Weekend Production Lead 

PURPOSE OF POSITION: The purpose of this position is to assist in the oversight of the 3^rd shift production team and the daily operations of the production floor, ensuring efficient, safe, and quality-driven manufacturing processes. This role requires strong leadership skills, a deep understanding of manufacturing processes, and the ability to guide and support a team to meet production goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in the supervision and lead a team of production workers to meet daily, weekly, and monthly production targets while maintaining high quality and safety standards.
• Report directly to the Superintendent, providing regular updates on production and personnel performance, progress, and any issues. 
• Ensure that production processes run efficiently, with minimal downtime, and all safety procedures are adhered to.
• Troubleshoot and resolve production issues, taking proactive measures to minimize disruptions to the workflow.
• Maintain high standards of quality control and ensure compliance with all relevant industry regulations and company policies.
• Coordinate with the Superintendent to address production challenges or changes. 
• Foster a team-oriented work environment, providing guidance, training, and support to production workers to enhance their performance and development.
• Identify areas for process improvement, recommending and implementing changes to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve product quality.
• Maintain accurate records of production data, including outputs, downtime, inventory, and quality checks.
• Enforce workplace safety protocols, promoting a safe and compliant work environment for all employees.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent required. 
• 3-5 years of experience in a production or manufacturing environment, with at least 1-2 years in a supervisory or leadership role.
• Strong understanding of production processes, scheduling, and quality control.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills with a focus on maintaining production flow.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate and manage a diverse team.
• Familiarity with workplace safety regulations (e.g., OSHA standards) and a commitment to promoting a safe working environment.
• Proficiency in basic computer applications and production management software (ERP systems, MS Office, etc.).

Work Environment and Physical Demands

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job operates within a professional office and plant manufacturing environment.  While performing the duties of this job inside the office, the employee is frequently exposed to normal working conditions for an office environment with a noise level that is usually quiet to moderate. While performing duties of this job inside and outside the manufacturing plant, the employee is frequently exposed to normal working conditions of a food manufacturing facility with a noise level that is usually moderate to loud. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers and filing cabinets.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee may be required to stand for long periods of time as well as use hands or fingers to reach or handle, and to reach with hands and arms. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.  The employee will occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  All vision abilities are required to encompass close-up work.  On occasion, employee must be able to tolerate and endure extended seasonal hours and maintain alertness to meet deadlines.

Occasionally while performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to machinery and moving parts, airborne particles including grain dust and hazardous materials or fumes, which may require the use of PPE. The employee may be exposed to adverse weather conditions, extended seasonal hours, high precarious places, and confined spaces.  The noise level in some of the work environments may require the use of hearing protection.

About the Company

North Freeze Dry, LLC headquartered in Fargo, ND, is a U.S.-based co-manufacturer that produces freeze-dried companion animal food and treats. The Company’s freeze-drying facility in Little Falls, MN is one of the industry’s largest and most fully integrated freeze-drying co-manufacturing facilities. North Freeze Dry, LLC is a joint venture between Anchor Ingredients Co., LLC, a leading supplier of premium ingredients for the food and pet food industries, and Barrett Petfood Innovations, a rapidly expanding co-manufacturer of premium pet foods. 

Disclaimer

This job description is not a complete description of responsibility, but reflects the general qualifications, duties and/or responsibilities necessary to perform this position. All candidates who receive a written offer of employment will be required to successfully pass a background check. North Freeze Dry reserves the right to revise the job description as circumstances warrant.  North Freeze Dry. is an at-will employer, which means that either the employee or the company may terminate the relationship at any time, with or without notice, and with or without cause.  We are an equal opportunity employer.