Production Lead (2nd Shift)

Job Purpose

The Production Lead is involved in a variety of tasks related to the creation, packaging, and quality control of our products. The Production Lead will ensure that the production process runs smoothly and efficiently, resulting in high-quality products for our customers.

Duties & Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Operate and monitor cheese production equipment such as milk pasteurizers, curd cutters, and cheese vats.
• Follow recipes and production guidelines to produce multiple types of cheese, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby, and others.
• Monitor temperature, pH levels, and curd formation during the cheese-making process.
• Perform quality checks on raw materials, intermediate cheese products, and finished cheese to ensure they meet established standards.
• Identify and address any deviations from quality specifications.
• Report and document any defects or irregularities in the production process.
• Package and label cheese products according to established procedures.
• Operate packaging equipment, such as cheese cutters, wrappers, and scales.
• Ensure that packaging materials are used efficiently and effectively.
• Maintain a clean and sanitary work environment by following established sanitation protocols. 
• Clean and sanitize equipment, production areas, and storage areas regularly to prevent contamination. 
• Keep track of inventory levels of raw materials, packaging materials, and finished products. 
• Report inventory needs and assist with the organization of storage areas. 
• Adhere to safety guidelines and protocols to prevent accidents and injuries. 
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow safety procedures at all times. 
• Collaborate with other team members to ensure smooth production flow and quality products. 
• Communicate effectively with supervisors and coworkers. 
• Report equipment malfunctions and assist in troubleshooting and repairs as needed.    
• Additional duties as assigned.

Skills & Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent. 
• Previous experience in food production, particularly in cheese making, is a plus. 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment. 
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality products. 
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices. 
• Strong communication and teamwork skills. 

Working Conditions:

• The worker is subject to inside environmental conditions: Protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes. 
• The worker is subject to extreme heat: Temperatures above 100 degrees for periods of more than one hour. Consideration should be given to the effect of other environmental conditions such as wind and humidity. 
• The worker is subject to noise: There is sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level. 
• The worker is subject to hazards: Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals. 

Physical Requirements

• Heavy work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. 
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. 
• Standing: Remaining upright on the feet, particularly for sustained periods of time 
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another 
• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.  
• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.  
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to-position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of the upper extremities and back muscles 
• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling.  
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm 
• Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.  
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; those activities where detailed or important spoken instructions must be conveyed to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly 
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, and having the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and making fine discriminations in sound.  
• Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.