts, including nights, weekends, some holidays, and occasional overtime.

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