Production Lead - Nights - Essentia

This position will coordinate production team members and their work activities, ensuring the safe production of a quality product processed in accordance with mandated and established company procedures.

NOTE: This is a night shift position from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am, working a rotating schedule of three days one week and four days the next week. Position is the Harlan, IA location.

• Benefits first of the month following date of hire

• 401(k) with employer match

• 9 paid holidays

• PTO starting at 120 hours per year, prorated based on hire date

• Other great benefits!!

JOB DUTIES:

Production Process:

• Analyze, forecast and plan production objectives.
• If required by site, schedule production operators and assign maintenance work orders as needed.
• Coordinate production area workflow including:
• The unloading and blending of raw products.
• Packaging the raw product.
• Maximizing production efficiencies and machine utilization.
• Troubleshoot the production process including:
• Assist maintenance/utility person with repairs on equipment/machinery breakdowns or notify appropriate personnel to coordinate outside repair services.
• Ensure the flow of production, redirecting production employees to areas of the process needing immediate attention.
• Document and understand required data to control production processes.
• Assist in the development and updating of standard operating procedures.
• Complies with and follows company food safety and quality policies.
• Monitor the production processes, anticipate production concerns and make effective decisions while striving for continuity of the production process.
• Demonstrate proficiency using each piece of equipment on the floor.
• Complete daily reports in absence of production supervisor.
• May create bills of lading and pick pallets for outbound loads.

Training & Development:

• Provide safety training, including all mandated sanitary policies and regulations, according to established procedures.
• Conducts and provides quality and production training for production personnel.
• Coach team members in support of Production Supervisor or Superintendent.
   

Management:

• Maintain a clean production area for safe working conditions.
• Assigns work, ensures employees have what they need to get the job done.
• Keeps watch over product being made, which may frequently include running machine(s).
• This role does not typically have administrative management duties.  This role provides recommendations for employment actions including performance evaluations, but does not personally carry out hiring, terminations, or discipline.
• Attend all Supervisory and Safety meetings at the designated times.
• Comply with and aid Supervisor/Superintendent in ensuring team member compliance with company’s Code of Conduct and Respectful Workplace policy.
• The Production Lead will cover work direction activities in the absence of the Production Supervisor. 
• Environment policies as well as all other company policies.
• Ensure fundamental food safety and quality practices maintained to achieve food safety and quality objectives and to support the development, implementation and maintenance and ongoing improvements of food safety programs.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to troubleshoot malfunctions in equipment/machinery and perform repairs.
• Specific knowledge of industrial production processes in an edible food processing plant.
• Ability to operate and train personnel on equipment and machinery used in the processing of product.
• Ability to maintain high level of confidentiality related to all duties and responsibilities
• Ability to monitor the production processes, anticipate production concerns and make effective decisions while striving for continuity of the production process.
• Ability to work in a team environment and implement continuous quality improvement.
• Ability to maintain steady and quality work output from the team and foster positive attitudes among employees.
• Ability to perform basic and complex mathematical calculations.
• Ability to work daily and overtime as necessary.
• Ability to remain calm and professional.
• General knowledge of OSHA standards and safe work practices.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing with company personnel, contractors, vendors, suppliers, and other business related contacts.
• Ability to adhere to USDA, OSHA, and other regulatory and compliance recordkeeping requirements.
• Knowledge of dryer operation and membrane filtration processes.
• Knowledge of industrial production processes in an edible food processing plant.
• Ability to operate forklifts and non-motorized pallet jacks as needed.
• Ability to operate company vehicles as required.
• If qualified, trained and required by site: ability to change bags in the bag house.
• If both the Supervisor and Plant Superintendent are absent, the Plant Manager assumes the responsibility.
• Ability to assist in other work-related areas as requested.

BASIC PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Approximate:   8-Hour Day (may be longer during peak season)

          Key:                    Occasional         =       0% - 33%

                                      Frequent             =       34% - 66%

                                      Continuous        =       67% - 100%

                                      N/A                      =       Not Applicable

          Standing - Frequent

          Sitting - Occasional

          Walking - Continuous

          Bending/Kneeling/Crouching/Stooping - Occasional

          Reaching Above Shoulder - Frequent

          Climbing (stairs, ladders, etc.) - Occasional

          Working on Heights:

          Unprotected Heights - Occasional

          Protected Heights - Frequent

          Lifting Weights from    0     to    100    Pounds - Frequent

          Push/Pull/Maneuver Equipment/Products/Materials - Occasional

          Weighing from 0 to 100 Pounds

          Being Around and/or Operating Moving Machinery/Equipment - Frequent

          Operating a Vehicle (as a part of your job) - Occasional

          Read/Monitor Gauges on Various Equipment/Machinery - Frequent

          Hand Movements:

          Recording Data - Occasional

          Operating Office Equipment - Occasional

          Operating Computer - Occasional

          Simple Grasping (right and left)  - Frequent

          Firm Grasping (right and left) - Frequent

          Fine Manipulating (right and left) - Frequent

          Foot Movements to Operate Foot Controls - Occasional

          Vision:  Good Vision, Corrected to Normal; or Ability to - Yes

          Access Required Information and to Perform Job Duties

          Color Definition Required: - No

          Hearing:  Good Hearing, Corrected to Normal; or Ability to

          Communicate/Understand Required Information and to Perform Job Duties - Yes

          Mobility:  Ability to be mobile throughout required work areas.

          Office - Occasional

          Multiple Locations - N/A

          Plant - Continuous

          Equipment/Maintenance or Repair Area - Continuous

          Rough Terrain - Occasional

          Other - N/A                                                                                                        

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:  High School diploma or G.E.D. required. 

Experience:  Experience in a food processing environment required.