Line Leader

Aerotek; Ankeny (IA); On-site; USD 57,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Union support

On-site training

Annual pay increase after 1 year

Job summary

Aerotek is seeking an East Room Foreperson to lead packaging lines in Ankeny, IA. You will supervise daily operations, coordinate line setup/changeovers, and mentor operators to ensure safety, quality, and throughput on the production floor.

This is a full-time, on-site role reporting to the packaging leadership, with a strong focus on continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Qualified as a Room Foreperson within 90 days.
• Pass Work Keys testing.
• If not qualified as Line Operator, pass the Line Operator written exam within 30 days.
• Proven supervisory and leadership skills in production or packaging.
• Strong coaching and employee development capabilities.
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude with production equipment systems.
• Ability to follow safety, quality, and cGMP standards.
• Experience leading packaging lines and changeovers.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations of packaging lines and work centers for safe production.
• Direct and monitor personnel to meet safety, quality, and production goals.
• Oversee equipment setup, operation, adjustments, and changeovers.
• Coordinate line start-up activities and line changes.
• Troubleshoot issues in real time to minimize downtime.
• Investigate downtime and implement corrective actions.
• Monitor line quality and product integrity; drive improvements.
• Support waste reduction and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Assist maintenance during repairs and adjustments.
• Train and mentor line operators on safety, quality, and procedures.
• Ensure OSHA, lockout/tagout, and food safety compliance.
• Maintain clear cross-team communication and documentation.
• Be the on-floor leadership resource for technical questions.

Skills

Supervisory leadership

Mechanical aptitude

Troubleshooting

Changeovers & setup

Quality & food safety

Safety regulations (OSHA, cGMP)

Coaching & employee development

Communication

Problem solving

Time management

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Room Foreperson qualification in 90 days

Pass Work Keys testing

Line Operator written exam within 30 days

Tools

Packaging line equipment

Equipment maintenance support

Job description

Job Title: East Room Foreperson – Packaging Line Leader Job Description

This role leads day-to-day operations of assigned packaging lines and work centers, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality production. You will coordinate people and equipment, oversee machine setup and changeovers, troubleshoot issues, and serve as the primary leadership resource on the production floor. The position requires strong mechanical aptitude, proven supervisory skills, and a commitment to continuous improvement in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the daily operations of assigned packaging lines and work centers to ensure safe and efficient production.
• Assign, direct, and monitor production personnel so that safety, quality, and production goals are consistently achieved.
• Oversee and perform equipment setup, operation, adjustments, and changeovers to maximize line efficiency and minimize downtime.
• Lead bottle size changes, line changeovers, startup activities, and line preparation before each production run.
• Troubleshoot production and equipment issues in real time to reduce downtime and maintain production schedules.
• Investigate equipment downtime and production problems, identify root causes, and implement effective corrective actions.
• Monitor packaging line quality standards, product integrity, and packaging specifications, and recommend process improvements to increase throughput.
• Promote and support waste reduction, increased efficiency, and continuous improvement initiatives across packaging operations.
• Assist with preventive maintenance activities and support maintenance personnel during equipment repairs and adjustments.
• Train, mentor, and develop line operators and packaging personnel on equipment operation, safety procedures, quality standards, and standard work practices.
• Ensure employees follow OSHA regulations, lockout/tagout procedures, food safety requirements, and cGMP standards.
• Maintain clear communication between departments, shifts, supervisors, and operations personnel to support smooth handoffs and consistent performance.
• Act as the primary point of contact for operators and serve as an on-floor leadership resource for technical and operational questions.
• Complete and maintain accurate production documentation, operational checks, quality records, and performance reports.
• Prioritize multiple tasks and coordinate the work of others to align with production plans and changing operational needs.

Essential Skills

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Ability to qualify as a Room Foreperson within 90 days.
• Ability to pass required Work Keys testing standards.
• If not already qualified as a Line Operator, ability to pass the company Line Operator written exam within 30 days.
• Proven supervisory and leadership skills in a production or packaging environment.
• Strong coaching and employee development capabilities.
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and understanding of production equipment systems.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem‑solving skills for equipment and process issues.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and effectively coordinate the work of others.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for interacting with cross‑functional teams and documenting activities.
• Strong organizational and time management skills in a fast-paced setting.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations relevant to production and quality checks.
• Solid understanding of machine setup, machine adjustments, and operational controls.
• Experience working with packaging lines, including setup, operation, and changeover coordination.
• Ability to ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, lockout/tagout procedures, food safety standards, and cGMP requirements.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience leading or supervising packaging lines or similar production operations.
• Hands‑on experience with troubleshooting machines and coordinating changeovers.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement practices and methodologies.
• Knowledge of SQF, GMP, and other food safety or quality frameworks.
• Mechanical aptitude with the ability to assist maintenance personnel during repairs and adjustments.
• Experience training and mentoring operators on equipment operation, safety, and quality procedures.
• Comfort working with documentation, production records, operational checks, and quality records.
• Ability to work a Monday–Thursday schedule from 3:15 p.m. to 1:45 a.m.

Why Work Here?

The organization offers a stable, direct placement opportunity with strong union support and benefits. You receive structured, on-site training tailored to your responsibilities, including how to use tooling and operate or set up equipment and machinery. Employees enjoy unique perks, such as monthly access to a dedicated spice room where they can fill a grocery bag with spices for a low flat fee. The company rewards tenure and performance, providing an automatic 10% pay increase after one year of service. The culture emphasizes safety, skill development, and long‑term career growth in a supportive manufacturing environment.

Work Environment

This position operates in a manufacturing plant environment with frequent exposure to moving mechanical parts, airborne particles from spices, and motorized vehicles such as forklifts or other material‑handling equipment. There is a strong spice aroma throughout and around the facility, which employees typically acclimate to after about a week. The role involves working on and around packaging lines and production equipment, following strict safety, food safety, and cGMP standards. The shift schedule is Monday through Thursday, 3:15 p.m. to 1:45 a.m., supporting extended production hours in a structured, process‑driven environment.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Ankeny, IA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $63752.00 - $63752.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Ankeny,IA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 22, 2026.

About Aerotek

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.