1st Shift Processing Lead at Dr. Praeger's Sensible Foods Inc – ELMWOOD PARK, New Jersey

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Dr. Praegers Sensible Foods was founded in 1994 with the mission to create nutritious and convenient frozen food that tasted so delicious, it would make it easier to help people adopt better eating habits. While the world has changed since the business started, Dr. Praegers remains true to its founders vision. Were grounded in using real, recognizable ingredients to make great-tasting products that families love.

We are passionate about food and fueled by our desire to make healthier living more delicious. Our mission is pioneering to increase veggie consumption by making it easy to choose crave-able, veggie-forward food.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Processing Lead is responsible to assist in set up, operation, and troubleshooting of manufacturing daily operation equipment through the different sections of the plant, while overseeing and coordinating the activities of the processing team to ensure efficient production operations. This role involves leading the team in processing tasks, ensuring adherence to safety and quality standards, and maintaining effective communication with other departments.

Daily Responsibilities

Assist in set-up and pre-operational tasks to ensure on-time starts.

Assign tasks and responsibilities to team members to meet production targets.

Possess knowledge of processing/manufacturing equipment to ensure minor troubleshooting and issue correction.

Evaluate equipment while running to assure optimal performance.

Make minor alignment corrections to equipment as needed.

Ensure that all products meet established quality specifications before being released for further processing or packaging.

Monitor processing operations and conduct regular inspections of processing lines and equipment to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.

Work closely with the Quality Assurance team to address any quality issues and implement corrective actions.

Provide personnel with training and guidance on how to operate the equipment.

Monitor team performance and provide feedback to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Inform mechanics, supervisors, and managers of potential equipment issues/failures.

Disassemble/assemble processing equipment as necessary.

Perform equipment cleaning by dismantling and assembling equipment according to specifications.

Facilitate effective communication between the processing team and other departments, including production, quality assurance, and maintenance.

Maintain accurate records of production activities, including batch records, production boards, and downtime allocation in the production tracking application.

Enforce safety protocols and procedures to ensure a safe working environment for all team members.

Ensure compliance with all company policies related to food processing, employee conduct, and safety.

Collaborate with the Processing Supervisor to develop and implement process improvements.

Keep and maintain the working area clean.

Perform all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/skills

Bilingual (Fluent in English & Spanish) must be able to read and write in English (Required).

High school diploma or equivalent; additional technical or vocational training (Preferred).

Must be able to read and write in English and fill out paperwork (Required).

Comprehension of Basic math.

Ability to operate Scales.

Ability to use mathematical reasoning to identify and solve production issues.

Capacity to utilize logical steps to troubleshoot equipment and process problems.

Basic computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Strong leadership and supervisory skills.

Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Flexibility to work different shifts and extra hours based on business necessity (with advance notice).

Ability to support and lead process improvement initiatives.

Document / review downtime in production application (Redzone).

Qualifications/knowledge preferred but not required.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

LEAN / 5s Principals (Preferred but not required).

Experience in a food processing or manufacturing environment.

Mechanical aptitude

GEA Forming Machine

Knowledge of Batter and Breader Machines

Knowledge of Fryers & Mixers

GEA grinders

Scales

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk; sit; bend; push; pull; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift equipment or materials and/or move up to 60 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus and repetitive motions.

Disclaimer: Employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodation will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Dr. Praeger's Sensible Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, or handicap, sex, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment during employment.