Food Manufacturing Production Lead Jobs (NOW HIRING)

We are hiring a Food Production Line Lead for a full-time, contract-to-hire opportunity in Manteno, IL. This is a hands-on floor leadership role responsible for supporting daily food production, training employees, coordinating work assignments, maintaining safety and quality standards, troubleshooting production issues, and helping keep production lines running efficiently.

The ideal candidate has hands-on food manufacturing experience, understands production equipment and workflow, and can provide reliable leadership while remaining actively involved on the floor.

• Direct and coordinate employee assignments on production lines.
• Train new employees on job duties, safety procedures, quality expectations, and production processes.
• Coordinate workstation rotations and employee breaks to maintain production flow.
• Monitor production equipment and address operational bottlenecks.
• Troubleshoot equipment issues at the operator level and help keep production moving.
• Ensure employees follow safety procedures, GMPs, food-safety requirements, and company policies.
• Partner with Quality Assurance to maintain food-safety and quality standards.
• Monitor production processes for compliance with specifications and procedures.
• Maintain accurate production records for output, downtime, and material usage.
• Ensure centerline documents and production boards are completed accurately.
• Verify production lines have the correct materials and are following approved recipes.
• Coordinate with warehouse personnel regarding inventory and material needs.
• Communicate equipment issues, shortages, safety concerns, and production challenges to supervisors and management.
• Coach team members and support continuous improvement efforts.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 2–3 years of production experience in food manufacturing or a similar manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on understanding of production equipment and workflow.
• Production-line leadership capabilities.
• Mechanical aptitude and equipment troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to perform routine operator-level equipment maintenance.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Good mathematical skills.
• Ability to read and follow instructions.
• Ability to follow GMP, food-safety, quality, and workplace-safety requirements.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and stand or walk for extended periods, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with variable temperatures and loud machinery or equipment alarms.
• Ability to comply with required PPE and safety procedures.
• Ability to work up to six days per week when business and production needs require it.

• Hands-on food manufacturing or food-production experience.
• Experience with film-based packaging equipment.
• Experience with Texwrap or Shanklin equipment.
• Experience with food manufacturing production or packaging lines.

• Pay: $24.00–$28.00 per hour.
• Schedule: 1st and 2nd shift opportunities available.
• Assignment: Contract-to-Hire.

Upon eligible client hire, benefits include:

• Health, dental, and vision coverage effective from day one.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off.
• Growth and development opportunities.
• Additional benefits.

This is a strong opportunity for an experienced food-production professional who wants to remain hands-on while developing additional leadership responsibility. You’ll gain experience directing employees, solving production-floor problems, supporting quality and safety, and helping keep a food manufacturing operation running efficiently. The role may also serve as a stepping stone toward a future Supervisor position.

You should be proficient in:

• Leadership / People Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Food and Beverage Manufacturing
• Manufacturing Instruction (MI)
• FDA Regulations
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Supervisory Experience
• Production Optimization
• Coaching and Mentoring Experience
• ERP & MRP Systems
• Inventory Management & Control
• Workplace Safety & EHS Management
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

Machines & technologies you'll use:

• ERP Software