Line Manager Jobs in Gaithersburg, MD (NOW HIRING)

About Us:

Elite Spice is an industry leading spice importer and custom manufacturer offering an extensive line of spices, seasonings and specialty food ingredients. American owned and operated, with six separate state-of-the-art facilities on the East and West Coasts, Elite’s focus on food safety is uncompromising. With a reputation for exceptional quality, superior R&D capabilities, experienced technical support and outstanding customer service, Elite Spice is prepared to meet the needs of all segments of the commercial food industry.

Position Overview:

The primary purpose of the Bottling Line Manager is to lead daily bottling and packaging operations, ensuring production targets are met safely, efficiently, and in compliance with food safety and quality standards. The incumbent may perform a variety of functions which will include leading a team of production associates, ensuring adherence to safety and quality protocols, coordinating with Quality and Maintenance teams, and playing a hands-on role in continuous improvement.       

Key Responsibilities: Performs any combination of (but not limited to) the following duties:

• Start-up & Line Readiness
  • Lead the commissioning and start-up of a new bottling line for dry spices and seasoning blends.
  • Partner closely with Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, QA, and vendors to ensure equipment is installed, tested, and operating according to specifications.
  • Develop and document standard operating procedures (SOPs), changeover procedures, cleaning protocols, and start-up/shutdown checklists.
  • Establish, track, and continuously improve line performance metrics (OEE, yield, changeover time, downtime, etc.).
• Daily Operations & Line Management
  • Serve as the primary operator/owner of the bottling line, including fillers, cappers, labelers, coders, checkweighers, and associated conveyor systems.
  • Plan, coordinate, and monitor daily production to meet schedule and cost targets.
  • Ensure all product is filled, sealed, labeled, coded, and packaged in accordance with specifications and regulatory requirements.
  • Troubleshoot operational issues in real time, making necessary adjustments to minimize downtime and material waste.
• People Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Supervise, train and coach line operators and packaging associates assigned to the bottling line.
  • Build a high-performance, safety focused culture on the line through clear expectations, feedback, and accountability.
  • Collaborate with Technical Service and Quality Control on product standards, weights, labels, allergen controls, and GMP compliance.
  • Work with various Production departments to ensure timely availability of raw materials and packaging components.
  • Interface regularly with Maintenance and Engineering to prioritize preventative maintenance, repairs, and line improvements.
• Quality, Safety & Compliance
  • Model and enforce strict adherence to food safety, GMPs, and company policies at all times.
  • Conduct and document line checks (weights, fill levels, torque, labels, codes, seals, packaging integrity) with extreme attention to detail.
  • Support and participate in internal and external audits as needed.
  • Identify and drive corrective and preventative actions (CAPA) related to quality or safety on the line.
• Continuous Improvement & Mechanical Support
  • Proactively identify opportunities to improve line throughput, changeover times, ergonomics, and material utilization.
  • Perform basic mechanical adjustments, minor repairs, and format changes; escalate more complex issues to maintenance.
  • Contribute to capital and process improvement projects associated with the bottling operations.

Education & Experience:

• Required:
  • Proven experience operating and/or supervising an automated bottling or packaging line handling powders, granulates, or similar dry products.
  • Demonstrated experience leading a small team (lead, senior operator, or supervisory experience) in a manufacturing or packaging environment.
  • High level of attention to detail, particularly around weights, codes, labels, lot traceability, and documentation.
  • Strong mechanical aptitude; comfortable with equipment adjustments, basic troubleshooting, and interpreting manuals and line documentation.
  • Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), food safety, and workplace safety standards.
  • Solid team player who uses organizational and communication skills to work effectively across departments (Operations, QA, Maintenance, Planning, Warehouse, etc.).
• Preferred:
  • Experience in food, beverage, nutraceutical, or spice/seasoning industry.
  • Direct experience bottling or packaging dry spices, seasonings, or other food powders.
  • Experience with start-up/commission of new lines or equipment.
  • Background working in environments with SQF, BRC, or similar third-party food safety certifications.

Keywords: Bottling line manager, production manager