Pilot Plant Team Lead - Research Development Innovation Center

Stratas Foods•Memphis, TN

19d

About The Position

The Pilot Plant Team Lead oversees the daily operations and overall management of the pilot plant facility. The role coordinates sample production for the Product Development Team, supports external pilot plant customers, maintains equipment and supplies, and ensures a clean, safe, and efficient work environment. The Team Lead also ensures compliance with Food Safety, Food Security, GMP, HACCP, Kosher, and safety requirements; coordinates employee training; maintains housekeeping and cleaning schedules; manages raw material inventories; reviews and updates standard operating procedures; and supports the equipment preventive maintenance program. The position provides support to Stratas Foods’ Product Development team by coordinating, scheduling, and executing experimental sample production and small-scale qualifying production runs while ensuring quality, accuracy, and timeliness. It maintains detailed production records and issues project production reports, assists with sample shipments, and performs minor equipment repairs and upkeep. The role also serves as the point of contact for contractors and vendors involved in pilot plant or, occasionally, RDIC facility installation, repair, and maintenance. The Team Lead maintains basic raw material and supply stocks and ensures FIFO usage, oversees compliance with Kosher parve protocols and related audits, and ensures annual training and policy reviews. The position maintains general housekeeping in accordance with BRC standards, follows the master cleaning schedule, drafts and reviews cleaning, sanitizing, and equipment-operation SOPs, and ensures equipment is serviced through the preventive maintenance program. It also supports external pilot plant services, documents the work, collaborates with onsite teams, and participates in onsite meetings. This is a full-time position.

Requirements

High school diploma or associate degree in a related field and 5–7 years of supervisory experience in a food manufacturing environment, or a bachelor’s degree in a related field and 2–4 years of supervisory experience in a food manufacturing environment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
Ability to safely operate a battery-powered forklift and pallet jack.
Shelby County Boiler Licensure and a Boiler/Steam Engineer License (1st or 3rd Class), or ability to obtain the required licenses within one year of employment.
Ability to perform a strenuous physical job, including walking and climbing and potentially lifting or moving items weighing 75+ pounds.
Ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing, interact effectively with team members and others, and demonstrate active listening and attention to detail.
Ability to prioritize tasks, manage time, and adapt to changing demands; strong organizational skills, dependability, and ability to work independently or as part of a team; sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion.

Nice To Haves

Experience in fats and oils manufacturing and/or Quality Assurance is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Coordinate, schedule, and execute production of experimental samples and small-scale qualifying production runs for the Product Development team, ensuring quality, accuracy, and timeliness.
Maintain accurate, detailed records of production projects and issue project production reports.
Assist with shipment of samples.
Perform minor repairs and upkeep to pilot plant equipment and identify and order needed materials from vendors.
Act as the point of contact with contractors and vendors for pilot plant and occasional RDIC facility installation, repair, and maintenance; gather quotes, schedule visits, and maintain training and compliance records.
Maintain stocks of basic raw materials and supplies and ensure FIFO use.
Ensure the pilot plant and storage areas comply with Kosher parve protocols and work with pilot plant personnel to lead audits with the Rabbi.
Ensure compliance with Food Safety, Food Security, GMP, HACCP, Kosher, and other pilot plant programs and policies, including annual team training and annual policy review and updates.
Maintain pilot plant housekeeping in compliance with BRC standards and perform periodic cleaning according to the master cleaning schedule.
Draft and periodically review cleaning, sanitizing, and equipment operation SOPs and ensure compliance with them.
Drive compliance with safety policies and procedures and participate on the Stratas-RDI Safety Committee.
Ensure equipment is serviced and maintained through the Preventive Maintenance program.
Support external pilot plant services, including scheduling, execution, quality and accuracy confirmation, shipment, and documentation.
Collaborate with onsite teams and participate in onsite meetings to support departmental objectives.
Perform additional duties as assigned.