Production Lead

Thrive Freeze Dry; Oak Creek (WI); On-site; USD 35,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Thrive Freeze Dry in Oak Creek, WI is seeking a Production Lead for a busy freeze-dried manufacturing environment. You will supervise and coach production team members, plan daily activities, and ensure safety, quality, and efficiency across the line.

Responsibilities include tracking performance, reporting to the Production Supervisor, and driving continuous improvement through standard work, training, and effective communication with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Ideally with leadership experience in a production/manufacturing setting.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate employees while achieving results through others.
• Ability to think strategically, plan proactively, and develop action plans to achieve objectives.
• Proven ability to balance safety, quality, productivity, cost, and employee relations.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and support production team members to ensure operational excellence.
• Plan, assign, and monitor daily production activities.
• Implement company policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Recommend improvements to production methods, equipment, and processes.
• Foster positive employee relations through coaching, mentoring, and development.
• Participate in employment-related decisions and performance management activities.
• Balance quality, productivity, cost, safety, and morale to achieve departmental goals.
• Manage departmental performance metrics and visual controls.
• Maintain quality control documentation and production records.
• Provide regular progress updates and reports to the Production Supervisor.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives throughout the department.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Change Management

Communication

Communication Escalation

Critical Thinking

Cross-Training

Documentation

Emotional Intelligence

Employee Relations

Microsoft Office

Process & Policy Development

Productivity Management

Relationship Building

Safety Culture

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

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.

Freeze Dry - Pet Regular Full-Time Manual Labor Oak Creek, WI, US

Salary Range: $25.25 To $26.25 Hourly

Reports To: Production Supervisor

The ideal candidate will possess and demonstrate Thrive Freeze Dry's core values:

The Production Lead supervises production team members in a freeze-dried manufacturing and/or retail packaging environment. This role plans and assigns work, implements policies and procedures, and recommends improvements to production methods, equipment, operating procedures, and working conditions.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supervise and support production team members to ensure operational excellence.
• Plan, assign, and monitor daily production activities.
• Implement company policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Recommend improvements to production methods, equipment, and processes.
• Foster positive employee relations through coaching, mentoring, and employee development.
• Participate in employment-related decisions and performance management activities.
• Balance quality, productivity, cost, safety, and employee morale to achieve departmental goals.
• Manage departmental performance metrics and visual controls.
• Maintain quality control documentation and production records.
• Provide regular progress updates and reports to the Production Supervisor.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives throughout the department.

Living Thrive Values

Demonstrates the characteristics and behaviors of an individual who embodies Thrive Freeze Dry's core values: Accountability, Continuous Improvement, Integrity, Personal Growth & Wellness, Teamwork, and Work-Life Balance.

Skills

Attention to Detail
Completes tasks accurately and efficiently while maintaining a high level of attention to detail.

Change Management
Supports the development, implementation, and launch of new ideas, processes, and initiatives while training others on best practices.

Communication
Possesses strong verbal and written communication skills and can explain complex concepts in a clear and understandable manner.

Communication Escalation
Recognizes issues requiring leadership involvement and appropriately escalates concerns to management.

Critical Thinking
Uses sound judgment to evaluate situations, solve problems, and make informed decisions.

Cross-Training
Actively shares knowledge and trains team members to promote operational flexibility and skill development.

Documentation
Maintains accurate records, documentation, and departmental reporting.

Emotional Intelligence
Demonstrates strong self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management skills.

Employee Relations
Provides coaching and development, assists with employment decisions, and helps resolve employee concerns effectively.

Microsoft Office
Proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Word, and other Microsoft Office applications.

Process & Policy Development
Develops, documents, and improves processes and policies to strengthen operational effectiveness and internal controls.

Productivity Management
Balances quality, productivity, cost, safety, and morale to achieve positive business results while driving continuous improvement.

Relationship Building
Collaborates effectively across departments to maintain productive working relationships.

Safety Culture
Promotes a safety-first culture through communication, accountability, and continuous improvement initiatives focused on preventing workplace incidents.

Requirements

Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate employees while achieving results through others.

Ability to think strategically, plan proactively over a 30-day time horizon, and develop action plans to achieve objectives.

Proven ability to balance and achieve positive results in the areas of:

• Safety
• Quality
• Productivity
• Cost Control
• Employee Relations

Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.

Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Ability to coach, mentor, and develop team members effectively.

Food Safety Requirements

• Place a high priority on food safety, quality, and sanitation by understanding and following Thrive Freeze Dry's food safety and sanitation policies and procedures.
• Hold yourself and others accountable for food safety and sanitation standards by communicating any food safety incident, observation, or opportunity for improvement to leadership or team members.
• In the absence of the Production Manager or Production Supervisor, serve as a backup to ensure food safety, quality objectives, and SQF system requirements are met.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.
• Frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling.
• Approximately 20% or more of time spent sitting.
• Approximately 50% or more of time spent walking.
• Approximately 50% or more of time spent standing.
• Work performed in a food manufacturing and production environment with frequent temperature variations.
• Unrestricted visual and hearing abilities are required to ensure workplace safety.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.

Product Safety & Quality

• Place a high priority on food safety, quality, and sanitation by understanding and following Thrive Freeze Dry's food safety, quality, and sanitation policies and procedures.
• Hold yourself and others accountable for food safety, quality, and sanitation standards by communicating any incidents, observations, or opportunities for improvement.
• Adhere to and ensure compliance with all Product Safety and Quality standards.
• Adhere to and ensure compliance with GMP requirements regarding food-contact packaging.
• Adhere to Thrive Freeze Dry's food safety, product defense, and quality standards while ensuring compliance with all SQF system requirements and quality objectives.