Production Lead

Production Lead 2nd Shift

The Production Lead 2nd Shift oversees the second half of daily plant operations, ensuring products are processed, packaged, and documented correctly, and that the facility is fully cleaned and sanitized for the next day. This is a hands-on production role working directly on the floor with the team to operate equipment, troubleshoot issues, oversee CIP and sanitation, and provide day-to-day leadership when the Plant Supervisor is not present. The role includes several months of first-shift training to gain a complete, start-to-finish understanding of the production process before transitioning to the regular second-shift schedule.

Responsibilities

• Oversee second-shift production from approximately 2:00 PM until completion each day.
• Work directly with production employees to keep the production schedule on track and meet daily goals.
• Operate and monitor processing and packaging equipment and assist with production tasks as needed.
• Monitor processing conditions, equipment performance, product quality, and production yields throughout the shift.
• Identify and troubleshoot basic equipment or processing issues and escalate more complex problems to management or maintenance.
• Help minimize downtime, product loss, and unnecessary delays by proactively addressing issues and coordinating resources.
• Ensure all products are handled, processed, and packaged according to established procedures and quality standards.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe production environment at all times.
• Communicate production status, issues, and any unfinished work to management and the following shift.
• Oversee and actively participate in end-of-day cleaning and sanitation for the plant.
• Operate CIP systems and sanitation equipment to clean and sanitize tanks, pipelines, fillers, and other food-contact surfaces.
• Assemble and disassemble equipment as needed to allow for proper cleaning, inspection, and reassembly.
• Verify CIP time, temperature, chemical concentration, and other required parameters to meet sanitation standards.
• Titrate cleaning chemicals and maintain appropriate concentrations to ensure effective cleaning and safety.
• Perform manual cleaning using hoses, foamers, brushes, and other sanitation tools as required.
• Inspect equipment and food-contact surfaces after cleaning to verify proper sanitation before returning to production.
• Identify and correct sanitation issues and ensure the plant is properly cleaned, sanitized, and ready for the next production day.
• Maintain sanitation equipment and ensure adequate supplies of chemicals and cleaning materials are available.
• Complete accurate production, batch, processing, CIP, sanitation, and traceability records.
• Follow and enforce applicable GMP, HACCP, FSMA, PCQI, SOP, and other food safety requirements.
• Monitor and document required processing temperatures, times, chemical concentrations, and CIP parameters.
• Ensure employees consistently follow GMP, PPE, sanitation, and food safety requirements.
• Immediately communicate any food safety, quality, equipment, or personnel issues to management.
• Maintain accurate, organized records required for plant operations and regulatory compliance.
• Lead by example with a strong, visible presence on the production floor.
• Train, coach, and assist employees with production, sanitation, and documentation procedures.
• Hold employees accountable for safety, quality, productivity, and adherence to established procedures.
• Make sound decisions when management is not present and know when to escalate issues appropriately.
• Work closely with the Plant Supervisor, Quality, and management teams to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and minimize downtime.
• Promote a professional, productive, and team-oriented work environment.
• Oversee and guide a small team of production employees (approximately four people) during second shift.
• Participate in initial training to learn raw milk receiving, testing, and handling processes.
• Learn and support milk separation and butterfat standardization activities.
• Gain working knowledge of homogenization, pasteurization, batching, and production scheduling.
• Support product changeovers and help manage production yields and product flow.
• Assist with filling and packaging operations, including changeovers and basic troubleshooting.
• Oversee batching of products, including flavored products such as chocolate milk, and ensure correct ingredients are added.
• Participate in production planning and help organize the back half of production to meet daily targets.
• Ensure filler bowls and related equipment are properly cleaned and sanitized.
• Regularly check and verify sanitation practices during and at the end of the shift.

Essential Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 2+ years of experience in dairy, food processing, beverage, manufacturing, or a similar production environment preferred.
• 2-3 years of production lead or supervisory experience, preferably in dairy, food and beverage, or beverage manufacturing.
• Experience in food, dairy, or beverage manufacturing environments with a strong process focus.
• Hands-on experience with production supervision and leading small teams on the floor.
• Experience with CIP, sanitation, pasteurization, or food processing systems strongly preferred.
• Ability to learn and understand a complex production process from raw material receiving through finished product.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and basic troubleshooting ability for production and processing equipment.
• Knowledge of GMPs and production best practices.
• Familiarity with HACCP, FSMA, PCQI, and food safety principles preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate, legible records.
• Dependable and self-motivated with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to train and coach others.
• Willingness to work alongside production employees and perform hands-on work throughout the shift.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to bend, reach, kneel, twist, climb, and work around production equipment safely.
• Ability to lift, push, and carry up to 50 pounds regularly.
• Ability to work around water, cleaning chemicals, and sanitation equipment while using proper PPE.
• Ability to work in wet, cold, warm, and humid environments.
• Ability to work around loud machinery, pumps, motors, forklifts, and other industrial equipment.
• Ability to wear all required PPE and safety equipment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous experience specifically in dairy processing is desirable but not required.
• Experience with pasteurization, homogenization, batching, separation, or similar processing equipment is a plus.
• Experience in dairy, beverage manufacturing, or broader food manufacturing environments.
• Strong process-focused mindset with an emphasis on consistency, quality, and efficiency.
• Comfort working a second-shift schedule (approximately 2:00 PM-12:00 AM) after training is completed.
• Flexibility to work occasional overtime, weekends, holidays, or adjusted schedules based on production needs.
• Interest in learning how each step of the production process impacts the next and using that knowledge to make better decisions.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with supervisors, quality staff, and other departments to resolve issues and improve processes.

Why Work Here?

You will join a production team that values hands-on leadership, collaboration, and continuous learning. The role offers structured, on-the-job training that gives you a complete understanding of the production process and the opportunity to take real ownership of the second-shift operation. You will work in an environment that emphasizes safety, food quality, and process discipline, while also encouraging you to contribute ideas that improve efficiency and reduce waste. The schedule provides a consistent Monday-Friday second shift after training, with overtime opportunities as production needs arise, supporting both stability and the potential for additional earnings. You will be part of a team-oriented culture where clear communication, mutual support, and professional conduct are expected and recognized.

Work Environment

This is a physically active manufacturing environment based in a food and beverage production plant. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday from approximately 2:00 PM to 12:00 AM, with overtime as needed. The selected candidate will initially train on first shift (approximately 4:00 AM