2nd Shift Production Lead – Self-Freezing Operations

Nordic Cold Chain; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 39,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Nordic Cold Chain in Reno, NV is seeking a hands-on Production Lead to manage end-to-end production activities on the assigned shift in self-freezing operations. You will execute daily schedules, adjust labor and workflows in real time, and lead a team of operators to maintain throughput and quality.

Responsibilities include monitoring performance, downtime, and yield; coordinating with maintenance; and coaching staff to follow SOPs and safety practices in a cold environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in a lead, senior operator, or working lead role.
• Ability to manage labor and workflows while performing production tasks.
• Willingness to work in cold/freezer environments and overtime as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead all end-to-end production activities for the assigned shift across self-freezing operations.
• Execute daily production schedules and adjust labor, sequencing, and workflows in real time.
• Assign and reassign labor to balance workloads and optimize throughput.
• Actively operate production and self-freezing equipment to maintain flow and address bottlenecks.
• Monitor production performance, downtime, scrap, and yield metrics throughout the shift.
• Escalate risks or constraints to the Production Supervisor with recommended solutions.

Skills

Lead experience

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Forklift certification

Job description

Description

Key Responsibilities

Production & Operational Leadership

• Lead all end-to-end production activities for the assigned shift across self-freezing operations.
• Execute daily production schedules and make real-time adjustments to labor, sequencing, and workflows.
• Assign and reassign labor to ensure balanced workloads and optimal throughput.
• Actively operate production and self-freezing equipment to maintain flow and address bottlenecks.
• Monitor production performance, downtime, scrap, and yield metrics throughout the shift.
• Escalate risks, delays, or constraints to the Production Supervisor with recommended solutions.

Team Leadership & Coaching

• Provide hands-on leadership, direction, and coaching to operators, mixers, packers, and material handlers.
• Support onboarding, job training, and cross-training of new and existing employees.
• Reinforce standard work, SOPs, and safe work practices on the production floor.
• Lead shift startup meetings, shift handoffs, and daily production communications.
• Address performance or conduct concerns through coaching and promptly elevate issues to management.

Equipment, Technical & Process Support

• Troubleshoot equipment, freezing systems, and process issues to minimize downtime.
• Coordinate with maintenance and refrigeration teams on equipment issues and planned work.
• Ensure equipment is operated within defined parameters and elevate abnormal conditions.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to safety, quality, cost, and delivery.

Materials, Inventory & Logistics

• Operate forklifts and material handling equipment safely and efficiently.
• Manage material flow between production, freezer storage, and outbound staging.
• Conduct inventory counts, cycle counts, and reconciliations to maintain inventory accuracy.
• Prepare, review, and process Bills of Lading (BOLs) and shipping documentation.
• Coordinate with warehouse and logistics partners to support on-time shipments.

Documentation, Reporting & Compliance

• Complete accurate production reports, downtime logs, and shift summaries.
• Provide written and verbal updates on production status, staffing, safety, quality, and equipment issues.
• Ensure production records meet internal, customer, food safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Support audits, inspections, and corrective action activities as required.

Safety, Quality & Cold Chain Integrity

• Promote and enforce a strong safety culture throughout the shift.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, quality, and cold chain standards.
• Immediately address unsafe conditions or behaviors and elevate as required.
• Maintain proper use of PPE and adherence to site safety requirements.

Requirements

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in manufacturing, food processing, frozen, or cold storage operations.
• Demonstrated experience in a lead, senior operator, or working lead role.
• Proven ability to lead teams while actively performing production work (player-coach).
• Forklift experience and willingness to maintain certification.
• Strong working knowledge of production equipment, material handling, and inventory processes.
• Ability to work in cold and freezer environments for extended periods.
• Willingness to work overtime and provide occasional cross-shift coverage.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in frozen or refrigerated food manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with self-freezing, batch processing, or continuous production systems.
• Experience supporting startup or rapid scale-up operations.
• Exposure to Lean manufacturing, standard work, or continuous improvement methodologies.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 50 lbs. with or without accommodation.
• Frequent operation of forklifts and industrial equipment.
• Regular exposure to cold and freezer temperatures.
• Use of required PPE.

Compensation & Growth

• Competitive hourly wage based on experience and qualifications.
• Overtime eligibility.
• Clear advancement pathway into salaried Production Supervisor roles based on performance.

Rate - $28-$30/hour DOE