Production Lead Assistant - Line 1 - Forming

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc.; Carthage (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. in Carthage, MO is seeking a Production Lead Assistant for Line 1 - Forming. You will support the lead to achieve daily targets, ensure a safe and efficient line, and help develop a highly engaged team.

The role requires adherence to food safety regulations and continuous improvement initiatives. Responsibilities include SOP/GMP/HACCP compliance, equipment adjustments, record keeping, and training of staff.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• At least 1 year of experience in a food manufacturing environment or similar.
• Ability to communicate effectively, in writing and verbally.
• Reliable and self-driven with minimal supervision.
• Forklift/Pallet jack certification required.

Responsibilities

• Assist the lead to deliver operational targets and manage an engaged production team.
• Follow SOPs, GMPs, HACCP and maintain safety and quality standards.
• Operate and assist with equipment setup, adjustments and lockout/tagout as required.
• Maintain daily production records and inventories.
• Train employees and complete required production reports.

Skills

High school diploma

Food manufacturing experience

Verbal & written communication

Reliability

Self-motivated

Independent / minimal supervision

Forklift/Pallet jack certification

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Tools

Forklift

Pallet jack

Job description

Production Lead Assistant - Line 1 - Forming

US-MO-Carthage

Job ID: 2026-10247

Type: Regular Full-Time

# of Openings: 1

Carthage Plant

Overview

The Assistant Team lead is responsible for assisting the lead to delivering operational targets and leading an engaged production team. The Assistant Team Lead drives safety, quality, continuous improvement, associate development, team engagement and operating results for their assigned area. Assistnat Team Leads must proactively identify any safety risks, food safety issues, and quality and production losses. Assistant Team Leads must also lead and help problem solve, coordinate resource requirements, effectively communicate priorities and issues within their area and across shifts.

Responsibilities

• Ensure equipment is put together correctly, area is clean, organized and runs efficiently, belt speeds, proper adjustments of equipment, adjust low pressure air, etc.
• Able to lift machinery parts weighing 20 to 50 pounds
• Manage production line crew
• Enforce and Follow SOP’s, GMP’s and HACCP
• Perform job duties safely
• Maintain accurate daily production records and inventories
• Communicate problems to supervisor/manager
• Ensure that all employees’ breaks are taken in a timely and orderly fashion
• Verify all operators have the supplies needed for the upcoming runs
• Communicate any upcoming changes in a timely manner to appropriate personnel
• Ensure that all employees follow the production schedule, test procedures, etc.
• Ensure that all affected employees are aware of changeovers
• Organize any rework that needs to be done
• Understand how the equipment runs and be able to fill in as necessary
• Operates electric palletjacks/forklift
• Climbs ladders to make adjustments or check on machine operations
• Responsible for training of employees and filling out necessary production reports
• Required to wear hairnet, smock, boots or overshoes, ear plugs, gloves, plastic sleeves, and aprons provided by the Company
• Scan ingredients to the work orders
• Conducts daily communication in team huddles
• Follows established equipment Lockout/Tagout procedures as required

Employee Safety Responsibilities

• Report all injuries, unsafe conditions, unsafe acts and horseplay
• Use proper lifting techniques
• Use mechanical assistance (handjack, forklift, manlift)
• Use personal assistance (buddy)
• Use handrails
• Use and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)

Temperatures throughout plant average 50 degrees. Required to wear hairnet, smock, boots, ear plugs, gloves, plastic sleeves, and aprons provided by the Company. Need to comply with Food Safety: GMP’S, SSOP, SOP, HACCP, SQF, and Quality requirements.

Qualifications

• Prefer High School Diploma/GED
• Be able to work in a fast-paced environment
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in food manufacturing environment or equivalent type of manufacturing
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and written
• Reliable
• Self-driven
• Minimal Supervision
• Forklift/Palletjack Certification

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

(Requirements are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.)

The Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Continuously required to walk and stand.
• Frequently driving or operating a palletjack and or forklift
• Occasional reaching/working above shoulders, crouching/squatting, stooping, body bending, hand twisting, climbing/working on ladders to heights of 3ft, pushing/pulling up to 50 pounds, lifting 50 pounds to a height of 7ft, carrying 60 pounds to a range of 10 ft.
• Will be exposed to loud industrial type environments commonly found at plants and working with power equipment.
• Varied temperatures from hot and humid to very cold.

AAP/EEO STATEMENT

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. (AFNA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. AFNA does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis protected by stated, federal, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Will the position manage others? Yes No

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.