2nd Shift Production Lead – Dry Ingredients Fortress Nutrition, LLC

Fortressllc; New Berlin (WI); On-site; USD 33,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Paid holidays

Medical insurance

Dental/Vision

401(k) match

Life insurance

AD&D

Disability

Job summary

Fortress Nutrition seeks a Production Lead for the Dry Powder Division on 2nd shift (Mon-Fri, 2:00 PM–10:30 PM) to drive safety, quality, and continuous improvement. You will coach operators, oversee blending and packaging, and support daily production priorities.

Requires 2+ years as a lead/supervisor in food/beverage manufacturing with GMP knowledge and strong MS Office skills. Weekend/overtime may be required; compensation includes hourly pay with shift premium.

Qualifications

• Must have 2+ years of lead or supervisory experience with direct responsibility for coaching, performance management, time/attendance oversight, disciplinary action, and training & development.
• 1+ years of experience in food/beverage manufacturing with strong GMP/food safety knowledge.
• Experience driving process and continuous improvement initiatives; strong math and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily production activities on 2nd shift to ensure safety, quality, productivity, and on-time completion.
• Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching, and support to production employees.
• Oversee blending and packaging operations and communicate issues to supervisors and maintenance.
• Coordinate labor utilization and work assignments to maximize output.
• Fill in for the Production Supervisor and prepare end-of-day production reports.
• Oversee training of new employees and develop current team members.
• Implement improvements to production methods, equipment, workflow, and product quality.
• Ensure GDPs and GMPs are followed and all documentation is accurate.

Skills

Leadership

Food manufacturing

Process improvement

Mathematics

Organization

MS Office

English

Overtime readiness

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Hoist operation

Scissor Lift

Forklift

Job description

Production Lead – Dry Powder Division | 2nd Shift, Monday–Friday

Fortress Nutrition is growing—and we’re looking for an experienced Production Lead to help drive safety, quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement within our Dry Powder Operations team. This is a hands‑on, working leadership role responsible for supporting daily production activities, coaching operators, improving processes, and serving as the primary resource and leader for the team on 2nd shift.

If you’re passionate about developing people, improving manufacturing processes, and creating a culture of accountability and operational excellence, this could be a great fit for you.

Schedule: 2nd Shift

• Monday–Friday: 2:00 PM–10:30 PM
• Overtime and weekend work may be required based on production and business needs

What You’ll Do

• Direct daily production activities on 2nd shift to ensure safety, quality, productivity, and on‑time completion of work
• Provide day‑to‑day leadership, coaching, and support to production employees
• Oversee blending and packaging operations and communicate downtime or recurring equipment issues to the Production Supervisor, Plant Manager and Maintenance immediately
• Provide work assignments and coordinate labor utilization to maximize production and output
• Fill in for the Production Supervisor on the shift, including providing direction to operators, monitoring inventory, and sending end‑of‑day production reports
• Oversee training of new employees; Coach, develop and train current team members
• Develop a working knowledge of machinery/equipment and job stations to provide operational support where needed
• Recommend and implement improvements to production methods, equipment performance, workflow, and product quality
• Monitor completion and accuracy of Master Manufacturing Records (MMRs) and ensure all documentation follows Good Documentation Practices (GDPs)
• Serve as the department subject matter expert for MMR documentation and identify additional training opportunities on the team when needed
• Ensure employees consistently follow GMPs, food safety standards, PPE requirements, safety/sanitation standards, and all company policies
• Promote a positive, team‑oriented, servant leadership culture focused on accountability, communication, and continuous improvement
• Communicate effectively with operators, supervisors, and leadership regarding production priorities and operational concerns
• Complete special projects and other duties as assigned
• Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary work area
• Support team operations through overtime or weekend work when needed
• Perform all other duties as assigned by leadership

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Minimum of two (2) years of lead or supervisory experience with direct responsibility for employee coaching, performance management, time and attendance oversight, disciplinary action, and team training & development
• 1+ years of experience in food/beverage manufacturing, with strong understanding and knowledge of food safety and quality programs (GMPs, handwashing, allergen controls, sanitation, cross‑contamination prevention, etc.)
• Experience driving process and continuous improvement initiatives
• Strong mathematical skills including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
• Strong organizational, professional communication, and problem‑solving skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and other computer programs/applications
• Ability to adapt quickly, prioritize changing workloads, and make sound decisions independently
• Ability to safely operator Hoist, Scissor Lift, and Forklift
• Ability to read, write, and communicate in English
• Ability to work overtime and weekends as required by production or business needs

Must demonstrate a high sense of urgency, proactively identify and resolve production issues, and remain actively engaged throughout the shift. This position requires continuous observation of operations, immediate response to production concerns, and the ability to effectively lead others through changing priorities while maintaining safety, quality, and production goals. Individuals who are not attentive, proactive, and capable of confidently leading and holding others accountable will not be successful in this role.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience machine operating high-speed packaging equipment in a manufacturing environment
• Strong knowledge of GMPs, food safety, and quality standards
• Previous experience in a mixing/blending role within a regulated industry
• Lean Manufacturing knowledge and continuous improvement experience
• Bilingual is a plus (English/Spanish)

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods (up to 10 hours in a shift)
• Ability to frequently lift, carry, push, pull, or move materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds
• Ability to safely work from a mezzanine workstation or scissor lift up to 20 feet high
• Frequent use of hands to operate controls, tools, equipment, and packaging materials
• Frequent reaching, bending, kneeling, crouching, climbing, and balancing
• Frequent use of hands and fingers to handle and operate tools, equipment and packaging materials

Working Conditions/Environment:

• Ability to work in an environment with exposure to food allergens (including dairy and soy), airborne powder/dust, and wet conditions
• Must be able to work around industrial high‑speed moving machinery and equipment with frequent exposure to moderate to loud noise levels

Pay & Benefits:

• $24.00 – $26.00+ per hour (based on experience and qualifications)
• + $1.00 Shift Premium
• Double pay for hours worked after 50 hours in a workweek
• Weekend work is paid at double pay

Benefits Include:

• PTO Package with Carryover Option
• 9 Paid Holidays
• Medical, Dental & Vision (Affordable Family Coverage)
• HSA with Company Contributions
• Company‑paid Life, AD&D, Short‑ & Long‑Term Disability
• 401(k) with strong company match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Referral Bonuses
• And more

Fortress Nutrition is an equal opportunity employer.