Production Lead

The Magnum Ice Cream Company; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market-competitive pay

Flexible working

Wellbeing support

Time off

Job summary

The Magnum Ice Cream Company is seeking a Production Lead to oversee the safe, efficient manufacturing operations from incoming materials to finished goods. You will drive capacity planning, meet performance targets, and foster a culture of continuous improvement in a unionized setting.

We value hands-on leadership, technical development, and the ability to coach teams while delivering cost and quality improvements in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field.
• 5–8 years leadership experience in FMCG manufacturing operations.
• Strong people leadership experience in a unionized environment.
• Proven track record delivering operational performance improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead all manufacturing and conversion operations from material receipt through processing, packing, and finished goods handover.
• Define production capacity and constraints to support short- and long-term planning.
• Ensure achievement of volume, service, quality, cost, and sustainability targets.
• Drive operational discipline and embed TPM/UMS methodologies.

Skills

FMCG leadership

People leadership (unionized)

Operational improvements

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Manufacturing/Operations Management

Tools

SAP ERP

APICS CPIM/CSCP

Job description

Life tastes better with ice cream

With 19.000 expert ice cream colleagues and iconic brands like Wall’s, Cornetto and Ben & Jerry’s, loved in 76 countries, we are the world’s largest Ice Cream company leading the industry.

We create iconic ice cream brands that are part of everyday life, bringing moments of joy to millions of people around the world. Everybody loves ice cream. And as the world’s biggest pure-play ice cream company, we have the scale and ambition to make a real difference.

What Truly Sets Us Apart Is How We Work.

We move fast and keep things simple. We turn ideas into action, trust people to take ownership, and work as one team to win together with integrity. Our culture is high‑performance, collaborative and focused on getting things done.

We’re curious and ready for what’s next. We embrace digital, use data to make better decisions, and keep learning, including how AI can help us work smarter and serve consumers better.

The Production Lead is accountable for the safe, efficient, and cost-effective operation of the manufacturing processes within the sourcing unit. The role ensures delivery of production commitments across safety, quality, service, cost, and sustainability objectives while driving operational excellence through continuous improvement and people development.

What you’ll be responsible for

Operational Leadership

• Lead all manufacturing and conversion operations from material receipt through processing, packing, and finished goods handover.
• Define production capacity and operational constraints to support short- and long-term planning.
• Ensure achievement of volume, service, quality, cost, and sustainability targets.
• Drive operational discipline and embed TPM/UMS methodologies.

Safety, Health & Environment

• Ensure full compliance with company and regulatory SHE requirements.
• Lead a strong safety culture within manufacturing teams.
• Ensure safe operating procedures and risk controls are implemented and maintained.

Continuous Improvement & Performance

• Deliver OEE improvements, waste reduction, and cost-saving initiatives.
• Lead manufacturing excellence projects and debottlenecking activities.
• Drive performance management through KPI reviews and action planning.

People Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop production teams.
• Build technical capability in products, processes, and packaging technologies.
• Foster a high-performance, inclusive culture in a unionized environment.
• Develop succession plans and strengthen frontline leadership capability.

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field.
• 5-8 years leadership experience in FMCG manufacturing operations.
• Strong people leadership experience in a unionized environment.
• Proven track record delivering operational performance improvements.

Desirable

WCM/TPM/Lean certification or experience.

• SAP ERP experience.
• APICS CPIM/CSCP certification.

What You’ll Get

• Market-competitive pay and performance related rewards
• Flexible ways of working
• Support for health, wellbeing and life outside of work
• Time off to rest and recharge
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities

Why join us?

This is a place for people who are passionate about ice cream and are growth obsessed - both for the business and for themselves. People who act like an owner and drive our business end-to-end. People who are driven by success to deliver more than we ever thought we could!

You’ll thrive here if you value an inclusive culture, with low ego and hierarchy - and if you’re excited to continuously learn and challenge how we work, using digital, data, and new thinking to push us forward.

• Roles with real accountability and visible impact
• Free to move fast, experiment and challenge how things are done
• Continuous learning and development as the business grows
• Reward linked to performance and contribution.

Your career here is shaped by what you deliver, as you work across functions and markets and grow with the business.

Ready to build the future of Ice Cream

If you are an individual with a disability and require assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please let your Talent Acquisition Partner know.

Additional Information

The Magnum Ice Cream Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can do their best work regardless of age, disability, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.