Zone Lead 1st Shift

Woodland Gourmet; Waukegan (IL); On-site; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hourly rate $25–$30

Annual bonus eligibility

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Job summary

Woodland Gourmet seeks a Zone Lead to coordinate activities on an assigned production line, ensuring efficiency, quality, and food safety compliance. You will train operators, lead shift huddles, and manage equipment setup, changeovers, and data entry in a fast-paced environment on site in Waukegan, IL.

The role requires lifting up to 50 lbs, bilingual English/Spanish preferred, and flexibility for overtime. A High School Diploma or GED is required, with GMPs and HACCP knowledge a plus.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required or equivalent.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Machine operator experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of general warehouse operations; food industry experience a plus.
• Flexibility with hours; overtime possible.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs; team lifting for heavier items.
• Must follow GMPs and food safety, quality, and sanitation standards.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate employee activities and product handling on a production line to maximize efficiency.
• Lead line huddles and coordinate daily line activities.
• Train operators including LOTO-certified lines and cross-training.
• Set up, operate, troubleshoot, and adjust production equipment.
• Manage materials to maximize line efficiency and meet schedules.
• Enter production, attendance, quality data; maintain records per SOPs/HACCP.
• Support shift handoffs and communicate safety, production, and line issues.
• Maintain clean, safe work area and promote safety/quality mindset.

Skills

Leadership

Bilingual English/Spanish

Reading/writing English

Basic computer skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Title: Zone Lead

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Production Supervisor

Supervises: N/ A

Travel: As needed according to the essential functions of the position

Department: Production

JOB PURPOSE: The Zone Lead will coordinate employee activities and product handling on an assigned production line to ensure maximum line efficiency in accordance with our quality and food safety standards.

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Crosstrain line employees on any other lines assigned at any given time
• Lead Tier 1 huddles and coordinate daily activities for assigned production lines.
• Organize and guide line employees to ensure timely starts, efficient order processing, and adherence to production schedules.
• Set up, operate, troubleshoot, and adjust production equipment (fillers, coders, scales, sealers, etc.).
• Request and manage product and packaging materials to maximize line efficiency.
• Train operators and associates, including LOTO-certified lines and cross-training across other lines.
• Complete required reports (production, attendance, quality, HACCP) and accurately enter data into EC/M3/paper forms.
• Verify finished goods against established SOPs.
• Prioritize order processing in relation to shipping requirements and production schedules
• Maintain communication with the Supervisor and report any safety, production, staffing, or line inefficiency issues.
• Ensure safe equipment operation, promote a safety/quality mindset, and maintain a clean work area.
• Conduct allergen and line changeovers and ensure hourly updates to Performance Boards.
• Collaborates with the scheduling team to ensure lines are scheduled optimally.
• Support shift handoffs and perform other duties as assigned.
• Perform all other duties as assigned

Qualifications/Requirements

• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
• Prefer High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED)
• Machine operator experience preferred
• Must have a working knowledge of general warehouse operations, food industry experience a plus
• Must be flexible with hours, possibility for OT
• Ability to lift 501bs (anything over 501bs, team lift))
• Must follow all WG GMPs and work consistently with all food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements

Skills/Abilities

• Basic computer skills and strong leadership abilities.
• Ability to read/write English and interpret safety, operating, and procedural documents.
• Solid math skills (add, subtract, multiply, divide; fractions/decimals) and understanding of scales/weights.
• Strong communication, organization, attention to detail, and ability to multitask.
• Quick learner with the ability to prioritize and adapt to different production lines.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are those an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform basic functions. Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and frequently bend and move about the facility. Must be able to climb ladders and maneuver in small spaces

Personal Protective Equipment

The performance of this position requires exposure to manufacturing and warehouse areas, which, under certain conditions, may require the use of personal protective equipment.

Work Environment

This position does not allow for remote work.

• Works in an office and manufacturing environment
• Exposure to dust, odors, and noise

This document does not state or imply that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.

Woodland Gourmet hires exceptional people to perform a wide variety of important functions that contribute to the success of our organization. We offer a competitive compensation package with benefits.

The hourly rate for this role will be $25 to $30. This position is eligible for an annual bonus (based on the incentive program terms and conditions). Based on your qualifications, previous experience, and transferable skills, the company will determine, at its discretion, the hourly rate offered and will reflect the market conditions and cost of living for your geographic location.

Our benefits program is designed to support our team in leading healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives. We deeply value the contributions of our team members and are committed to offering a competitive total compensation package. Additionally, we offer medical, prescription drug plans, dental, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, vision insurance, flexible spending account, health savings account, tuition reimbursement, employee assistance program, voluntary benefits (hospital, critical illness, personal accident, legal & identify theft), 401k with company match, paid family leave, paid holidays and paid time off.

Woodland Gourmet is a participant in the federal E-Verify program. As part of the hiring process, we will verify the information provided on your Form I-9 to confirm your eligibility to work in the United States.

E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from your Form I-9 to government records to confirm employment eligibility. For more information on E-Verify and your rights, please visit theE-Verify website.