Lead Production Operator

White Castle; Ohio; Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick pay

Tuition Reimbursement

Dental & Vision

Life & AD&D

Paid Holiday

Paid Breaks

Incentive programs/bonus

Shift premium

Paid vacation

Medical, dental & life insurance

Weekly paychecks

401K & profit sharing plans

Promote from within

Job summary

White Castle is seeking a Production Lead Operator for the 3rd shift (10:00pm–8:00am) to support operations in our bakery bun production. You will lead production teams, ensure quality, safety, and efficient equipment operation across mixers, extruders, ovens, and packaging lines.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED, familiarity with HACCP/SSOP/GMP, and experience in production environments. Proficiency with ERP/WMS and MS Office is expected; forklift operation is required.

Qualifications

• HS diploma or GED required.
• Baking industry experience preferred.
• Ability to operate each equipment piece.
• Strong interpersonal and positive demeanor.
• Knowledge of production, sanitation, quality, and safety.
• Good verbal communication and ability to direct and motivate team.
• Team oriented, able to follow detailed instructions.
• Willing to learn, train others on equipment and safety procedures.
• Able to work in fast-paced environment.
• Able to operate forklift.
• ERP/WMS knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Operate mixer to produce dough for buns.
• Operate extruder to produce dough pieces.
• Perform quality control inspections of production.
• Direct production work and supervise operators.
• Set and adjust proof box and ovens; adjust dough.
• Train employees to operate machines.
• Ensure proper dough and pan quality.
• Operate packaging machines and palletize.
• Store packaged product using palletizer and forklift.
• Ensure safety and compliance with policies.

Skills

Team leadership

Communication

Safety & HACCP

Equipment operation

Troubleshooting

Employee training

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

ERP/WMS software

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Description:

When what you Crave is a job that combines creative, challenging and ever-changing work with an experienced, inclusive team committed to create memorable moments every day, only White Castle hits the spot!

We’re America’s first fast-food hamburger chain with more than a century of service to a nation of Cravers. But we’re not satisfied with an impressive past. We’ve got our eye on an even tastier future, and we want you to be part of it! White Castle is always looking for passionate, energetic, results driven people to join our teams, so

3rd shift - 10:00pm - 8am

The Production Lead Operator assists the Operations Supervisor and Plant Manager in plant operations to produce quality baked White Castle buns. The Production Lead Operator shall be responsible for operations of the production department and safety of the production team members in the absence of a Supervisor. The Production Lead Operator will at times work in the positions as operators for breaks, lunches, or shortage of team members when the need arises. Production Lead Operators are expected to uphold and demonstrate the Company’s Core Values. This position description does not contain a comprehensive list of required duties and responsibilities. The Production Lead Operator is expected to perform related duties assigned by management, which may be added, revised, or eliminated based on business and operational needs, with or without advance notice. Production Lead Operators must follow the direction and guidance of the Assistant Operations Supervisor and the Plant Manager.

What we're looking for:

• High School Diploma or GED required;
• Previous training and experience in the baking industry obtained through education or experience is preferred;
• Must know how each piece of equipment operates;
• Good interpersonal and human relations skills with ability to maintain a positive professional demeanor accepting responsibility and willingness to learn;
• Knowledge, training, and experience with production, sanitation, quality, and safety;
• Good verbal communication skills and the ability to effectively give clear instructions to direct and motivate team members;
• Must have good employee relation skills, be team oriented, work well with others, and be able to give and receive direction and to follow clear and detailed instructions;
• Acquire knowledge through training and coach and train others on equipment procedures and workplace health & safety procedures;
• Efficiently work and respond in a fast-paced environment to meet operational demands;
• Ability to diagnose production problems and work schedules;
• Good understanding of HACCP, SSOP, GMPs, and knowledge of FDA regulations;
• Proficient computer experience with knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and warehouse management software (ERP/WMS);
• Ability to successfully complete on-the-job training and/or AIB courses.

Your day-to-day:

• Operate mixer to produce consistent dough for development of the White Castle bun;
• Operate extruder to produce consistent dough pieces for development of the White Castle buns;
• Make quality control inspections of the entire production process;
• Direct production work and direct production operators in a fair, positive, and constructive manner;
• Check and set equipment such as the proof box and oven and make dough adjustments when necessary;
• Train employees to operate machines;
• Final checker to ensure that there is no excessive flour in pans and that dough balls are properly panned;
• Operate packaging machines including stacker, baggers, and box machine to bag and box all good quality baked product for palletizing and shipment;
• Operate palletizer and fork truck to store packaged product for selection and shipment by the shipping department;
• Carton stripping to sort through bad corrugated cartons for re-use in the box machine;
• Ability to function efficiently in any of the production line positions which is acquired through observation and hands on experience;
• Must be able to operate a forklift;
• Utilize ERP system to track finished good;
• Perform housekeeping duties as needed;
• Attend various training classes or seminars as recommended by management;
• Comply with incident reporting policies and procedures;
• Ensure adherence to plant’s security and safety policies and procedures, and a safe working environment for all Team Members;
• Communicate effectively with customers and all levels of the organization in a professional manner, display a positive demeanor and be responsive to team members’ needs; and
• Must be flexible to work hours to meet the needs of the plant including any shift, overtime, weekends, and holidays.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

• Ability to bend, turn, twist, climb, stoop, and stand;
• Frequent lifting up to 50 lbs. assisted;
• Capability to work in an environment with frequent exposure to flour dust, extreme cold, wet, hot, or dusty and other elements;
• Wearing of safety gear including safety glasses, and other various types of safety gear supplied by the company;
• Frequent periods of standing and walking; and
• Ability to hear, comprehend, and professionally respond to co-worker inquiries, comments, and concerns.

Pay Rate: $27.40 hourly

Benefits while working at White Castle:

• Sick pay
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Dental & Vision
• Life & AD&D
• Paid Holiday
• Paid Breaks
• Incentive programs/bonus
• Shift premium
• Paid vacation
• Medical, dental & life insurance
• Weekly paychecks
• 401K & profit sharing plans
• Promote from within practice
• And more!!

White Castle is an Equal Opportunity Employer

White Castle will, upon request, offer a reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or any applicable state or local law. Should you need assistance with completing this application or with any other part of the application process, please contact Team Member Services at [e-mail].

Company Information:

At White Castle, a job can become so much more than a paycheck. It can grow into a lasting and meaningful career. For more than 100 years, we've believed what our founder, Billy Ingram, said best: "Happy employees make happy customers." It's a philosophy that's guided us for generations and continues to shape how we support our team members today.

Along the way, our Original Slider® was named as Time Magazine’s "Most Influential Burger of All Time," we were recognized as one of Fast Company's "10 Most Innovative Dining Companies," and have earned Great Place To Work Certification™ every year since 2021, and an honoree on the Fortune Best Workplaces in Retail™ list since 2022.

If this sounds like your kind of place, we’d love to hear from you.