Production Team Leader

Team Leader (Captain)

The Team Leader (Captain) is an elevated team member role responsible for leading day-to-day execution on a manufacturing line in partnership with the line team. This role acts as the quarterback of the shift for the line, coordinating people, materials, and resources to deliver safe, high-quality, and efficient performance.

While remaining a hands-on team member, the Team Leader provides coordination direction, training and motivating a team of 7-8 team members to execute against the lines' daily production goals. They play a key role within the line leadership triad, ensuring priorities are clear, team member line challenges are addressed quickly, and performance targets are met. This is an empowered role with a strong voice in daily decision-making and continuous improvement.

This is an excellent position to begin your leadership career path at PepsiCo! Success in this role drives a greater skillset as a people leader while learning how each member of a team plays a part to drive a stronger, better, and faster business.

Responsibilities

• Shift Leadership & Execution: Act as the primary point of coordination for the manufacturing line during the shift
• Set the pace and priorities for the line, ensuring the team is positioned to succeed
• Monitor total line performance and adjust execution as needed to meet targets
• Daily Direction Setting & DDS Leadership: Lead the line-level Daily Direction Setting (DDS) meeting
• Bring forward the top three issues from the shift, clearly articulating risks, actions, and needs
• Ensure team member input and voice are represented in daily discussions
• Problem Solving & Collaboration: Navigate challenges during the shift and escalate when needed
• Support problem-solving and continuous improvement efforts on the line
• Team Engagement & Culture: Support a culture of ownership, accountability, and teamwork
• Encourage team member participation and engagement through structured systems
• Serve as a role model for safe, quality-focused, and disciplined execution
• Elevate issues that impact safety, quality, or output in a timely manner
• Operate all manufacturing equipment (including new innovative technologies) efficiently and safely & perform preventative maintenance
• Maintain clean work area through good housekeeping practice
• Keep daily records of downtime and machine operations
• Regular, reliable, predictable attendance
• Create a positive team dynamic that encourages learning
• Support successful on-the-job training for new team members

Compensation and Benefits:

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $54,700 - $82,050.
• Location, confirmed job-related skills, experience, and education will be considered in setting actual starting salary. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.
• Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement.
• In addition to salary, PepsiCo offers a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees and their families, subject to elections and eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health, and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Insurance (Accident, Group Legal, Life), Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience working in a manufacturing or production environment
• A high school diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED) is required
• Strong understanding of safety, quality, and operational standards
• Ability to lead peers and influence performance without formal authority
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
• Willingness to take accountability for shift performance
• 2+ years of experience in a lead operator, team lead, or similar front-line leadership role
• Experience working with daily management systems (DDS, tier meetings, or similar)
• Knowledge of continuous improvement or IWS / Lean manufacturing concepts