Job Summary: The Lead is key to the success of producing quality coffee and tea products within our manufacturing facility. Acting as a backup to the Production Supervisor, this position will be the immediate point of contact for all employees within the Processing area ensuring employees are safely operating processing equipment and products are produced timely and efficiently.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions if it does not create an undue hardship for the department/company.

• Operates processing equipment in multiple areas efficiently according to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s), and food/employee safety requirements and guidelines to meet daily labor and waste goals as planned and driven by management
• Understands all sequence of operations in the processing area and the inputs that impact product specifications and standards
• Responsible for learning and maintaining standards for product specifications, blends, recipes, and acceptable quality specifications
• Leads daily process huddle and is the liaison between Packing, Quality and Maintenance team
• Trains and mentors employees enforcing a quality first culture and continuous improvement mindset
• Works with leadership to develop strategies to improve production and reduce downtime
• Manages the preventative maintenance schedule for Processing equipment including cleaning, lubricating, visual inspection, tear down, and minor repair
• Understands sanitization/CIP process for processing equipment and ensures employees are maintaining a clean and sanitary workstation
• Serves as Subject Matter Expert (SME) in new product or formulation trials
• Utilizes Digital Production System (Redzone) to track downtime, perform quality compliance documents and communicate with support functions
• Understands Processing HMI and troubleshoot/make adjustments using the HMI
• Performs in process quality to ensure that product meets all quality and customer specifications
• Ensures processing team is accurately completing all quality, product batch data, traceability, and production paperwork daily
• Follows all safety procedures and actively participates in safety training and safety system ownership initiatives
• Maintains safe and efficient use of equipment, tools, and person; reports any injury, accident, or unsafe condition to supervisor immediately
• Supports and complies with GMP’s; understands and follows emergency action plan
• Supports food safety, quality, and legality
• Ensures the operation is providing food-safe, quality products which meet or exceed all product specifications and regulatory requirements
• Other duties as assigned

Education and Experience: The minimum requirements below are representative of the education and experience required to perform this job successfully.

• High school diploma
• A minimum of three years of machine operator/production experience
• Two years of project or team leadership experience, preferably within in a manufacturing environment

Qualifications: The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities and attributes required to perform this job successfully.

• Ability to operate in multiple processing areas and troubleshoot processing and product specification issues
• Ability to lead MCA
• Effective communicator with ability to lead team and build rapport amongst all plant functions
• Knowledge and thorough understanding of sanitation and CIP procedures
• Proficient computer skills and good working knowledge of Redzone
• Strong attention to detail with good organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines