2nd Shift Production Lead – Self-Freezing Operations

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

Job summary

Nordic Cold Chain Solutions is seeking a production lead for our Reno, NV facility to drive end-to-end self-freezing operations on the assigned shift. You will execute daily production schedules, adjust labor allocation, and address bottlenecks while coaching operators and material handlers on safe practices and standard work.

The role requires 3–5 years in manufacturing or cold storage, a lead/working-lead background, forklift experience, and willingness to work overtime in a cold environment.

Qualifications

• Must have high school diploma or GED and 3–5 years in manufacturing, food processing, frozen, or cold storage operations.
• Experience leading teams while performing production work (player-coach) and readiness to work overtime.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end production activities for the assigned shift in self-freezing operations.
• Execute daily production schedules and adjust labor, sequencing, and workflows in real time.
• Assign and reassign labor to balance workloads and maximize throughput.
• Operate production and self-freezing equipment to maintain flow and address bottlenecks.
• Monitor performance metrics such as downtime, scrap, and yield during the shift.
• Escalate risks or constraints to the Production Supervisor with recommended solutions.
• Provide hands-on leadership, coaching, and onboarding for operators and material handlers.
• Lead shift startup meetings, handoffs, and daily production communications.
• Troubleshoot equipment and process issues to minimize downtime and support improvements.
• Manage material flow, inventory counts, and shipping documentation as needed.
• Ensure safety, quality, and cold chain standards are upheld on the production floor.

Skills

Leadership

Team coaching

Player-coach

Safety awareness

Cold environment work

Overtime willingness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Forklift

Production equipment knowledge

Inventory processes

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