Candy Kitchen Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Location: Lexington, NC
Shift: 4:00 pm to 2:30 am, Mon-Thurs (Sometimes Fridays)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Pay: $25-$26/hr (based on experience)

We've been crafting nostalgic American candy for over 130 years - best known for our iconic Red Bird peppermint puffs. We're not a startup, but we think like one when it comes to modernizing our operations. We've invested heavily in automation, cleaner production processes, and technology-driven systems, and we're building the team to match.

We're looking for an experiencedProduction Lead orShift Lead to take ownership of our 2nd shift kitchen operations. This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll guide a team of operators, oversee automated mixing and batching systems, and keep production running safely, consistently, and efficiently.

This is not a restaurant job. We're looking for candidates with a background infood manufacturing, batch processing, chemical processing, or industrial production,people who understand production flow, equipment oversight, and how to lead a team on the floor.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and hold accountable a team of kitchen operators and candy technicians
• Set clear performance expectations and drive a culture of ownership and accountability
• Build and maintain a positive, safety-first work environment

Production & Operations

• Oversee batching, mixing, and ingredient flow to support downstream production lines
• Ensure the right materials, quantities, and sequences are in place to meet production targets
• Monitor automated systems and equipment performance throughout the shift
• Troubleshoot production issues in real time; coordinate with maintenance when needed

Automation & Process Oversight

• Operate within a highly automated kitchen environment - less manual labor, more systems thinking
• Identify and resolve process disruptions, equipment inconsistencies, or quality deviations
• Apply knowledge of batch processing, cooking behavior, or food science to maintain product consistency

Food Safety & Quality Compliance

• Enforce GMPs, PPE requirements, and food safety standards across the shift
• Ensure batch consistency, temperatures, and quality checks meet specifications
• Maintain accurate batch records and documentation; support audit readiness

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve throughput, and streamline workflows
• Partner cross-functionally with Quality, Maintenance, and Operations leadership on improvement initiatives

We know most candidates won't have candy-making experience - that's fine. We hire for leadership, mechanical aptitude, and manufacturing know-how. If you can run a team and troubleshoot a process, we can teach you the rest.

Preferred Backgrounds:

• Food manufacturing (bakery, beverage, dairy, snack, protein, co-manufacturing, etc.)
• Batch processing or chemical/industrial processing environments
• Manufacturing operations with automated or semi-automated systems
• Experience overseeing mixing, cooking, blending, or batching processes

Requirements:

• 2+ years of team lead, supervisor, or shift lead experience in a manufacturing environment
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills - you stay calm and think clearly when things go sideways
• Comfort operating in and adapting to automated production environments
• Solid understanding of production flow, scheduling, and process sequencing
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, continuously improving environment

Preferred:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish (a plus for team communication - not required)
• Familiarity with GMP, HACCP, or SQF food safety standards
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Kaizen, 5S)

• Competitive hourly pay: $25-$26/hr based on experience
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401k / retirement plan with 6% match
• Paid time off
• Stability: Over 130 years in business with continued investment in growth and modernization
• Room to grow: We promote from within and are building leadership capacity as we expand

We're a company built on integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement. We move fast, we solve problems together, and we take care of the people who show up every day and do the work.

Piedmont Candy Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.