Production Team Leader

Production Team Leader

Location: Somerville, MA Employment Type: Full-Time, Onsite Shifts Available:

1st Shift: Monday-Friday, 6:00 AM-3:00 PM

2nd Shift: Monday-Thursday, 2:00 PM-12:00 AM

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Production Team Leader to oversee daily operations in a plastic food container manufacturing and packaging environment. This role is responsible for coordinating production employees, monitoring output, maintaining quality and food safety standards, and ensuring production schedules are completed efficiently.

The ideal candidate has manufacturing leadership experience, a strong understanding of automated production equipment, and the ability to monitor production performance using an Operations Management System (OMS) or similar software.

Key Responsibilities

1. Production Operations

• Lead daily production activities to meet hourly, shift, and daily production targets.
• Coordinate machine operators, packers, and production employees based on staffing and operational needs.
• Monitor equipment performance, production output, downtime, efficiency, and scrap rates.
• Identify production delays, equipment issues, and workflow bottlenecks and communicate them to management.
• Ensure production schedules and customer order priorities are followed.

2. Production Tracking and Reporting

• Use an OMS, ERP, MES, or similar system to review work orders, production schedules, and shift performance.
• Record production quantities, downtime, material usage, and scrap accurately.
• Complete production records and shift reports on time.
• Communicate outstanding issues and production updates during shift handovers.

3. Quality Control and Food Safety

• Ensure employees follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), sanitation procedures, and applicable food-contact packaging requirements.
• Monitor product quality and identify defects such as warping, flashing, contamination, and dimensional inconsistencies.
• Coordinate with Quality Control to address nonconforming products and ensure proper segregation and reporting.
• Reinforce product-handling procedures and established quality standards.

4. Safety and Workplace Organization

• Enforce company safety policies, PPE requirements, and safe operating procedures.
• Identify hazards and promptly address or escalate unsafe conditions.
• Maintain clean and organized production areas in accordance with 5S principles.
• Ensure machine guards and safety devices remain in place and are used correctly.
• Report accidents, near misses, and equipment hazards promptly.

5. Team Leadership and Training

• Supervise and coordinate approximately 10-20 or more production employees, depending on operational needs.
• Assign employees to machines and workstations based on qualifications and production priorities.
• Train employees on SOPs, quality requirements, safety procedures, and production expectations.
• Monitor attendance, punctuality, productivity, and adherence to company policies.
• Address routine performance concerns and escalate disciplinary matters when appropriate.
• Maintain effective communication with production management, Maintenance, Quality Control, and other departments.

6. Troubleshooting and Continuous Improvement

• Identify minor operational issues within the scope of training and authorization.
• Coordinate with Maintenance on equipment breakdowns and preventive maintenance needs.
• Help investigate production defects and identify root causes.
• Monitor resin usage, scrap, rework, and material waste.
• Recommend improvements to increase productivity, reduce downtime, and improve product quality.
• Follow all equipment safety procedures and never perform unauthorized repairs.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of leadership or supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in plastics manufacturing, food packaging, or a related industrial production environment preferred.
• Familiarity with injection molding, thermoforming, extrusion, printing, or automated production equipment preferred.
• Experience using an OMS, ERP, MES, or similar production tracking system.
• Knowledge of GMP, 5S, manufacturing quality procedures, and food-contact packaging standards.
• Familiarity with HACCP or SQF principles is a plus.
• Ability to read work orders, production schedules, quality specifications, and SOPs.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to analyze production data, prepare shift reports, and coordinate multiple production lines.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods on the production floor.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 35-50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation, consistent with applicable safety procedures.
• Comfortable working around industrial machinery and production equipment while following safety and sanitation requirements.
• Ability to work the assigned shift and overtime as needed.

Performance Expectations

• Achievement of production targets and schedules.
• Accurate production tracking and timely reporting.
• Reduction of downtime, scrap, and material waste.
• Compliance with safety, quality, and sanitation standards.
• Employee productivity, training, attendance, and SOP compliance.
• Effective shift handovers and timely escalation of production issues.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive compensation based on experience and qualifications.
• Health insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Paid time off, subject to company policy and eligibility requirements.

This position offers an opportunity for a hands-on production leader to contribute to operational efficiency, product quality, workplace safety, and team development.

Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.