Department Lead (1st shift)

Job Description

Job Description

Palmer Candy is looking for a Department Lead   at our Bluff St location.

1st shift will work Monday-Friday .  Monday-Thursday hours are 5:00 am- 4:30 pm with Friday hours varying from 6 to 10-hour shifts. Saturday hours may be scheduled due to business needs. 

Team Member’s will be notified by plant management if schedules were to change outside of the times listed above.

Job Title:  Department Lead 
Department: Manufacturing
Shift: 1st shift
Employment Status:  Non-Exempt
Reports to: Supervisor

Position Summary

The Department Lead is responsible for leading daily production operations to ensure products are manufactured, packaged, and shipped safely, efficiently, and in accordance with company quality standards and customer specifications. This position provides leadership, coaching, and direction to production Team Members while promoting a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement. The Department Lead is also responsible for maintaining accurate production reporting within SAP, monitoring operational performance through RedZone, and ensuring production goals are achieved.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, train, and support production Team Members while fostering a safe, productive, and team-oriented work environment.
• Oversee daily production operations to ensure products meet quality standards, customer specifications, and production schedules.
• Ensure adequate staffing, assign work appropriately, communicate daily priorities, and monitor Team Members performance while providing timely feedback.
• Operate, monitor, and support production lines, including packaging, product inspections, allergen changeovers, sanitation procedures, weight verification, and metal detector checks.
• Prepare production lines by ensuring equipment, materials, and supplies are properly set up and available, while assisting with production changeovers and start-up activities.
• Maintain compliance with company policies, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food safety, sanitation, allergen control, and workplace safety requirements.
• Perform routine quality inspections, maintain accurate production and inventory records, and ensure all required documentation is completed accurately and timely.
• Utilize SAP, RedZone, iPads, and Microsoft Outlook to support production operations, inventory management, performance monitoring, and communication.
• Perform basic equipment troubleshooting and routine maintenance, promptly report malfunctions, and maintain clean and organized work areas.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to support safety, quality, efficiency, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction.
• Maintain professional conduct, work overtime or extended shifts as business needs require, and perform other duties as assigned by management.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required

Preferred

• Previous manufacturing or food production experience 
• SAP experience
• Experience with production reporting, inventory transactions, and production order management
• Experience using RedZone or other ERP systems
• Working knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food safety, sanitation, and allergen control procedures.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) is a plus

Required

• High school diploma or GED
• Previous leadership, lead, or supervisory experience 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills 
• Flexible, dependable, and works well as part of a team 

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Frequently use hands to handle products and operate equipment.
• Perform frequent repetitive motions involving the hands, wrists, and arms.
• Occasionally lift, push, pull, and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify job responsibilities, assign additional duties, or revise this job description as business needs change.