TITLE: Lead, Production

DEPARTMENT: Production

REPORTS TO: Supervisor, Production

About the Role

Production Leads are responsible for leading a team consisting of Production Associates on the production floor. They ensure that production functions, including, but not limited to, plating and packing meals, snacks, and beverages, are performed to satisfaction to meet production KPI goals. The person in this position has the ability to effectively communicate the daily goals of the production department to the production team.

How You’ll Make a Difference

• Support Production Leadership in overseeing production process on production lines, including production execution, Quality Control/Quality Assurance, and time tracking
• Ensure employees are following GMPs, ensuring that products are consistently produced and controlled according to policy
• Maintain working knowledge of and assist with the implementation of new and existing SOPs and policies across production teams; ensure processes and policies are adhered to at all times
• Driving and pushing the line for better efficiency and accuracy, meeting targeted goals for the shift.
• Organizing the line with the correct components and materials
• Understanding and communicating which meal the line will be working on and addressing any major allergies, meal specifics, and/or other pertinent information
• Ensure that sanitation buckets, cleaning solutions, and materials are on the line prior to production, and make sure all GMPs are followed.
• Identifying who will be utilizing scales and ensuring their proper use and the target weight for components
• Understand the targeted weight volume needed to fulfill meals and anticipate early enough to provide the Kitchen ample time to supplement the short called-out
• Ensure all documentation, Quality Control, and Quality Assurance are conducted, completed, and submitted on time.
• Communicating break and lunchtime expectations of when to return to the line. Ensuring that all associates returning are on time and accounted for.
• Updating the Production Board with Line progression numbers either every hour or every 2 hours.
• Submit all Documentation to the Production Managers' office and input metrics into appropriate digital forms
• Ensure that Meal Towers are properly labeled with the correct amount, date, and meal code
• Identify and communicate all shorts, including, but not limited to, bin weights, components, meal count shorts, etc.
• Proper updates and communication on Slack and other necessary methods such as the call-out line, phone, meetings, etc.
• Attend consistent safety meetings once per week, keeping track of policy changes and rollouts
• Support Production leadership in ensuring OSHA compliance standards are adhered to at all times by staff
• Support Production leadership with internal QA audit initiatives

Who You Are

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• 1+ years related experience required; experience in a high-paced food manufacturing environment highly preferred
• Desire to grow into leadership positions and develop leadership skills
• Strong communication skills that put people first and the ability to balance empathy and direct feedback to both support and advocate for the team and also maintain consistent standards of performance
• Ability to form effective working relationships with a cross-functional team
• Ability to adhere to company SOPs and implement new initiatives as needed
• Ability and willingness to master new equipment and related automation as implemented.
• Valid Food Handler’s Certification(must be obtained within 30 days of hire)

Our Culture

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential values at Thistle. We know we do our best and most impactful work when we feel we are represented and belong. We're proud to actively recruit and hire talented people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. We do not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”), including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, citizenship, national origin, color, hairstyles, hair texture, religion or religious creed, age, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, veteran or active military status, marital status, criminal record, genetics, retaliation, sexual harassment or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.