Department Lead (2nd Shift)

Palmer Candy Company•Sioux City, IA

11d

About The Position

The Department Lead is responsible for leading daily production operations to ensure products are manufactured, packaged, and shipped safely, efficiently, and in accordance with company quality standards and customer specifications. The role provides leadership, coaching, and direction to production Team Members while promoting safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement. The Department Lead also maintains accurate production reporting in SAP, monitors operational performance through RedZone, and helps ensure production goals are achieved. The position oversees production line operations, staffing, work assignments, quality checks, food safety and sanitation compliance, production records, inventory, and equipment readiness. It requires collaboration with cross-functional teams and may involve overtime or extended shifts as business needs require. Regular and reliable attendance is required.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Previous leadership, lead, or supervisory experience.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Flexible, dependable, and able to work well as part of a team.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
Ability to frequently use hands to handle products and operate equipment, and perform repetitive motions involving the hands, wrists, and arms.
Ability to occasionally lift, push, pull, and carry up to 50 pounds.
Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Nice To Haves

Previous manufacturing or food production experience.
SAP experience.
Experience with production reporting, inventory transactions, and production order management.
Experience using RedZone or other ERP systems.
Working knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food safety, sanitation, and allergen control procedures.
Bilingual Spanish/English is a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead, coach, train, and support production Team Members while fostering a safe, productive, team-oriented work environment.
Oversee daily production operations to meet quality standards, customer specifications, and production schedules.
Ensure adequate staffing, assign work, communicate daily priorities, monitor performance, and provide timely feedback.
Operate, monitor, and support production lines, including packaging, product inspections, allergen changeovers, sanitation procedures, weight verification, and metal detector checks.
Prepare production lines by ensuring equipment, materials, and supplies are set up and available; assist with changeovers and start-up activities.
Maintain compliance with company policies, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food safety, sanitation, allergen control, and workplace safety requirements.
Perform routine quality inspections, maintain accurate production and inventory records, and complete required documentation accurately and on time.
Use SAP, RedZone, iPads, and Microsoft Outlook to support production operations, inventory management, performance monitoring, and communication.
Perform basic equipment troubleshooting and routine maintenance, report malfunctions promptly, and maintain clean and organized work areas.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support safety, quality, efficiency, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction.
Maintain professional conduct, work overtime or extended shifts as business needs require, and perform other duties assigned by management.
Maintain regular and reliable attendance.