Lead, Bakery- Production- 1st Shift

Aspire Bakeries LLC; Newark (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Life insurance

Paid time off

Parental leave

HSA/FSA

Job summary

Aspire Bakeries LLC is seeking a Production Lead for our Newark, California bakery. You will coordinate daily production activities, support frontline employees, and ensure quality, safety, and productivity standards are met. This role links Production Supervisors with staff to drive operational excellence on the floor.

We offer a positive culture and opportunities for growth within a leading bakery company. Join a team that values integrity and collaboration across all shifts.

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent bakery manufacturing experience.
• Knowledge of food safety, GMP, quality, and sanitation standards.
• Ability to lead and coordinate production employees in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate daily production activities to meet quality, safety, and productivity goals.
• Train, mentor, and support team members while providing performance-related feedback to Supervisors.
• Oversee equipment setup, start-up, operation, and shutdown to ensure efficient production flow.
• Monitor compliance with GMP, HACCP, food safety, and quality assurance requirements.
• Partner with Maintenance and cross-functional teams to troubleshoot and resolve operational issues.
• Ensure accurate completion of production documentation and operational records.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and production-ready work environment while preparing the next shift for success.

Skills

Verbal communication

Team collaboration

Food safety knowledge

GMP knowledge

Sanitation standards

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Hungry for a career that's as rewarding as it is delicious?

At Aspire Bakeries, we don't just bake breads, cookies, and cakes - we create foods that bring people together. From La Brea Bakery artisan breads to Otis Spunkmeyer cookies, our products are enjoyed by millions of people every day. And behind every bite are talented manufacturing and support teams who take pride in their work and our food.

We're looking for hard-working people who will bring integrity, creativity, and a passion for excellence to everything they do - whether that's on the bakery floor, in the office, or supporting customers. In return, we offer a workplace culture built on care, ownership, and growth - where your contributions matter and your career can rise as high as our bread loaves!

With 13 commercial bakeries across North America and a reputation as an industry leader, Aspire Bakeries is rising together with our people and our customers to be the best all-around bakery solution. If you're ready to grow with us, we'd love to hear from you

Why You'll Love Working At Aspire Bakeries

• Culture - Our culture thrives on collaboration, diversity, and a shared passion for excellence. We support team members, empower growth, and encourage everyone to bring their authentic selves to work.
• Health & Wellness - Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus company-paid life insurance and additional voluntary options to fit your needs.
• Work-Life Balance - Paid parental leave, generous paid time off, and holidays so you can recharge and spend time on what matters most.
• Financial Security - Competitive retirement plans, plus short- and long-term disability coverage for peace of mind.
• Growth & Development - Opportunities to build skills, grow your career, and develop expertise through Aspire Bakeries' learning and development programs.
• Flexibility & Support - HSA and FSA plans to help you manage everyday expenses.
• Recognition & Rewards - Performance incentive plans that celebrate achievements across sales, bakery performance, and individual contributions.

About the Role

We are seeking a Production Lead to join our team at our Newark, California bakery. As a Production Lead, you will be accountable for coordinating daily production activities, supporting frontline employees, and ensuring quality, safety, and productivity standards are consistently achieved. This role serves as the primary link between Production Supervisors and production staff while helping drive operational excellence across the production floor.

Shift & Schedule

• Shift: 1st Shift
• Weekend Availability: May be required based on production needs.

Compensation

Hourly Rate: $25.00 - $28.00 per hour

Core Accountabilities (What You'll Be Doing)

• Lead and coordinate daily production activities to meet quality, safety, and productivity goals.
• Train, mentor, and support team members while providing performance-related feedback to Supervisors.
• Oversee equipment setup, start-up, operation, and shutdown to ensure efficient production flow.
• Monitor compliance with GMP, HACCP, food safety, and quality assurance requirements.
• Partner with Maintenance and cross-functional teams to troubleshoot and resolve operational issues.
• Ensure accurate completion of production documentation and operational records.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and production-ready work environment while preparing the next shift for success.

Minimum Qualifications (What You Bring to the Table)

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent bakery manufacturing experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in large-scale baking or food manufacturing operations.
• Ability to lead and coordinate production employees in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong verbal communication and team collaboration skills.
• Knowledge of food safety, GMP, quality, and sanitation standards.
• Ability to identify operational issues and elevate concerns appropriately.
• Ability to work in a production environment and support multiple operational processes.

Preferred Qualifications (Extra Ingredients for Success)

• Demonstrated experience training, coaching, or mentoring manufacturing employees.
• Specialized knowledge of bakery production processes and equipment.
• Understanding of 21 CFR 117 Subpart B Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs).
• Experience with HACCP, Preventive Controls, and Prerequisite Programs.
• Experience coordinating production schedules, staffing, and shift handoffs.

Aspire Bakeries LLC values the contribution each Team Member brings to our organization. The final determination of a successful candidate's starting pay will vary based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, location, shift, education, skill, and experience within the job or the industry. The pay scale listed for this position is generally for candidates that meet the specified qualifications and requirements listed in this specific job description. Additional pay may be determined for those candidates that exceed these specified qualifications and requirements. We provide a competitive compensation package that recognizes your experience, credentials, and education alongside a robust benefits program to meet your needs. For union-represented postings, wage rates and ranges are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Aspire Bakeries is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, assess, or select applicants.