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Lead Production Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Niagara Bottling, LLC

Production Operator II

Vernon, CA · On-site

$23.52 - $31.16/hr

Production Operator II Performs a variety of tasks requiring knowledge of production processes and ... Lead Like an Owner * Makes safety the number one priority * Keeps alert for safety issues and ...

ZymoChem

Pilot Production Operator

San Leandro, CA · On-site

Lead with Compassion, Aspire Collectively, Evolve Continuously, Innovate with Impact, Scale Sustainably Position Summary Join our Materials department as a Temporary Pilot Production Operator! This ...

ZymoChem

Pilot Production Operator

San Leandro, CA · On-site

$25 - $30/hr

Lead with Compassion, Aspire Collectively, Evolve Continuously, Innovate with Impact, Scale Sustainably Position Summary Join our Materials department as a Temporary Pilot Production Operator! This ...

Niagara Bottling, LLC

Production Operator II

Stockton, CA · On-site

$20.01 - $27.02/hr

Production Operator II This position is responsible for daily operations of the production floor ... Lead Like an Owner * Makes safety the number one priority * Keeps alert for safety issues and ...

Niagara Bottling LLC

Production Operator II

Stockton, CA · On-site

$20.01 - $27.02/hr

Production Operator II This position is responsible for daily operations of the production floor ... Lead Like an Owner * Makes safety the number one priority * Keeps alert for safety issues and ...

Unigen

Production Lead - SMT (Swing Shift)

Newark, CA · On-site

$30 - $35/hr

Production Operator SMT Lead sets up and operates SMT machines and equipment. Reports to Production Supervisor and is located in Newark, CA. Primary Job Responsibilities: 1. Responsible for the ...

Staar Surgical

Production Operator I

Monrovia, CA · On-site

$23 - $28/hr

MAIN JOB RESPONSIBILITIES / COMPETENCIES 1. Follow all applicable SOPs including Production Control ... lead/supervisor and other management and contribute to departmental goals. • Should possess ...

Staar Surgical Company

Production Operator I

Monrovia, CA · On-site

$23 - $28/hr

MAIN JOB RESPONSIBILITIES / COMPETENCIES 1. Follow all applicable SOPs including Production Control ... from lead/supervisor and other management and contribute to departmental goals. Should possess ...

Unigen

Production Operator 1 - SMT (Day)

Newark, CA · On-site

$19 - $21/hr

Production Operator 1- SMT (Day) Job Function: Manufacturing Job Overview: The SMT Equipment ... lead or SMT technician, * Inspect finished boards for quality and quantity of work performed,

Unigen

Production Operator 1 - SMT (Swing)

Newark, CA · On-site

$19 - $21/hr

Production Operator 1- SMT (Swing) Job Function: Manufacturing Job Overview: The SMT Equipment ... lead or SMT technician, * Inspect finished boards for quality and quantity of work performed,

Unigen

Production Operator 2 - SMT (Swing)

Newark, CA · On-site

$23 - $25/hr

Production Operator 2 - SMT (Swing) Job Function: Manufacturing Job Overview: The SMT Operator is ... lead or SMT technician, * Inspect finished boards for quality and quantity of work performed,

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Lead Production Operator information

See California salary details

$12

$22

$34

How much do lead production operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for lead production operator in California is $22.18, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.79 and $24.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a lead production operator?

A Lead Production Operator oversees and coordinates the daily activities of production line workers in a manufacturing or processing facility. This role involves setting up equipment, monitoring production processes, ensuring quality standards are met, and troubleshooting issues as they arise. The Lead Production Operator also trains and mentors team members, maintains safety protocols, and often serves as the point of contact between management and the production team. Strong leadership, technical skills, and attention to detail are essential for success in this position.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lead production operator?

To thrive as a Lead Production Operator, you need a solid understanding of manufacturing processes, equipment operation, and safety standards, often supported by a high school diploma or technical certification. Familiarity with production management systems, quality control tools, and basic maintenance procedures is typically required. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills help motivate teams and resolve issues efficiently. These abilities ensure smooth production flow, high-quality output, and a safe, productive work environment.

What are some common challenges lead production operators face when overseeing a production line?

Lead Production Operators often encounter challenges such as coordinating team members with varying experience levels, troubleshooting equipment malfunctions under time pressure, and maintaining production targets while ensuring safety and quality standards. Balancing administrative responsibilities, like shift reports and inventory tracking, alongside hands-on supervision can also be demanding. Effective communication and quick problem-solving are key to successfully managing these challenges and maintaining a smooth workflow.

What is the difference between Lead Production Operator vs Production Technician?

