Line Leader

Hilton Food Group; Brantford; Hybrid; CAD 4,082,000 - 5,101,000; Full time

Job summary

HiltonFoods Canada is seeking a Line Leader to coordinate daily production on-site in Ontario. You will drive production schedules, ensure food safety and quality, coach frontline teams, and sustain a culture of continuous improvement.

Responsibilities include leading shift planning, monitoring KPIs, managing resources and maintaining SOPs, GMP, and HACCP compliance while fostering teamwork and operational excellence across Production, Quality, Maintenance and Warehousing.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years in manufacturing, food processing, packaging, or production.
• Knowledge of HACCP and food safety programs.
• Experience with traceability and recalls.
• Experience leading frontline teams.
• Strong focus on safety, GMP, HACCP and quality systems.
• KPI-driven manufacturing experience.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Detail-oriented and organized.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Execute daily production plans to meet output and cost objectives.
• Monitor line performance and ensure schedules are met.
• Manage labor, materials, equipment to maximise productivity.
• Monitor KPIs including productivity, downtime, quality and safety.
• Identify bottlenecks and implement corrective actions.
• Lead daily shift meetings and coach production teams.
• Ensure SOPs and company policies are followed.
• Support continuous improvement and lean initiatives.
• Maintain accurate production and quality records.

Skills

Manufacturing experience

Food safety knowledge

Team leadership

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

MS Office

Education

Post-secondary education in Operations/Manufacturing/Food Science

Tools

ERP systems

MES systems

Job description

Job Title: Line Leader

Salary Range: CAD$29:63 – 37:03per hour

Working Type: On-Site

PURPOSEOF ROLE

The Line Leader is responsible for coordinating andleading daily production line operations to ensure safe, efficient, andhigh-quality manufacturing performance. The role drives achievement ofproduction schedules, food safety, quality, people, and cost objectives whilefostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, teamwork, andoperational excellence. The Line Leader provides day-to-day leadership,coaching, and support to production team members to ensure operational targetsare consistently met.

KEYACCOUNTABILITIES

ProductionOperations & Performance

• Execute dailyproduction plans to meet output, customer service, quality, and costobjectives.
• Monitor lineperformance and ensure production schedules are achieved withinestablished timeframes.
• Manage labour,materials, equipment, and resources to maximize productivity and minimizewaste.
• Monitor andcommunicate key performance indicators (KPIs) including productivity,yield, downtime, labour efficiency, quality, and safety.
• Identify productionbottlenecks and implement corrective actions to maintain operational flow.
• Escalate significantoperational issues, equipment failures, quality concerns, or staffingchallenges to the Production Supervisor/Manager.
• Complete productiondocumentation, records, and reporting accurately and on time.
• Ensure adherence tostandard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and companypolicies.

PeopleLeadership & Team Development

• Provide dailyleadership, coaching, guidance, and support to production team members.
• Conduct pre-shiftmeetings, line huddles, and shift handovers to communicate priorities andexpectations.
• Support onboarding andtraining of new employees.
• Monitor employeeperformance, attendance, and productivity.
• Provide constructivefeedback and coaching to improve individual and team performance.
• Identifyhigh-potential employees and support employee development plans.
• Promote a positive,inclusive, and respectful workplace culture.
• Foster collaborationacross Production, Quality, Maintenance, Warehousing, and Operationsfunctions.

Food Safety& Quality

• Ensure compliance withHACCP, GMP, food safety, quality, sanitation, and regulatory requirements.
• Verify products aremanufactured according to specification and customer requirements.
• Monitor CriticalControl Points (CCPs) and Quality Control Points (QCPs).
• Ensure traceabilityand product integrity requirements are always maintained.
• Investigate qualityconcerns and support corrective and preventive actions.
• Support internalaudits, customer audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Maintain accurateproduction and quality records.

Health,Safety & Compliance

• Promote and reinforcea strong safety-first culture.
• Ensure compliance withOccupational Health & Safety requirements, company safety procedures,and safe work practices.
• Conductpre-operational inspections and safety checks.
• Identify hazards, nearmisses, unsafe conditions, and safety improvement opportunities.
• Participate inincident investigations and corrective action activities.
• Ensure proper use ofPPE and safe equipment operation.
• Work closely withHealth & Safety representatives and management to improve workplacesafety performance.
• Support compliancewith WHMIS requirements and food manufacturing safety standards.

ContinuousImprovement

• Lead and participatein continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support LeanManufacturing, waste reduction, efficiency improvement, and cost-savingactivities.
• Participate in rootcause analysis and problem-solving exercises.
• Monitor lineperformance trends and recommend improvements.
• Support implementationof process improvements that enhance safety, quality, service, andproductivity.

KEYEXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Essential

• 2-5 years of manufacturing, food processing, packaging, or production experience.
• Knowledge of HACCP systems and food safety programs.
• Knowledge of traceability and recall procedures.
• Previous experience leading or coordinating frontline production teams.
• Strong understanding of food safety, GMP, HACCP, sanitation, and quality systems.
• Experience working in KPI-driven manufacturing environments.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and decision-making ability.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced production environment.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.

Desirable

• Experience with ERP, MES, or production management systems.
• Knowledge of CFIA regulations.
• Post-secondary education in Operations, Manufacturing, Food Science, or related discipline.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement experience.

HiltonFoods Canada is committed to building a culture of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing equal opportunities to all employees. At HiltonFoods Canada, we welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please advise the HR representative. All requests for an accommodation and the accommodation measures will be handled in a confidential manner at all times.