Production Team Lead

Position Summary:

The Production Team Lead is responsible for assisting the Production Supervisor with leading, developing, and enabling the production team and its employees to achieve the operational objectives set forth. They will oversee, coordinate, and execute day-to-day food production activities. This role ensures production goals are met efficiently and in compliance with food safety regulations, quality guidelines, and regulatory requirements.

Essential Functions:

• Operate, monitor, and maintain production equipment to ensure smooth, safe, and efficient food manufacturing processes.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP, GMPs, FSMA, and other regulatory and company food safety standards.
• Lead setup, changeovers, and shutdowns of production lines.
• Act as interim Production Supervisor in the absence of core leadership ensuring continuity of execution and team coordination.
• Serve as the primary lead technician for all production roles, able to flex across all positions on the floor.
• Own the batch deck process by leading high-quality execution, verifying recipe accuracy, and maintaining consistency across production runs.
• Drive quality control and product integrity throughout the production process, escalating issues proactively.
• Lead and support the autonomous maintenance strategy for fillers and critical production equipment.
• Provide real-time troubleshooting and resolution support across mechanical, process, and product-related challenges.
• Monitor product quality and make real-time adjustments to maintain specifications.
• Train, mentor, and coach production line staff and junior technicians while building bench strength and operational readiness.
• Maintain accurate production documentation, batch records, and quality checks.
• Collaborate with the Quality Assurance, Maintenance, and Sanitation teams to maintain a clean and compliant work environment.
• Perform minor repairs and adjustments to production equipment.
• Support the larger WayFare Team with additional tasks, as needed.
• Perform other duties as required. This list of responsibilities and duties is not all inclusive and may change over time.

Core Competencies Required:

• Experienced with industrial cooking equipment, able to troubleshoot effectively and efficiently set up equipment.
• Proficient in reading production schematics, SOPs, and batch documentation.
• Background working in a high care, fast-paced environment.
• Experienced in working with Maintenance, and Warehousing.
• Understand and apply Safety, Food Safety, and GMP principles.
• Familiar and capable of performing industrial sanitation practices.
• Knowledge of production roles and responsibilities.

Education, Training, and Experience Required:

• High School diploma or GED; Associates degree or technical certification preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in Food CPG manufacturing with proven ability to operate and troubleshoot production and cooking systems.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a production environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and computer-based applications. Background in adapting to changing organizational and operational needs; effective in leading others through growth in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to step in and cover different production roles as needed.
• Expertise in organization, prioritization, and attention to detail.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, influence, motivate, develop, engage, and retain a team of employees.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred.
• English reading and writing skills sufficient to read and understand work instructions and record production and cleaning information.

Physical Requirements:

• Lift weights up to 40 lbs. daily.
• Team-lift weights up to 100 lbs. occasionally.
• Repetitive micro-movements involving the limbs.
• Repetitive motion involving the muscles, joints, or ligaments.
• Frequently stand, sit, bend, squat, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Climb steps to mezzanine/kettles.
• Function for up to twelve (12) consecutive hours in a warm or cold environment (35 –70 degrees F).
• Regularly place pressure on one muscle or joint.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: In person