Production Lead | SQF Coordinator

Production Lead | SQF Coordinator

Location: Nashville, TN, US

The Production Lead | SQF Coordinator supports the Nashville Operations Group and reports to the site Plant Manager. This role combines production floor leadership with ownership of key Safety, Quality, and Food Safety programs, including SQF certification, PRPs, HACCP, production execution support, compliance coordination, and continuous improvement partnership with operations. The position also serves as the designated back-up to the Production Supervisor and is expected to provide frontline shift leadership and operational oversight in the supervisor's absence.

Supports the full production operation and coordinates shift flow in alignment with production priorities and supervisor direction. When the Production Supervisor is unavailable, serves as the acting shift lead and provides day-to-day floor leadership to maintain safe, efficient, and compliant operations. Ensures the safety and security of employees, equipment, and facilities during the designated shift by enforcing all safety, quality, packaging, GMP, sanitation, and plant security procedures. Maintains a clean and safe workplace in accordance with 5S standards, standard operating procedures (SOPs), Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), and food safety requirements. Administers the site SQF program, including audit readiness, corrective actions, follow-up to audit observations, and maintenance of Quality and Food Safety systems and prerequisite programs. Conducts HACCP activities, routine GMP inspections, calibration support, internal audits, lab testing, and other monitoring procedures critical to producing safe, quality food and ensuring product remains within specification. Completes, reviews, and verifies the accuracy of shift paperwork, quality control documentation, production records, downtime tracking, and other required monitoring and reporting documents. Monitors real-time production performance across all lines and drives achievement of output, OEE, downtime reduction, and overall shift targets through proactive issue resolution, process adjustments, and continuous improvement. Coordinates shift schedules, labor allocation, startups, shutdowns, changeovers, break and lunch rotations, workload distribution, and staffing coverage, and serves as back-up support for absent employees as needed to maintain production flow. Serves as the floor lead by conducting shift huddles, supporting shift handoffs, communicating daily with other Shift Leads and the Production Supervisor, and acting as the primary leadership contact for operators during periods when the Production Supervisor is absent. Coordinates training and orientation for new and existing employees, coaches team members on performance expectations and standard work, and supports execution of shift direction, work assignments, and performance follow-up when serving as back-up to the Production Supervisor. Provides frontline troubleshooting support by identifying equipment or process issues, performing operational adjustments and calibrations, resolving stoppages, and coordinating escalations with Maintenance to minimize downtime. Reports all safety, quality, and production incidents, supports investigations and root cause analysis, and helps implement and verify effective corrective and preventive actions. Administers document and record control, CAPA tracking, complaint and incident investigations, trend analysis, and verification of corrective and preventive action effectiveness. Coordinates the site pest control program, partners with Supplier Quality and site stakeholders on documentation changes, and prepares management review inputs including issues, objectives, initiatives, and KPI reporting. Leads by example to promote teamwork, accountability, compliance, and a high-performance work environment across the shift.

Work Experience: 3-5 years of experience in production line operations, maintenance operations, and/or quality and food safety systems in a manufacturing environment. HACCP and SQF (or other GFSI) training, with experience supporting audits, maintaining program requirements, and leading or supporting internal audits. Experience supporting multiple packaging lines preferred, including startup, shutdown, staffing coordination, and production flow support. Working knowledge of QA/QC practices, document and record control, CAPA systems, PLC-based production reporting systems, and Microsoft Office applications. Strong troubleshooting skills in operational and mechanical systems, including the ability to identify issues, support calibrations, and coordinate effective resolution of equipment or process stoppages. Experience investigating complaints, incidents, and near misses; completing root cause analysis; and implementing effective corrective and preventive actions. Working knowledge of OSHA/EHS fundamentals in manufacturing, including HazCom, LOTO, PPE, safety inspections, and food safety compliance requirements. Forklift certification required. Demonstrated ability to adapt to change, respond to operational challenges in a positive and professional manner, and communicate effectively across production, quality, and leadership team.

Education Requirements: At least 1 year of applicable professional experience working with quality & food safety systems. OSHA 30 (preferred). Associate degree in a related field from an accredited college or university (preferred).

Supervisory Responsibility: No direct supervisory responsibility; however, this role serves as designated back-up coverage for the Production Supervisor and may provide acting shift leadership in the supervisor's absence.

Essential Capabilities (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Attributes): Quality/Food Safety: Applies food industry quality systems and testing practices; understands regulatory/compliance requirements. Integrity & Accountability: Follows policies, meets commitments, and owns outcomes. Communication: Communicates clearly and effectively with cross-functional stakeholders. Problem Solving: Investigates issues objectively; performs root cause analysis; drives corrective/preventive actions. Customer Orientation: Delivers responsive, high-quality internal/external customer support. Technology: Learns and uses common business/quality applications to optimize systems and reporting.

Location: Nashville