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Production Leader Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The Production Leader is responsible for managing the production (kitchen) area and ensures that McDonald's standards for food quality and excellence are followed at all times by all kitchen ...

Production Leads

Del Rey, CA · On-site

$17 - $19/hr

We are hiring Production Leads to help oversee daily production activities, support employees, and ensure production, quality, and safety standards are met throughout the busy pomegranate season.

This role is ideal for a hands-on production leader with a strong electronics background who can guide daily assembly activities, support team performance, and help maintain high standards for ...

New

Production Line Leader Department: Managed Services Employment Type: Full Time Location: Watsonville, CA Reporting To: Co-Packing Production Manager Compensation: $18.00 - $20.00 / hour Description ...

Coating Production Manager

Murrieta, CA · On-site

$100K - $138K/yr

Job Details The Coating Production Manager leads daily operations for Attalon's thin‑film coating production department. This role is responsible for building discipline, consistency, and alignment ...

Position Summary The Production Line Leader is a hands-on supervisory role responsible for driving the performance, quality, and efficiency of a dedicated production line at El Pájaro CDC Co-packing.

If you're equal parts creative storyteller, production leader, and team builder, this is an opportunity to put your fingerprints on how an iconic brand shows up in the world. * Lead Pelican's video ...

If you're equal parts creative storyteller, production leader, and team builder, this is an opportunity to put your fingerprints on how an iconic brand shows up in the world. * Lead Pelican's video ...

If you're equal parts creative storyteller, production leader, and team builder, this is an opportunity to put your fingerprints on how an iconic brand shows up in the world. * Lead Pelican's video ...

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Showing results 1-20

Production Leader information

See California salary details

$12

$22

$34

How much do production leader jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for production leader 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 production leader?

Production Leaders are professionals responsible for overseeing and coordinating the day-to-day operations on a manufacturing or production floor. They ensure that production targets are met safely, efficiently, and within quality standards. Their duties often include supervising staff, managing workflow, resolving issues, and implementing process improvements. Production Leaders also play a key role in training employees and maintaining a safe working environment.

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

To thrive as a Production Leader, you need expertise in manufacturing processes, process optimization, and team supervision, often supported by a degree in engineering, business, or a related field. Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, ERP systems, and production scheduling tools is highly beneficial. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and excellent communication skills help drive team performance and maintain operational efficiency. These skills are crucial for ensuring productivity, product quality, and continuous improvement in a fast-paced production environment.

How does a production leader typically collaborate with other departments to ensure smooth workflow on the production floor?

A Production Leader plays a central role in coordinating with departments such as quality assurance, maintenance, logistics, and supply chain to keep production running efficiently. They regularly communicate with these teams to address issues like equipment downtime, material shortages, or quality concerns. This collaboration often involves daily meetings, cross-department updates, and joint problem-solving sessions. Building strong working relationships across departments is key to anticipating potential bottlenecks and ensuring production targets are met.
Infographic showing various Production Leader job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,125 per year, or $22.2 per hour.

Production Leader

McDonald's

Ridgecrest, CA • On-site

$21/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Re-posted 14 days ago


McDonald's rating

5.1

Company rating: 5.1 out of 10

Based on 11,127 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

60th of 107 rated fast food restaurants


Job description

The Production Leader is responsible for managing the production (kitchen) area and ensures that McDonald's standards for food quality and excellence are followed at all times by all kitchen employees. The Production Leader reports to the General Manager and Assistant Manager, and works side-by-side with the Shift Leaders to ensure service times are being met by ensuring our food is made correctly and quickly. The Production Leader serves as a leader in the production area and they lead a productive team that focuses on food quality, safety, cleanliness and teamwork. They perform administrative tasks as needed.
Job Responsibilities
In addition to following company policies and procedures, main responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
People
• Leads by example and is a role model for the standards and behaviors consistent McMarro Company Policies and company culture
• Shows respect for others and is sensitive to cultural/generational differences
• Creates a positive and welcoming environment for all restaurant employees and guests
• Motivates team members to ensure everyone is active and involved; works to increase morale, inclusion and build confidence within the team
• Communicates difficult or sensitive issues at work to the GM or AM
• Supports the GM and AM in the training and development of all production staff
• Supports the GM and AM in addressing performance issues related to the production area and production employees, quickly and respectfully by coaching, counseling, and managing conflict
• Ensures production employees use appropriate tools, resources, and procedures to prevent work related injuries (employees use appropriate safety gear, slip resistant shoes are worn, wet floor signs are used correctly, etc.)
• Ensures breaks are given to production employees according to policy
Performance and Customer Excellence (PACE)
• Responsible for ensuring production employees follow McDonald's cooking procedures and Food Safety guidelines at all times
• Ensures the production team understands how their work affects customer service and restaurant results (KVS, OEPE, R2P, sandwich counts, 1800, etc.)
• Positions "Aces in their Places" and opens the second side when needed
• Reacts to danger zones in the production area
• Ensures equipment is functioning properly and smallwares are available
• Supports the GM and AM in the execution of action plans for improving the restaurant's results
• Keeps up-to-date on new products and promotions and ensures the production team is informed as well
• Proactively identifies issues, needs, and safety risks and addresses them immediately
• Ensures that food safety and security standards are being followed during their shift (hourly hand washing, proper product labeling, FIFO, sanitized towels buckets, etc.)
Business Results
• Holds self-accountable for results achieved during their shift
• Sets and communicates targets and priorities to keep self and others' focused during their shift
• Acts with a sense of urgency and does excellent quality work
• Demonstrates a willingness to do the right thing for both the restaurant and its customers
• Is proactive in carrying out job responsibilities, special projects and administrative tasks
• Makes decisions that protect the company and the McDonald's brand
Leadership Behaviors
• Maintains composure within stressful and fast-paced environments
• Handles pressure and uncertainty with ease
• Embraces change and focuses on how we can make things happen instead of why we can't
• Has a "can-do" attitude, sense of optimism, ownership, and commitment towards meeting targets
• Seeks opinions and ideas from others to become a better production leader
• Communicates clearly, consistently and openly with the restaurant team
Qualifications
• Physically able to lift up to 20 pounds and stand for long periods of time
• Must be able to perform the job duties satisfactorily, with or without a reasonable accommodation
• A can-do attitude
• Have schedule flexibility to include availability to work all three dayparts (open, mid, close) and work on weekends
• Full time employment as determined by the needs of the business
• Serve Safe Certified
• At least 18 years old with reliable transportation
Benefits
• $21 /hr
• Free meals and discounts at participating restaurants
• Health and dental insurance
• Sick Time - in accordance with City or State ordinance
• 401 K
This job profile contains general information about what is expected of a Production Leader but is not a complete description of all duties of the job. People who work in restaurants perform a number of different tasks every day. This profile does not list every essential function of the job. Failing to improve your restaurant's results can lead to disciplinary action. McMarro reserves the right in its sole discretion to amend, modify, or terminate this job profile along with any compensation plans or programs, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment at any time.

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About McDonald's

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

What began as a small drive-in restaurant in San Bernardino, California and has grown into an American icon that proudly serves 63 million customers every day around the globe. While much has changed over the last six decades, Ray Kroc's original commitment to Quality, Service, Cleanliness and Value has endured and made McDonald's a trusted favorite for over 65 years.

Industry

Food services and drinking places and restaurants

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Chicago, IL, US