Production Lead

at  Ajinomoto Foods North America

Position Summary:
Ajinomoto Foods North America is a leading frozen foods company, committed to providing nutritious and delicious meals globally. With a rich history of diverse ethnic brands, our brands have become household favorites all across America. We are dedicated to contributing to a healthier lifestyle through nutritious and balanced Umami foods. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, all our products are cooked with our customers in mind, providing healthy and delicious meals for all.
We are looking for a Production Lead to join our Team in Hayward. This position will lead the day-to day planning, operation and problem-solving, direct and implement production plans to ensure achievement of departmental goals. This person is also responsible for a production line or area to ensure production schedules are met and company standards and procedures are strictly followed; focuses on safety, quality, cost, planning, and follow up on staff development & training and continuous improvement. An individual in this position will be expected to perform additional job related responsibilities and duties as assigned and/or necessary.

Position Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manages production activities of assigned lines/departments to meet production goals.
• Ensures team’s adherence to company and department policies, safety standards, and good manufacturing practices.
• Maintains excellent communication with other operators, employees, other departments and Production Supervisor.
• Produces all Products in food safe manner in compliance with FDA, USDA, and AFNA.
• Partners with other functional areas to provide immediate solutions to safety, quality and cost issues.
• Holds employee meeting regarding safety, quality and production.
• Able to assume full Supervisory duties when supervisor is assigned elsewhere.
• Maintains standard line speeds and employee head counts.
• Able to troubleshoot minor mechanical equipment issues and work with Maintenance Team towards a resolution.
• Perform line set up, start up, operations, closing, and changeover of equipment and ensures that designated equipment is in operational condition for on time start-ups.
• Records specific down time information and interacts with maintenance or other departments to determine root cause.
• Ensures that all equipment in area is in operational state and informs supervisor or other operators of any irregularities with equipment.
• Loads ingredients automatically and strictly follows formula and specification form directions step by step in order to mix, slice, prepare and cook raw ingredients required by production, while avoiding waste, downtime and ensuring product consistency.
• Ensures all mixed ingredients meet quality standards and communicates any deviations to the immediate supervisor.
• Ensures product quality is met throughout process.
• Ensures all safety devices are operable and being used.
• Assure completion and timeliness of all required paperwork, including production reporting, downtime reporting, HACCP and product quality verification forms.
• Works closely and communicates with other Machine Operators in order to keep equipment running to avoid downtime.
• Maintains constant pace with production needs in order to avoid production delays.
• Keeps ingredients and other work areas clean and organized.
• Handles and stores raw ingredients according to procedures.
• Monitors and maintains proper rotation of raw goods.
• Follows Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) at all times.
• Performs checks, inspections to verify quality and adjustments as necessary.
• Performs general housekeeping duties in worker area; maintains a clean and safe work area.
• Complies with the plant’s policies including, but not limited to, safety, good manufacturing practices, food safety, and employment and work rules.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Position Qualifications:

JOB QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES)

• 2 – 3 years manufacturing experience.1 year of leadership experience preferred
• Demonstrated effective leadership and team development
• Ability to write routine reports, procedures and provide training to assigned personnel
• Must have mechanical aptitude and intermediate troubleshooting skills
• Ability to uphold safety, food safety, and production quality standards
• Be capable of operating measuring instruments, such as a weight scale and thermometer
• Capable of performing basic math calculations and use a calculator
• Ability to communicate in a concise and clear manner with team members
• Self-motivated individual who requires minimal supervision and direction
• Ability to work calmly and effectively under pressure
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment
• Ability to read, understand and follow written specifications
  Base pay range is $20-30/hr. The base pay range provided is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

(Requirements are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.)

• Must be able to bend and lift up to 50 pounds repetitively, while using proper lifting techniques.
• Must be able to stand, walking for extended periods of time up to 12 hours a day.
• Must be able to climb stairs, push, and pull, squat, bend, and reach at, above and below shoulders. Repetitive use of hands.
• Must be able to work overtime and weekends as necessary.

Position Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manages production activities of assigned lines/departments to meet production goals.
• Ensures team’s adherence to company and department policies, safety standards, and good manufacturing practices.
• Maintains excellent communication with other operators, employees, other departments and Production Supervisor.
• Produces all Products in food safe manner in compliance with FDA, USDA, and AFNA.
• Partners with other functional areas to provide immediate solutions to safety, quality and cost issues.
• Holds employee meeting regarding safety, quality and production.
• Able to assume full Supervisory duties when supervisor is assigned elsewhere.
• Maintains standard line speeds and employee head counts.
• Able to troubleshoot minor mechanical equipment issues and work with Maintenance Team towards a resolution.
• Perform line set up, start up, operations, closing, and changeover of equipment and ensures that designated equipment is in operational condition for on time start-ups.
• Records specific down time information and interacts with maintenance or other departments to determine root cause.
• Ensures that all equipment in area is in operational state and informs supervisor or other operators of any irregularities with equipment.
• Loads ingredients automatically and strictly follows formula and specification form directions step by step in order to mix, slice, prepare and cook raw ingredients required by production, while avoiding waste, downtime and ensuring product consistency.
• Ensures all mixed ingredients meet quality standards and communicates any deviations to the immediate supervisor.
• Ensures product quality is met throughout process.
• Ensures all safety devices are operable and being used.
• Assure completion and timeliness of all required paperwork, including production reporting, downtime reporting, HACCP and product quality verification forms.
• Works closely and communicates with other Machine Operators in order to keep equipment running to avoid downtime.
• Maintains constant pace with production needs in order to avoid production delays.
• Keeps ingredients and other work areas clean and organized.
• Handles and stores raw ingredients according to procedures.
• Monitors and maintains proper rotation of raw goods.
• Follows Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) at all times.
• Performs checks, inspections to verify quality and adjustments as necessary.
• Performs general housekeeping duties in worker area; maintains a clean and safe work area.
• Complies with the plant’s policies including, but not limited to, safety, good manufacturing practices, food safety, and employment and work rules.
• Performs other duties as assigned

(Requirements are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.)

• Must be able to bend and lift up to 50 pounds repetitively, while using proper lifting techniques.
• Must be able to stand, walking for extended periods of time up to 12 hours a day.
• Must be able to climb stairs, push, and pull, squat, bend, and reach at, above and below shoulders. Repetitive use of hands.
• Must be able to work overtime and weekends as necessary