Production Lead - 1st Shift

US Waffle Company, Inc.; Liberty (SC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

US Waffle Company, Inc. is seeking a 1st shift supervisor to help keep production running safely, efficiently, and at top quality. The role oversees hourly line staff on a 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM shift with frequent overtime and weekend work.

You will lead meetings, coordinate tasks, ensure safety and GMP compliance, and maintain hands-on knowledge of line equipment. This hands-on role rewards reliability, teamwork, and a commitment to manufacturing excellence.

Qualifications

• Willingness to work weekends
• Moderate mechanical aptitude
• Ability to learn Plex software

Responsibilities

• Facilitate line-specific team meetings.
• Demonstrate setup and operation of line equipment.
• Clarify duties and tasks for team members.
• Lead safety practices, ensure proper PPE usage and address hazards.
• Update daily handoff boards.
• Manage staffing to balance productivity and overtime.
• Direct and train hourly staff, coordinate daily activities.
• Document issues and incidents and escalate to Shift Manager/HR.
• Maintain 85% floor and 15% admin presence.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Team leadership

Safety leadership

Communication

Mechanical aptitude

Tools

Plex

Job description

Join our team at US Waffle Company and play a critical role in keeping production running safely, efficiently, and at the highest quality standards.

1st Shift - 6 AM until 2:30 PM

8 hours shifts and some OT and weekends

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Facilitate team meetings for respective line.
• Demonstrates basic set up and operational knowledge of all line related equipment
• Ensure that team members understand their duties or delegated tasks.
• Demonstrate Safety leadership - Enforce safe work practices by requiring proper PPE usage and correcting unsafe conditions.
• Update communication boards for daily “hot” handoffs.
• Manage department staffing plan to ensure optimal productivity and control unnecessary over time.
• Direct hourly production staff by training, coordinating, and verifying daily activities within assigned areas.
• Documents any team member issues, altercations, and accidents and reports them to the Shift Manager along with Human Resources immediately.
• Must maintain 85% floor presence and 15% admin presence.
• Perform related duties as assigned by supervisor.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• Must be willing to work weekends when needed.
• Computer skills – ability to learn specific software programs (Plex) to access paperwork, program equipment for running specific products, produce labels, etc.
• Moderate mechanical aptitude is needed.

Physical and Safety Requirements:

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 70 lbs.
• Complies with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s) and all other food safety requirements.
• Complies with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE’s) requirements.
• Constant walking and standing.
• Frequent bending, stooping, squatting, pushing, lifting and climbing.
• Position will require working in very hot and cold conditions.
• Other conditions include flour dust, wet floors, occasional smoke and fumes if product burns.