Job Title: 1st Shift Production Lead - Food ManufacturingJob Description
This role leads a 1st shift production team in a food manufacturing and bakery environment, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality operations across multiple production lines. The Production Lead oversees daily line activities, supports and trains employees, drives continuous improvement initiatives, and ensures adherence to quality, safety, and regulatory standards. The position works a core schedule of 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with flexibility for additional hours as needed to meet production demands, especially during the busy holiday season.
Responsibilities
Lead and supervise 1st shift production operations across multiple food manufacturing lines in a bakery environment.
Oversee the operation of production lines to ensure they meet daily production schedules and order demands.
Directly supervise and support production employees, serving as the primary point of contact for day-to-day line activities.
Train incoming quality and production employees on standard operating procedures (SOPs), good manufacturing practices (GMPs), safety expectations, and quality standards.
Develop, manage, and adjust production schedules to align staffing and resources with production needs.
Implement and maintain quality standards, ensuring consistent product quality and adherence to customer and regulatory requirements.
Follow and enforce SOPs, GMPs, and documented processes for all production activities.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, quality, safety, and waste reduction.
Collaborate with quality assurance and sanitation teams to ensure compliance with food safety programs, including HACCP and SQF, where applicable.
Monitor packaging lines and food production processes to ensure efficient throughput and minimal downtime.
Support and oversee quality control checks and documentation in alignment with USDA, FDA, and internal standards.
Ensure safe use of large mixers, ovens, and other bakery equipment, and coordinate with sanitation teams regarding equipment cleaning and disassembly requirements.
Promote a strong safety culture by reinforcing OSHA standards and safe work practices on the production floor.
Use Microsoft programs to complete reports, schedules, and other production-related documentation.
Communicate effectively with leadership and team members about production status, issues, and improvement opportunities.
Foster a positive, supportive culture that emphasizes teamwork, accountability, and employee appreciation.
Essential Skills
5+ years of supervisory experience within a food manufacturing facility.
Experience overseeing the operation of production lines in a food and beverage manufacturing environment.
Proven experience supervising employees and serving as a lead or manager on the production floor.
Experience training employees, including incoming quality and production staff.
Experience implementing and maintaining quality standards in a food production setting.
Experience following and enforcing standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Experience with continuous improvement in production or manufacturing environments.
Proficiency with Microsoft programs for scheduling, reporting, and communication.
Familiarity with HACCP and SQF programs and their application in a food manufacturing facility.
Experience working with packaging lines, quality control, and food production processes.
Knowledge of USDA and FDA requirements as they relate to food manufacturing.
Experience implementing SOPs and good manufacturing practices (GMPs).
Familiarity with OSHA standards and workplace safety requirements in a manufacturing environment.
Ability to lead teams in a bakery or similar food production environment with large mixers, ovens, and related equipment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
2-3 years of supervisory experience within a food manufacturing facility may be considered when combined with strong demonstrated leadership and technical skills.
HACCP certification is a plus.
SQF certification is a plus.
Experience in production management within a bakery or similar food manufacturing setting.
Background in supervision of packaging operations and packaging lines.
Experience working closely with sanitation teams, particularly where equipment must be disassembled and hand washed.
Comfort working in a fast-growing organization with plans for expansion.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills to support a collaborative and people-focused culture.
Work Environment
The role is based in a food manufacturing facility with multiple production lines, each producing different products based on daily order demand. It is a bakery environment that utilizes large mixers, ovens, and other food production and packaging equipment. Many machines require disassembly and hand washing, creating a dynamic environment where production and sanitation teams work closely together. The standard schedule is 1st shift, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with some flexibility and additional hours required during peak periods, particularly around the holiday season. The culture emphasizes hands-on leadership, with leaders working alongside production teams and not asking others to perform tasks they would not do themselves. Employee appreciation is a strong focus, supported by an engaging and supportive work atmosphere. Food is available in the breakroom, and employees receive a 20% discount on products. The company is fast-growing with plans for expansion, and employees who stay beyond nine months tend to build long-term careers due to the positive culture and work environment.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Mount Pleasant, WI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $45000.00 - $52000.00/yr.
This is a direct placement opportunity. Benefits will be provided upon start of assignment or earlier if requested.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Mount Pleasant,WI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 30, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
