Lead Production

The Marzetti Company; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Marzetti Company is seeking a Production Lead to oversee daily production on the floor in Columbus, OH, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality output of food products. You will link Production Associates with supervision, providing hands-on leadership to maintain schedules and quality standards.

This role requires strong leadership, adherence to GMP/HACCP, and a focus on safe, sanitary operations in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience in manufacturing or food processing preferred.
• Ability to follow detailed instructions and procedures.
• Understanding of food safety standards and sanitation practices.
• Comfortable standing for long periods in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong leadership and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily activities on assigned production lines to ensure efficient workflow.
• Assign and coordinate tasks for Production Associates.
• Monitor production processes to ensure output meets schedule, quality, and safety standards.
• Support changeovers, startups, shutdowns, and continuous line operation.
• Ensure proper handling, palletizing, and movement of finished products to cold storage.
• Provide hands‑on leadership, guidance, and support to Production Associates.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, and a safe, productive work environment.
• Assist in training new employees on job duties, safety, and quality expectations.
• Address minor workforce issues and elevate concerns to the Production Supervisor as needed.
• Ensure GMPs, HACCP principles, and company food safety policies are followed.
• Monitor product quality throughout the production process.
• Identify, report, and respond to quality or food safety deviations immediately.
• Complete shift reports, production logs, and other required documentation.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary production area.

Skills

Leadership

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

About Us

The Marzetti Company (Nasdaq: MZTI) manufactures and sells specialty food products. Our retail brands include Marzetti® dressings and dips, New York Bakery™ garlic breads, and Sister Schubert's® dinner rolls, in addition to exclusive license agreements for Olive Garden® dressings, Chick-fil-A® sauces and dressings, Buffalo Wild Wings® sauces, Arby's® sauces, Subway® sauces, and Texas Roadhouse® steak sauces and frozen rolls. Our foodservice business supplies sauces, dressings, breads, and pasta to many of the top restaurant chains in the United States.

At Marzetti, our mission is to make every meal better through high-quality, flavorful food. Led by our purpose, to nourish growth with all that we do, our team members are dedicated to creating great tasting food and cultivating deep and lasting relationships.

About Us

The Marzetti Company (Nasdaq: MZTI) manufactures and sells specialty food products. Our retail brands include Marzetti® dressings and dips, New York Bakery™ garlic breads, and Sister Schubert's® dinner rolls, in addition to exclusive license agreements for Olive Garden® dressings, Chick-fil-A® sauces and dressings, Buffalo Wild Wings® sauces, Arby's® sauces, Subway® sauces, and Texas Roadhouse® steak sauces and frozen rolls. Our foodservice business supplies sauces, dressings, breads, and pasta to many of the top restaurant chains in the United States.

At Marzetti, our mission is to make every meal better through high-quality, flavorful food. Led by our purpose, to nourish growth with all that we do, our team members are dedicated to creating great tasting food and cultivating deep and lasting relationships.

Overview

The Production Lead is responsible for overseeing daily production activities on the production floor to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing of food products. This role serves as the primary link between Production Associates and supervision, providing hands‑on leadership, direction, and support to ensure production schedules, quality standards, and food safety requirements are consistently met. The Production Lead directs daily operations across both production lines while ensuring quality of the product, safety of the associates, and a clean and organized work area. This position plays a key role in keeping production running smoothly in a fast‑paced food manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily activities on assigned production lines to ensure efficient workflow
• Assign and coordinate tasks for Production Associates
• Monitor production processes to ensure output meets schedule, quality, and safety standards
• Support changeovers, startups, shutdowns, and continuous line operation
• Ensure proper handling, palletizing, and movement of finished products to cold storage
• Provide hands‑on leadership, guidance, and support to Production Associates
• Promote teamwork, accountability, and a safe, productive work environment
• Assist in training new employees on job duties, safety, and quality expectations
• Address minor workforce issues and elevate concerns to the Production Supervisor as needed
• Ensure compliance with GMPs, HACCP principles, and company food safety policies
• Monitor product quality throughout the production process
• Identify, report, and respond to quality or food safety deviations immediately
• Ensure accurate completion of required production and quality documentation
• Enforce all safety rules, procedures, and PPE requirements
• Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary production area
• Identify and report safety hazards, incidents, and near misses promptly
• Serve as the communication link between Production Associates and the Production Supervisor
• Provide real‑time updates on production issues, staffing needs, and equipment concerns
• Complete shift reports, production logs, and other required documentation
• Support effective shift handoffs to ensure continuity of operations

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous experience in a manufacturing or food processing environment is preferred.
• Ability to follow detailed instructions and procedures.
• Understanding food safety standards and sanitation practices.
• Comfortable standing for long periods and working in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong leadership and teamwork skills

Working Conditions/Environment

Works in amanufacturing environment where the employee is regularly required to speak, read, sit, stand, walk,climb, crouch,lift, reach, grasp and bend while moving about the facility . Must be able to move 75 pounds a distance of 25 feet or more at various frequencies and or intervals . Must be able to stand for an 8 – 1 2 hour shift (sometimes longer) with regular breaks while performing repetitive tasks . May be required to work overtime and/or weekends as needed . The employee may be exposed to non-ambient temperatures, odors, dust, oil, slippery floors,moving parts/equipment . The noise level is loud in the plant . Hearing protection, eye/face protection, hair/beard nets, steel-toed/slip-resistant shoes, and gloves are required as necessary in accordance with company GMP and safety standards.