AspectLead Production OperatorProduction Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; experience in manufacturing; sometimes certifications in safety or equipment operationHigh school diploma or equivalent; technical certifications or training often preferred
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plant, production line, often supervisoryManufacturing or industrial setting, focused on equipment maintenance and troubleshooting
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used in manufacturing, food production, chemical plantsUsed across similar industries, often working alongside Lead Operators

The Lead Production Operator typically oversees production processes, supervises team members, and ensures safety and efficiency, requiring leadership skills. Production Technicians focus on maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing equipment, often with technical certifications. Both roles are vital in manufacturing environments, but the Lead Production Operator has more supervisory responsibilities, while the Production Technician emphasizes technical expertise.

What are the responsibilities of a lead production operator?

A lead production operator oversees daily manufacturing operations, ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency. They coordinate team activities, monitor equipment performance, troubleshoot issues, and enforce safety protocols, often using production management software. Strong communication skills and knowledge of production processes are essential for this role.

What are popular job titles related to Lead Production Operator jobs in California?

For Lead Production Operator jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Lead Production Operator jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Lead Production Operator jobs in California are:

Lead Production Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Production Operator job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,125 per year, or $22.2 per hour.

Production Operator II

Niagara Bottling, LLC

Vernon, CA • On-site

$23.52 - $31.16/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago

Niagara Bottling rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 115 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

100th of 445 rated food and drinks producers

Job description

At Niagara, we're looking for Team Members who want to be part of achieving our mission to provide our customers the highest quality most affordable bottled water.
Consider applying here, if you want to:
  • Work in an entrepreneurial and dynamic environment with a chance to make an impact.
  • Develop lasting relationships with great people.
  • Have the opportunity to build a satisfying career.

We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages for our Team Members.
Production Operator II
Performs a variety of tasks requiring knowledge of production processes and responsible for day to day operations associated with the production lines.
Essential Functions
  • Responsible for overall maintaining of a production line, including starting and stopping of all equipment (palletizers, carton makers, carton sealers, drop packers, injection, etc.) as applicable.
  • Ability to perform minor adjustments to production equipment as directed. No mechanical work is to be performed without prior approval.
  • Responsible for accurately completing and updating information forms and logs such as Machine Report, Quality Report, Downtime Report and Carton Top Load Report
  • Ability to recognize unsafe conditions and actions and follow plant safety rules including safe lifting practices and safe machine operations. Personal protective equipment is to be used where required.
  • Housekeeping: maintain general housekeeping in all areas of production, including the break rooms and rest rooms. Bale plastic, cardboard and contaminated bottles when needed; grind bottles when needed.
  • Raw materials: keep bottle caps, labels, cartons, trays, tray and pallet wraps (plastic rolls), pallet glue for hot melt tanks, slip sheets, etc. in adequate amounts to ensure continuous smooth running of equipment and operation.
  • Maintain quality requirements in accordance with company standards; accurately filling out hourly inspection sheets based on overall production quality. Responsible for recognizing and reporting all quality defects immediately.
  • Ability to work in multiple areas of production with minimal supervision; perform relief duties when required
  • Ability to troubleshoot minor production equipment issues in all areas and collaborate with maintenance team as necessary.
  • Understanding of computer systems such as Oracle/MES or current order management system
  • Comprehension of line flow and manufacturing process to maximize through put
  • Ability to communicate issues clearly and concisely
  • Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of the job.
  • Ability to work 12 hour shifts, day or night, on a rotating 2-2-3 schedule.
  • Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without prior notice.

Qualifications
  • Minimum Qualifications:
    • 2 Years - Experience in Field or similar manufacturing environment
    • 2 Years - Experience in Position
    • 0 Year - Experience managing people/projects
    • Experience operating multiple manufacturing machines

*experience may include a combination of work experience and education
  • Preferred Qualifications:
    • 4 Years - Experience in Field or similar manufacturing environment
    • 4 Years - Experience working in Position
    • 2 Years - Experience managing people/projects

*experience may include a combination of work experience and education
Competencies
This position embodies the values of Niagara's LIFE competency model, focusing on the following key drivers of success:
  • Lead Like an Owner
    • Makes safety the number one priority
    • Keeps alert for safety issues and escalates immediately
    • Effectively prioritizes tasks based on department goals
    • Shows respect to others and confronts interpersonal issues directly
    • Prioritizes resolution of customer issues effectively
    • Responds promptly and honors commitments to internal and external customers
  • InnovACT
    • Makes recommendations to continuously improve policies, methods, procedures, and/or products
    • Demonstrates adaptability by reacting appropriately to unexpected changes in situations or circumstances
    • Increases performance through greater efficiency
  • Find a Way
    • Seeks to develop technical knowledge through learning from other experts
    • Understands interdepartmental impact of individual decisions and actions
    • Seeks solutions rather than placing blame
  • Empowered to be Great
    • Consistently looks for ways to improve one's self through growth and development opportunities
    • Communicates clearly and promptly up, down, and across
    • Communicates effectively to manage expectations

