Production Lead

Production Lead 3rd shift $26/hr Job Description The Production Lead is responsible for the day-to-day operations of an assigned night shift in a food manufacturing facility. Working closely with the Plant Production Supervisor, this role oversees hourly and temporary production personnel, ensures efficient machine operation, and maintains strict adherence to plant and food safety standards. The Production Lead trains, coaches, and supports team members, drives continuous improvement, and upholds Good Manufacturing Practices, safety, quality, customer service, and team processes throughout the shift. Responsibilities Oversee the operations of the assigned night shift, coordinating work activities for hourly and temporary employees to ensure efficient production. Support effective equipment operation, including basic machine troubleshooting, and reassign team members as needed to meet production demands. Organize the day-to-day operations of the shift, including assigning sanitation duties and ensuring production areas are properly staffed. Train, coach, and support team members by facilitating brief team meetings, conducting work assessments, and assigning or completing cross-training activities so personnel can work across production areas. Confer and collaborate with other production leads to coordinate operations and activities within and between work areas for smooth workflow. Ensure all required shift paperwork is completed accurately and promptly. Enforce company policies, safety standards, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and HACCP requirements on the production floor. Oversee the maintenance of clean and sanitary conditions in accordance with GMP standards in all relevant production and packaging areas. Inspect materials, products, and equipment to detect and document defects, malfunctions, or issues, and elevate or resolve them as appropriate. Confirm production orders in SAP when needed, ensuring accurate documentation and production tracking. Routinely suggest and implement improvements in assigned areas to support lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives. Participate in process improvement training, safety training, lean teams, and other committee work to enhance production performance and safety culture. Assist with monitoring and achieving production KPIs and support overall production management objectives. Take responsibility for assigned duties and perform other tasks as directed by the Production Supervisor in a timely and professional manner. Promote a culture of safety, teamwork, and effective communication across the shift, including packaging, packing, picking, and general operations. Essential Skills High school diploma or equivalent. Minimum of two years of supervisory experience in a food manufacturing environment. Demonstrated experience leading production teams and supervising hourly personnel in a manufacturing setting. Hands-on experience with GMP in a food production environment, including maintaining sanitary conditions and enforcing GMP standards. Knowledge of HACCP principles and ability to enforce related food safety requirements. Experience with production supervision, general production operations, and machine operating in a manufacturing environment. Strong leadership and crew-leading skills, including the ability to coach, develop, and evaluate team members. Proficient English language skills, both written and oral, to communicate clearly with team members and supervisors. Computer proficiency with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Ability to support and contribute to lean manufacturing, process improvement, and continuous improvement activities. Strong safety awareness and ability to enforce safety standards on the production floor. Effective communication skills for coordinating operations, leading brief team meetings, and sharing relevant information. Teamwork and cooperation, with a genuine intention to work collaboratively and be an active part of a team. Flexibility, self-control, and self-confidence, with the ability to adapt to and work effectively in a variety of situations and with diverse individuals or groups. Interpersonal understanding and relationship-building skills, including the ability to listen and understand others. Initiative and a preference for taking action before being requested. Demonstrated intent and ability to develop others, fostering learning and growth among employees. Additional Skills & Qualifications Associates degree preferred. Experience working in a chocolate or confectionery production environment is beneficial. Experience assisting with production KPIs and overall production management. Background in packaging, packing, and picking operations within manufacturing. Familiarity with SAP or similar ERP systems, including confirming production orders. Experience participating in lean teams, safety committees, or other cross-functional improvement groups. Strong leadership communication skills, including the ability to conduct briefings and provide clear direction. Exposure to continuous improvement methodologies and lean manufacturing tools. Ability to work effectively on a night shift schedule from Sunday to Thursday, 10:00 pm to 6:30 am. Why Work Here? Employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, paid time off for 12 holidays, generous PTO, and an additional day off to celebrate their birthday. The organization fosters workplace flexibility and an inclusive environment where diversity is embraced and employee resource groups actively support equity and belonging. Team members have opportunities for personal and professional growth within a culture that values development and internal career progression. The company is committed to sustainability, working to make sustainable practices the norm through initiatives focused on supporting farmers, eliminating child labor, achieving carbon and forest-positive operations, and creating 100% sustainable ingredients in its products. Work Environment This role is based in a chocolate factory operating in a hot, full GMP environment where strict food safety and sanitation standards apply. The Production Lead works on the night shift from Sunday to Thursday, 10:00 pm to 6:30 am, overseeing production, packaging, and related operations on the manufacturing floor. The environment requires adherence to GMP and HACCP protocols, use of appropriate personal protective equipment, and compliance with established safety procedures. Work involves close interaction with production machinery and equipment, collaboration with hourly and temporary employees, and active participation in process improvement and safety initiatives in a fast-paced, food manufacturing setting. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chicago, IL. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $26.00 - $26.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & visionCritical Illness, Accident, and Hospital401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions availableLife Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)Short and long-term disabilityHealth Spending Account (HSA)Transportation benefitsEmployee Assistance ProgramTime Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chicago, IL. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Nov 5, 2026. Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Chicago,IL. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr Aerotek