Food Production Lead

Shift: 1st Shift
Location: Oak Forest, IL

We are seeking an experienced Food Production Lead to oversee daily operations in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership, organizational, and process improvement skills, with a focus on quality, safety, and efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate all production activities, ensuring goals are met in alignment with company policies and objectives.
• Oversee production documentation, record keeping, and scheduling to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Establish, implement, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all production operations.
• Develop job timelines, estimate costs, and ensure production remains cost-effective.
• Maintain and enforce quality standards to ensure consistent product excellence.
• Supervise, train, and motivate production teams to achieve daily output and performance goals.
• Optimize resource utilization through effective planning and organization.
• Monitor production processes and make schedule adjustments as needed to maintain efficiency.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives by implementing best practices and supporting change management processes.
• Ensure adherence to established procedures to achieve first-pass quality targets.
• Guarantee that all products are produced on schedule and meet quality specifications.
• Implement and reinforce safety procedures and ensure all employees follow health and safety guidelines.
• Support coaching, training, and development of team members to meet operational and business goals.
• Serve as the liaison between production and office staff, ensuring clear communication and alignment.
• Review and evaluate employee performance and provide constructive feedback.
• Participate in equipment purchase recommendations and implementation to support operational improvements.

Qualifications

• Proven lead  experience in a food manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of food production processes and quality systems.
• HACCP Certification required.
• OSHA Training preferred.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.