Bakery - Area Lead Production

Join Ukrop's Homestyle Foods as an Area Lead and take ownership of a key section within our production facility. In this role at our Bakery Manufacturing facility in Richmond, Virginia, you'll lead a team of associates to ensure your area operates efficiently, safely, and in compliance with all food safety and quality standards. From coordinating schedules and materials to training team members and improving processes, you'll play a vital role in meeting production goals while supporting Ukrop's long-standing commitment to excellence.

Ukrop's Homestyle Foods: What Drives Us

We are a family-founded company with deep roots in the Richmond community. We value teammates who are Honest, Safe, Helpful, and Ingenuitive. We are committed to creating a workplace culture that reflects those values every day.

What It's Like to Be an Area Lead

As an Area Lead, you'll be at the heart of our production process-balancing leadership, hands-on problem solving, and communication. You'll guide your team through daily operations, ensuring production goals are achieved while maintaining a clean, safe, and compliant workspace. Collaboration and adaptability are key, as you'll work closely with management and other departments to address challenges and continuously improve performance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee an assigned production area consisting of 5–20 associates per shift.
• Ensure staffing levels are adequate to safely and efficiently meet production demands.
• Communicate regularly with shift management regarding production performance, training needs, and staffing concerns.
• Assist in scheduling for assigned manufacturing areas.
• Provide training, feedback, and process improvement recommendations.
• Ensure associates adhere to GMPs, GFSI, HACCP, sanitation, and safety procedures.
• Conduct pre-and post-operation inspections and address safety or quality issues.
• Prioritize order fulfillment and ensure raw materials and packaging are available.
• Ensure all products meet quality and food safety standards.
• Complete all required paperwork accurately, including sanitation, safety, and HACCP documentation.
• Support and uphold an accident-free culture; identify and report safety hazards.
• Assist HR and Safety teams in risk identification and accident prevention.
• Support compliance with SQF and FSMA standards throughout the plant.

Preferred Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum two (2) years of manufacturing supervision experience required.
• At least one (1) year of team leadership experience.
• Experience in a 24/7 or food manufacturing facility preferred.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, GMPs, SQF, and HACCP preferred.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Ability to guide, motivate, and develop team members to meet production goals.
• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills for coordination with teams and supervisors.
• Make sound operational decisions in fast-paced environments.
• Lead small groups to identify and resolve production challenges.
• Ensure accuracy in paperwork, processes, and safety compliance.
• Consistent attendance and reliable performance in leadership duties.

Working Conditions

• Work performed in both office and production environments (including cold/refrigerated areas).
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, and lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Use of office and production equipment required.
• Must follow all safety and GMP protocols.
• Flexible schedule required, including weekends and varying shifts.

Benefits

• Affordable healthcare upon eligibility
• Company-sponsored life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• 401(k) plan upon eligibility
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Birthday PTO
• Associate referral bonus
• Shift differential on eligible shifts
• Competitive pay and more

Ukrop's Homestyle Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer