Lead Production Operator

United Petfood; Decatur (AR); On-site; USD 39,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

United Petfood is hiring a Lead Production Operator in Decatur, AR. This full-time, night-shift role runs Monday through Friday, 10:00 PM to 6:30 AM, with a $28 per hour base pay plus a $1.00 night-shift differential.

The position focuses on packaging and processing, equipment setup, and ensuring GMP-compliant operations. The role includes supervising and training staff, managing timekeeping, and reporting to the Area Manager.

Qualifications

• Must be able to read and understand English to follow work instructions.
• Strong safety mindset and attention to detail are essential.
• Experience with packaging and processing equipment is required.

Responsibilities

• Set up, operate, and disassemble packaging and processing equipment per SOPs and GMPs.
• Lead shift huddles and communicate production goals and safety topics.
• Manage timecards and attendance in collaboration with Area Manager.
• Train and onboard new hires for job-specific tasks and safety procedures.
• Ensure production lines run smoothly and efficiently during the shift.
• Maintain records and logs for packaging and processing activities.

Skills

Safety mindset

Team leadership

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Mechanical aptitude

Ability to work under schedule

Flexible / adaptable

Education

Technical education with analytical focus

Tools

Forklift certification

Packaging equipment experience

WMS/ERP familiarity

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Lead Production Operator

Packaging Full Time Decatur, AR, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1249

Job Title:Production Lead

Job Type: Full-time

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday

Hours: 10:00 PM - 6:30 AM

Pay:$28 per hour - Night shift $1.00 shift differential

About United Petfood:

United Petfood is a private label producer of high-quality dry & wet pet food, biscuits and snacks. We are a Belgian family business with 25 high-tech pet kitchens in Europe and the US.

Joining us, means joining an international, passionate and driven team with one common goal: a healthy planet filled with healthy pets! But it doesn’t stop there: we truly care about building encouraging, supportive, long-lasting partnerships, both inside as well as outside of our fast-growing family company. By only working with the very best ingredients and most innovative technology available, we ensure a spot in which you can grow, bloom and make thousands of pets happy worldwide!

This is a multi-faceted role in that it is responsible for correctly, safely and efficiently packaging production. Must be able to operate, troubleshoot packaging equipment according to scheduled production needs. Set-up, operate and disassemble, processing equipment in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures and GMPs. Operate processing equipment, grinding, batching, extrusion, drying, coating, fresh meat according to scheduled production needs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Experienced in setting up and operation of packaging equipment and processing equipment
• Experienced with equipment and use of tools to do change over’s in Packaging and Processing
• Experience with Video Jet printers
• Experience in maintaining records and logs during packaging and Processing
• Experienced in processing and Packaging quality checks on Red Zone
• Must be trained in IFS, Wonderware, WMS, Red Zone.
• Observe and assure all Techs maintain safe, efficient machine operation on all production lines
• Must be able to operate and disassemble, processing and packaging equipment in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures and GMPs
• Experience with Outlook 365 so production updates and summaries are sent to the leadership team
• Follow and hold others accountable for following all company Good Manufacturing Practices.
• All other duties as assigned

Lead & Administrative Responsibilities:

• May require weekend coverage based on production needs.
• Review and manage employee timecards, including:
• Submitting time-off requests in the system in partnership with the Area Manager prior to approval.
• Ensuring required timekeeping documentation is accurately completed and submitted to HR.
• Reviewing and submitting temporary employee timecards.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with scheduled break and lunch times.
• Responsible for distributing employee paychecks and required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Support attendance tracking by completing attendance-related documentation and write-ups and assisting with other corrective action documentation as directed by the Area Manager.
• Train and onboard new hires, including job‑specific tasks, safety practices, and production expectations.
• Ensure assigned production line runs smoothly and efficiently during the shift.
• Lead and facilitate shift huddles to communicate production goals, safety topics, and key updates.

Workplace Safety:

• Completes safety system documentation and verifies compliance to program standards. Reports deviations to Supervisor.
• Participates in mandatory safety trainings and adheres to all safety policies
• Required to report all safety issues, near misses, and injuries

Quality & Food Safety:

• Complete quality and food safety system documentation and verifies compliance to program standards. Reports deviations to Supervisor.
• Responsible to participate in mandatory food safety and quality training program requirements.
• Preserve the integrity of the BRC system through adherence to the policies and procedures outlined in the Quality Policy Manual. Takes actions necessary to resolve food safety and quality system deficiencies.
• Required to report food safety and quality system failures and take actions necessary to preserve the BRC system.

Required Qualifications:

• Understands plant process flow.
• Positive attitude, safety mindset, strong work ethic, team builder/flexible, customer and quality focused, not easily frustrated, desire to work hands on and excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Must be able to read and understand English to be able to communicate with Supervisor/Manager and comprehend work instructions.
• Dependable with ability to work with minimal supervision
• Forklift experience and/or certification
• Sound understanding and/or experience/aptitude with packaging systems and conveying equipment
• Demonstrate mechanical aptitude
• Demonstrate ability to communicate effectively and in a positive manner
• Demonstrate ability to work well in teams and as a leader when Supervisor is absent
• Demonstrate willingness to assume extended job responsibility and exercise good judgment in decision making
• Must possess effective written and oral communication skills and be able to handle multiple projects within limited time frames
• Excellent attention to detail
• Able to work according to production schedule, overtime may be required
• Strong inter-personal and team building skills
• Sufficient computer skills to operate and adjust machine to meet product specifications.
• Ability to lift 35-50 pounds, stand, walk, push/pull up to 50 pounds, reach overhead, and bend to the floor
• Some form of technical education which emphasizes strong analytical thinking preferred

Equal Opportunity Employer:United Petfood Producers USA Inc. is an equal opportunity workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.