Production Machinery Team Lead

Location: Jackson, TN

Compensation Includes

• Starting pay rate of $25–28 per hour
• Paid lunch breaks

Available Shifts

• 2nd: 3:50 pm – 12:05 am
• 3rd: 11:50 pm – 8:05 am

A day in the role

As the front-line lead on our production floor, you arrive ready to set the pace. You review the plan, assign team members to lines, verify machines are running on schedule and at target speeds, and ensure the right materials are at each station. Hourly, you confirm samples are pulled from running bags and film, checking print, color, and defects to prevent scrap and protect quality. You pivot quickly to support changeovers and order changes so lines return to production swiftly. Throughout the shift, you coach operators, uphold safety practices (PPE, guards, ZES, shirt tails), and keep work areas clean and organized.

You document the day accurately—submitting production reports on time, noting any issues, and elevating recurring concerns to the Shift Supervisor or Department Manager. You train new hires or pair them with qualified trainers, arrange breaks and relief coverage, and address performance with clear feedback, improvement plans, and disciplinary action when necessary. You collaborate with HR when team members raise complaints or grievances. Between runs, you pitch in to clean and repair equipment and perform other food safety–related tasks as assigned. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Food Safety Practices guide everything you do.

What you will do

• Lead and direct Machine Operators and Utility personnel
• Allocate staff to production lines; maintain schedule adherence and production speed
• Ensure hourly quality samples are taken; identify defects and curb waste
• Assist with changeovers/order changes for quick, safe restarts
• Clean and repair machinery as needed
• Model and enforce safety procedures (PPE, guards, ZES, shirt tails)
• Complete and submit accurate daily production reports
• Coordinate breaks and arrange relief coverage
• Evaluate performance; provide coaching, counseling, and discipline; escalate recurring issues
• Train new employees or assign appropriate trainers
• Keep team supplied with materials; maintain orderly work areas
• Refer employees to HR for complaints or first-step grievances
• Follow GMP and Food Safety Practices; perform other duties as assigned, including food safety

Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in a manufacturing environment
• 2–5 years of hands-on Machine Operator experience
• Strong verbal, written, and phone communication skills
• Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating and quality instructions, and procedural manuals
• Ability to complete routine reports and maintain records accurately
• Solid basic math: add, subtract, multiply, divide
• Clear, concise writing with professional grammar
• Self-managed with strong organization and time management
• Good eyesight with strong color vision (no colorblindness) to spot color and print issues as bags/film run

Technical strengths

• Equipment troubleshooting
• Mechanical troubleshooting
• General troubleshooting aptitude
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
• Machine setups for production runs