Shift Lead - Food Production & Quality Champion

Utz Brands, Inc.; Hanover (York County); On-site; USD 30,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Utz Quality Foods is seeking a Shift Lead for its Plant 5 facility in Hanover, PA. The role supports Repack, VAS, and Sorting on the A Shift, working Monday through Thursday from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

You will guide team members to meet production, safety, and food quality goals while fostering communication across shifts. You will drive continuous improvement, handle scheduling, training, and coaching, and ensure adherence to GMPs and SQF standards.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of experience in production, Repack, VAS, or Sorting operations.
• Recent forklift experience and ability to obtain certification on day one.
• Familiarity with ERP systems (D365 preferred).
• Working knowledge of food safety standards, GMPs, and quality control.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to train, coach, and mentor production and warehouse personnel.
• Problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced production environment.
• Must hold a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds regularly.
• Fluent in Spanish desired but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations in Repack, VAS, and Sorting areas, ensuring production goals, quality, and food safety standards are met.
• Perform quality checks and work closely with the Plant 3 QA team to maintain product integrity and compliance.
• Assist Supervisor with scheduling, training, and evaluating team members to maintain productivity and performance standards.
• Maintain clear communication with supervisors regarding downtime, production issues, and product overflow.
• Monitor workstations and team activities for efficiency, product accuracy, quality, and compliance with GMPs and food safety protocols.
• Utilize ERP systems (D365) and other tools to manage inventory, track materials, enter data, and support reporting needs.
• Oversee shift operations including unloading and staging raw materials, loading outbound trailers, and coordinating dock activities.
• Support warehouse processes including returns, sorting, and distribution of materials.
• Lead and organize projects as assigned, including continuous improvement initiatives and special assignments.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment, enforcing safety rules and reporting unsafe conditions immediately.
• Separate and escalate… questionable product for supervisor review.
• Support food safety and quality tasks in compliance with company policies and SQF standards.
• Oversee unloading and staging of raw material trailers, loading outbound trailers, and completing required documentation.
• Provide leadership and guidance in the absence of the supervisor, supporting warehouse operations and auditing processes.
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Training/Coaching

Problem-solving

Forklift certified

D365 ERP

Spanish (desirable)

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

D365 ERP

Job description

Utz Quality Foods is seeking a Shift Lead for its Plant 5 facility in Hanover, PA. The role supports Repack, VAS, and Sorting on the A Shift, working Monday through Thursday from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

You will guide team members to meet production, safety, and food quality goals while fostering communication across shifts. You will drive continuous improvement, handle scheduling, training, and coaching, and ensure adherence to GMPs and SQF standards.