Production Lead

Production Lead Food Manufacturing The Production Lead plays a critical role in daily food manufacturing operations, ensuring human safety, food safety, GMP compliance, and consistent product quality. This position leads a small production team, coordinates work orders and packaging specifications, operates and monitors production equipment, and maintains accurate production and inventory records. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, demonstrates strong leadership, and maintains a high standard of safety and sanitation. Key Responsibilities Lead and monitor production workers to ensure safe, efficient, high-quality food manufacturing Review work orders and packaging specifications to verify correct materials, labels, and product requirements Enforce safety rules and escalate issues beyond crew or supervisor resolution Operate handheld scanners to manage manufacturing software and maintain accurate inventory transactions Reconcile staging areas using Mapics RF tools to ensure accurate material flow Use computers to run automated reports, print documents, and enter work order requests Schedule and monitor crew breaks to maintain production flow Operate production equipment safely and ensure crew compliance with safety and GMP policies Assign and perform daily housekeeping and sanitation tasks according to GMP standards Monitor product quality, complete required documentation, and report production data Update communication boards and conduct shift-change meetings for seamless transitions Perform and assign all required QC testing during the shift Identify bottlenecks, product loss, and inefficiencies and take corrective action Ensure all HACCP, CQP, and allergen procedures are followed and documented Train and cross-train crew members to build a flexible, capable production team Use basic math skillsincluding fractionsto calculate ingredient quantities for partial batches Support safety, quality, cost, delivery, and morale objectives through work order requests Perform additional duties as needed to support production goals Essential Skills & Qualifications 13 years of production, manufacturing, or supervisory experience Experience leading small teams in a manufacturing or general labor environment Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating instructions, procedure manuals, and manufacturing orders Strong written communication skills for reports and documentation Solid math skills: whole numbers, fractions, decimals, rates, ratios, percentages, and graph interpretation Ability to follow written, oral, or diagram instructions Ability to identify production issues and escalate appropriately Comfort using handheld scanners and manufacturing software Ability to operate production equipment safely and follow GMP guidelines Strong attention to detail in quality monitoring and documentation Preferred Qualifications Experience in food manufacturing or GMP-regulated environments Familiarity with Mapics RF tools or similar inventory systems Experience performing or overseeing quality control testing Ability to lead, train, and cross-train production teams Strong organizational skills for scheduling, documentation, and shift transitions Comfort working early-morning or late-evening shifts in a fast-paced setting Ability to participate in safety and quality programs and support ongoing improvements Why You'll Love Working Here You'll join a growing, supportive operation that invests in its people and promotes from within. This role offers hands-on training, clear advancement opportunities, and the chance to grow from leading a small production room to broader floor leadership responsibilities. The environment is close-knit, team-focused, and committed to continuous improvement. Your contributions will be recognized, and strong performance leads to expanded opportunities. Work Environment This position is located in a food manufacturing facility where strict adherence to GMP, safety, and sanitation protocols is required. Shift: 1st shift, MondayThursday, 3:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m. and 2nd shift, MondayThursday, 2:00 p.m. 12:30 a.m. Facility includes eight production rooms (24 people per line) and four packaging rooms Team members must wear required PPE: uniform, hair net, beard net (if applicable), and safety shoes Employees must wash and sanitize hands and boots before entering the production floor and each room Fast-paced, hands-on environment focused on safety, sanitation, and consistent product quality Job Type & Location: This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Elk Grove Village, IL. Pay and Benefits: The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $24.00/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 job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type: This is a fully onsite position in Elk Grove Village, IL. Application Deadline: This position is anticipated to close on Oct 2, 2026.