Production Team Lead (1st Shift)

Ajinomoto Foods; Toluca (IL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in food manufacturing is seeking a Production Team Leader to oversee operations in Toluca, Illinois. This role involves ensuring production efficiency, adhering to safety standards, and fostering a collaborative team environment. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership and problem-solving skills, with a commitment to maintaining high-quality production processes. Join a company that values community and innovation, where your contributions can make a meaningful impact on healthier lifestyles through delicious food. If you're ready to take the next step in your career, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; strong communication and organizational skills needed.
• Ability to lead teams, solve problems, and work cooperatively is essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage production lines, ensuring safety and efficiency in operations.
• Train employees and maintain compliance with safety and quality standards.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Problem Solving

Leadership

Teamwork

Conflict Management

Initiative

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Some College Coursework

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Summary

About Ajinomoto:

Welcome to Ajinomoto Foods North America in Toluca, Illinois—a place where we’re not just leading the way in food manufacturing but also proudly embracing our role within this close-knit community. As our team rapidly expands, we’re dedicated to offering quality jobs that reflect our passion for community, collaboration, and a positive workplace culture. We’re looking for individuals who share our commitment to making a meaningful impact both within our plant and in the surrounding areas.

Ajinomoto Foods North America is a global leader in frozen foods, renowned for delivering nutritious and delicious meals to households everywhere. With a rich history of diverse ethnic brands, we’re on a mission to contribute to healthier lifestyles through our innovative and balanced Umami foods. Our commitment to excellence is evident not just in the quality of our products but in our dedication to our employees and our community.

Here in Toluca, our investment in expanding our facility and adding a new production line reflects our belief in growth and innovation. If you’re passionate about building a fulfilling career, being part of a great team, and helping to transform the way the world eats, we invite you to join us. Together, we can make a real difference—one meal at a time.

Job Description:

The Production Team Leader is directly responsible for production and operations of assigned production lines to ensure that schedules are met with the highest possible efficiency. The Production Team Leader is responsible for ensuring that all company standards and procedures are strictly followed. The Production Team Leader must fully understand all stages of the production process, including the process itself, the equipment and the product components. The Production Team Leader is the “owner” of the assigned production lines for the shift.

Position Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assures operations employees are completing all tasks safely, and in compliance with policies and regulations.
• Following GMPs, SOPs and other Food Safety guidelines.
• Performing tasks as efficiently as possible, while still maintaining the highest level of quality.
• Maximizing the use of available time (reduce idle time).
• Properly trained in the operation of equipment and performing efficient equipment changeover to meet production needs.
• Utilizing good housekeeping practices in their work area.
• Ensure operations employees are trained and properly utilizing safety procedures for Lockout/Tagout, Lifting, Knives, and other regulatory/compliance and safety programs.
• Directly responsible for the efficient startup, operation and rundown of assigned production lines.
• Ensure equipment is properly setup and run-ready.
• Ensure all make-ready functions are carried out prior to the start of production (processing, packaging, etc.).
• Develop and communicate action plans to improve shortfalls.
• Work with crewing scheduler to ensure employees are scheduled to maximize performance for the given product mix.
• Reduce/minimize downtime by offering help and suggestions for troubleshooting, repair or improvement.
• Ensure timely and correct product changeover.
• Ensure product standards are met or exceeded for thru-put, scrap and labor.
• Verify and control all product and package weights to assure compliance, while still delivering favorable production variances.
• Complete documentation and other paperwork. Assure accuracy of all paperwork and product coding, guaranteeing compliance with established regulatory and/or internal standards, including processing batch sheets, production lot coding, hold sheets and reworking of hold product, and accident & Near Miss reports.
• Assure correct labeling, organization and usage of raw ingredients, packaging, rework and holds.
• Make task and time-critical decisions to meet quality, production and scheduling requirements.
• Prepare professional and meaningful reports as needed.
• Coordinate with HR to maintain the discipline of employees in accordance with established rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Drive continuous improvement.
• Drive favorable production variances.
• Make suggestions regarding improvements in operational methods, equipment performance and uptime, line efficiency and scrap reduction.
• Develop and implement cost savings opportunities.
• Utilizing the OEE system: Monitor historical performance and trends. Develop and facilitate continuous improvement campaigns.
• Investigate and troubleshoot operational issues and develop and implement solutions to eliminate the root-cause, such as scrap reduction, thru-put shortfalls, and extraneous material reduction/elimination.
• Train employees as required. Evaluate skills and performance of employees and make appropriate recommendations for improvement.
• Establish and maintain good plant communication skills and work with others in a team-like manner to accomplish work objectives.
• Maintain communication within the department regarding work assignments, absenteeism and crewing changes, and operational performance.
• Maintain visibility and communication with operations employees.
• Promote a positive, professional team-oriented attitude.
• Lead by example, setting a high standard for excellence and performance.
• Perform work within company standards and efficiencies.
• Perform all other work as required by the Company.

Position Qualifications

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or GED required. Some college coursework preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written required.
• Strong organizational skills required.
• Ability to work cooperatively and maintain a professional working relationship with team members.
• Ability to lead fairly, firmly and consistently.
• Ability to interact and manage conflict while maintaining composure and perspective.
• The ability to identify, define, and solve problems, and to coach team members to do the same.
• Strong initiative and the ability to work with others to achieve desired results.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, climb stairs, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to stand; use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; stoop, kneel, or crouch; and talk or hear. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.