Education
  • Minimum Required:
    • High School Diploma or GED
  • Preferred:
    • Associate's Degree

Certification/License:
  • Required: N/A
  • Preferred: N/A

Foreign Language
  • Required: None Required
  • Preferred: None Required

Typical Compensation Range
Pay Rate Type: Hourly
$23.52 - $31.16 / Hourly
Benefits
Our Total Rewards package is thoughtfully designed to support both you and your family:
Regular full-time team members are offered a comprehensive benefits package, while part-time, intern, and seasonal team members are offered a limited benefits package.
  • Paid Time Off for holidays, sick time, and vacation time
  • Paid parental and caregiver leaves
  • Medical, including virtual care options
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Health Savings Account with company match
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Expanded mental wellbeing benefits including free counseling sessions for all team members and household family members
  • Family Building Benefits including enhanced fertility benefits for IVF and fertility preservation plus adoption, surrogacy, and Doula reimbursements
  • Income protection including Life and AD&D, short and long-term disability, critical illness and an accident plan
  • Special discount programs including pet plans, pre-paid legal services, identity theft, car rental, airport parking, etc.
  • Tuition reimbursement, college savings plan and scholarship opportunities
  • And more!

https://careers.niagarawater.com/us/en/benefits
* *Los Angeles County applicants only** Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the California Fair Chance Act, and any other applicable local and state laws.
Any employment agency, person or entity that submits a résumé into this career site or to a hiring manager does so with the understanding that the applicant's résumé will become the property of Niagara Bottling, LLC. Niagara Bottling, LLC will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.
Employment agencies that have fee agreements with Niagara Bottling, LLC and have been engaged on a search shall submit résumé to the designated Niagara Bottling, LLC recruiter or, upon authorization, submit résumé into this career site to be eligible for placement fees.

What Niagara Bottling employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Niagara Bottling logo

About Niagara Bottling

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Niagara Bottling, LLC has been family owned and operated since 1963. Niagara is a leading bottled water manufacturer in the U.S., supplying major retailers across the nation. Nielsen +/biNyDGcAS61OV0GIrHcWTOCFo= Nielsen is a global leader in audience measurement, data and analytics, shaping the future of media. Measuring behavior across all channels and platforms to discover what audiences love, we empower our clients with trusted intelligence that fuels action. Do you want to move the industry forward with Nielsen? Our people are the driving force. Your thoughts, ideas and expertise can propel us forward. Whether you have fresh thinking around maximizing a new technology or you see a gap in the market, we are here to listen and take action. Our team is made strong by a diversity of thoughts, experiences, skills, and backgrounds. You'll enjoy working with smart, fun, curious colleagues, who are passionate about their work. Come be part of a team that motivates you to do your best work! NielsenIQ /xHzLYOL7B5gJKeErHR5OpVt2Os= NielsenIQ is a global measurement and data analytics company providing the most complete and trusted view of consumers and markets in 90 countries covering 90% of the world's population. Focusing on consumer-packaged goods manufacturers and FMCG and retailers, we enable customers to defy what's possible. How? We combine unparalleled datasets, pioneering technology, and the industry's top talent to create insights that unlock innovation. Join us and change the landscape. Nike weB0VQ7iUwaCHWNipwHEhUU5oFo= Our purpose is to unite the world through sport to create a healthy planet, active communities, and an equal playing field for all. In order to stay at the top of our game, we're always looking to level-up with outstanding people who provide the kind of above-and-beyond service that inspires Nike fans for life! NOCD qMdV2+zQfKcKckWjOX3hDGP8fkM= NOCD is the #1 telehealth provider for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD is one of the most severe, prevalent, and misunderstood mental health conditions. NOCD creates access to online therapy for people with OCD through our telehealth platform. In the NOCD app, members can quickly access and schedule live, face-to-face video therapy sessions with our national network of licensed therapists that specialize in Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP) - considered the gold standard" in OCD treatment. At NOCD, we help people reclaim their lives with clinically proven OCD treatment, by removing barriers to OCD care, and reducing the stigma associated with OCD. We're changing the world and need other like-minded individuals to accelerate and expand our efforts.

Industry

Food and beverage stores

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Diamond Bar, CA, US

Year founded

1963

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