Lead Operator

Advance American Labs; Stonecrest (GA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Advance American Labs in Stonecrest, GA is seeking a Lead Operator to manage a 12-hour packaging line, set up, run, and change over the line, and train operators toward sign-off on the Production Training Matrix.

The role reports to the Production Manager and requires extensive line documentation, GMP adherence, and the ability to escalate issues to ensure line performance. The position includes weekend hours as production requires.

Qualifications

• 18 years of age or older; authorized to work in the U.S. now and in the future without sponsorship
• High school diploma or GED
• 3+ years of packaging or production experience, including at least 1 year leading or training operators on a line
• Tier III on the AAL Production Training Matrix, or equivalent competence with sign-off to Tier III within 90 days of appointment (one extension of up to 30 days on a written training plan; if Tier III is not met, the employee returns to an operator role)
• Able to perform changeovers and line clearance to a written standard and to complete GMP batch documentation accurately

Responsibilities

• Set up and start the line on time with the right components, labels, codes and settings for the batch; run any of the five machines as needed to keep the line moving
• Perform changeovers between products and sizes to the standard, and line clearance before every start, with records completed and checked
• Monitor output, quality checks and downtime through the shift; stop the line and escalates when product, safety or documentation is at risk
• Assign operators to stations at shift start within the staffing the Team Lead sets; cover breaks and rotations and keep the line staffed through the shift
• Give clear, respectful direction; raise attendance, conduct or performance concerns to the Team Lead and Production Manager the same day
• Hand over in writing at shift end: output, holds, open issues and maintenance needs

Skills

Line leadership

GMP documentation

Attention to detail

English proficiency

Safety awareness

Data entry on tablet/terminal

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Forklift

Job description

About the Company

Advance American Labs (AAL) is a research, development and manufacturing facility in Stonecrest, GA, just outside Atlanta. The 40,000 sq ft site houses laboratory and manufacturing operations under one roof and compounds, fills and packages hair and skin care products under cGMP. AAL is an equal opportunity employer.

About the Job

The Lead Operator leads a packaging or machine line through the shift. Working under the crew's Production Team Lead, the role sets up, runs and changes over the line, directs the operators assigned to it, performs line clearance, keeps batch and line documentation right the first time, trains operators toward sign-off on the AAL Production Training Matrix, and is the line's first escalation point ahead of the Team Lead and the Production Manager.

This is an appointed role, not a skill tier. It requires Tier III on the matrix: all five machines (Filler, Labeler, Hand Capping, Lot Coder, Tape Machine), Line Clearance, Documentation, Changeovers and Trains Others signed off, and qualification on two or more of the six lines. The Lead Operator does not hire, discipline or set pay; those decisions sit with the Production Manager and HR.

Full-time, non-exempt, on 12-hour shifts on an assigned crew schedule, including Saturdays and additional hours as production requires. Reports to the Production Manager.

Daily Responsibilities

• Set up and start the line on time with the right components, labels, codes and settings for the batch; run any of the five machines as needed to keep the line moving
• Perform changeovers between products and sizes to the standard, and line clearance before every start, with records completed and checked
• Monitor output, quality checks and downtime through the shift; stop the line and escalates when product, safety or documentation is at risk
• Assign operators to stations at shift start within the staffing the Team Lead sets; cover breaks and rotations and keep the line staffed through the shift
• Give clear, respectful direction; raise attendance, conduct or performance concerns to the Team Lead and Production Manager the same day
• Hand over in writing at shift end: output, holds, open issues and maintenance needs
• Train operators on the five machines, line clearance and documentation to the standard work; take each through the matrix stages and recommend sign-off to the Production Manager
• Build backup coverage of at least three signed-off operators for every machine, competency and line
• Complete batch records, line logs and quality checks accurately and on time; verify operators' entries
• Apply GMP practices on the line (hygiene, gowning, component control, label reconciliation) and raise deviations immediately to Quality and the Production Manager
• Perform operator-level equipment care (cleaning and basic adjustments), report faults to Maintenance through the Production Manager, and keep the line and staging areas to 5S standards

Requirements of the Role

• 18 years of age or older; authorized to work in the U.S. now and in the future without sponsorship
• High school diploma or GED
• 3 or more years of packaging or production experience, including at least 1 year leading or training operators on a line
• Tier III on the AAL Production Training Matrix, or equivalent competence with sign-off to Tier III within 90 days of appointment (one extension of up to 30 days on a written training plan; if Tier III is not met, the employee returns to an operator role)
• Able to perform changeovers and line clearance to a written standard and to complete GMP batch documentation accurately
• Basic math for counts, yields and reconciliation; comfortable with a tablet or terminal for records
• Proficiency in English: reading, understanding and communicating work instructions, safety information and quality documentation
• Able to work 12-hour shifts on an assigned crew schedule, including Saturdays, and additional hours as production requires
• Standing and walking for 12-hour shifts; lifting up to 30 lbs; pushing and pulling up to 50 lbs; occasional bending, squatting and reaching; repetitive hand and wrist motion (hand capping)
• Able to read labels, codes and gauges; able to work in hot, cold, noisy, dusty or wet conditions around high-speed machinery
• Able to wear safety shoes, safety glasses, hearing protection, hair/beard net and gloves, and to follow GMP hygiene and grooming standards

Additional Qualifications

• Experience in cosmetics, personal care, food or pharmaceutical packaging
• Forklift certification
• Spanish language skills