Production Team Lead

Production Team Lead

At Winland Foods, our success starts with people who live our values of Excellence, Quality, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration every day. As a Packaging Team Member, you'll be at the center of our operation, helping ensure products are packaged safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards. You'll operate, monitor, and maintain packaging equipment, monitor processes, and take pride in knowing your work directly impacts the food experiences we deliver to millions of consumers. This role is more than keeping lines movingit's about working as part of a team that respects one another, values safety, and strives for continuous improvement. By upholding our commitment to excellence, you'll play a vital role in making mealtime easier, safer, and more enjoyable for families everywhere.

Schedule: Night Shift - A Schedule - 12 hour shifts 7:00pm - 7:30am

Work Location: 1801 N 36th St, Grand Forks, ND

Salary, based on experience and other qualifications: $27.20 per hour plus $0.50 night shift differential

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with match, STD/LTD/AD&D/Life, HSA, FSA, EAP, Hospital indemnity, Accident Insurance, Identity and Fraud Protection Plan, Legal, and Critical Illness.

Safe Equipment Operation & Maintenance

• Operate basic packaging machinery (depalletizers, palletizers, conveyors, forklifts).
• Complete equipment changeovers and address operational issues quickly.
• Use technical skills in SAP, IQS, MII, and Weaver to keep Packaging flowing.
• Perform routine operation checks.
• Perform daily inspections, preventive maintenance, and equipment changeovers.
• Ensure proper sanitation after changeovers.
• Execute advanced troubleshooting, pre-inspection checks, and complex changeovers.
• Monitor and optimize line performance.
• Oversee assigned production lines, ensuring equipment is set up correctly, staffing is adequate, and materials are organized.
• Collaborate with Maintenance to ensure equipment functionality.
• Oversee daily production processes and troubleshoot operational issues.
• Optimize workflows to ensure efficiency and minimize downtime.

Product Handling, Quality Control & Inventory Management

• Inspect products for correct labeling, alignment, and packaging.
• Perform manual packing and palletizing.
• Follow FIFO inventory methods, manage materials, and record shipments in SAP.
• Conduct quality checks on products and packaging.
• Verify weight control, material accuracy, and product quality at multiple checkpoints.
• Minimize downtime and defects by leading the team in Centerlining and monitoring line performance to spot issues early.
• Make real-time adjustments to prevent defects.
• Enforce quality checks on all line outputs, ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP, and food safety standards, and maintenance of accurate documentation
• Ensure adherence to GMP, HACCP, and safety regulations in all production activities.
• Monitor product flow and quality, resolving issues promptly to meet standards.
• Reconcile inventory discrepancies through SAP and physical verification

Food Safety & Sanitation Compliance

• Follow GMP, HACCP, SQF, FSMA, and company food safety policies.
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation.
• Maintain compliance documentation and complete sanitation steps during changeovers.
• Lead FSQ compliance in assigned area.
• Mentor team on food safety and enforce sanitation accountability.
• Enforce compliance for assigned lines, ensuring safety and sanitation practices are upheld, waste is removed promptly, and facility standards are maintained.
• Train employees in food safety protocols and enforce sanitation procedures.
• Maintain accurate records of safety audits and compliance reports.
• Uphold company policies and regulatory standards in all operational activities.

Team Collaboration, Leadership & Training

• Assist team members, adapt to operational changes, and contribute to productivity, safety, and quality goals.
• Provide backup coverage for multiple roles, share knowledge with peers, and support training.
• Coordinate team activities, assign tasks, lead shift meetings, and train others in advanced operations
• Direct changeovers, organize team activities, identify skill gaps, provide feedback, and support training programs in assigned areas.
• Guide and motivate team members to meet production goals while maintaining morale.
• Train employees on operational procedures, equipment use, and safety protocols.
• Foster a positive, productive work environment and coach team members on WE systems.
• Communicate effectively with team members, supervisors, and other departments.

Documentation, Communication & Continuous Improvement

• Accurately complete basic production paperwork and report issues to supervisors.
• Record inventory transactions, shipments, and quality results in SAP.
• Participate in 5S efforts.
• Assist in reviewing production paperwork.
• Work with supervisors and team to develop solutions to issues.
• Act as 5S champion for area.
• Lead improvement projects, perform operator-based maintenance, and analyze downtime causes.
• Maintain thorough and accurate documentation for all production activities.
• Monitor performance metrics, identify improvement opportunities, and assist in implementing effective processes.
• Manage SAP transactions, maintain accurate production logs, and complete compliance documentation.
• Drive cost-saving and process improvement initiatives.
• Facilitate clear and timely communication across shifts and departments to align goals.
• Monitor Packaging performance, address issues proactively, and provide detailed updates to management.

Knowledge, Training and Experience

Education & Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 1 year of work experience, preferably in manufacturing or food production.
• Forklift certification preferred (required for Advanced Level); willingness to obtain certification if not already held.
• 18+ years of age.

Technical & Mechanical Skills:

• Ability to operate, troubleshoot, and perform minor repairs on production line equipment, including cartoners, baggers, case packers, sealers, depalletizers, and palletizers.
• For higher levels, demonstrate expert troubleshooting of high-speed packaging equipment and strong understanding of theory of operation.
• Perform Winland Excellence CIL, centerlining, and line huddle activities to improve efficiency.
• Mechanical aptitude with the ability to identify and resolve equipment irregularities.
• Proficiency in SAP, hand scanners, and basic math skills.
• Advanced levels require proficiency in MII, WE systems, and interpreting line huddle measures to resolve issues.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Safety & Compliance:

• Knowledge of GMPs, SQF, HACCP, FSMA, and other food safety regulations.
• Commitment to following all company safety policies and procedures.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., push heavy loads, stand/walk up to 90% of shift, and climb as needed.
• Must have near and far visual acuity, some color perception, and full range of hand/arm movement.

Teamwork, Communication & Leadership:

• Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers, supervisors and others at the worksite regarding work matters, which are mostly conducted in English. This includes the ability to understand and respond to oral communications; understand written information, communications, and safety information; and communicate in writing as needed.
• Work independently and collaboratively in a team environment, with a team-first mindset.
• Provide training, guidance, and feedback to team members (progressively more responsibility at higher levels).
• Advanced levels lead projects, identify skill gaps, and support multiple initiatives with minimal supervision