Production Lead & Mixer - 2nd Shift
About The Position
At Piedmont Candy Company, we’ve been crafting nostalgic sweets for over 130 years, best known for our iconic Red Bird peppermint puffs. Today, we’re combining that legacy with modern automation and innovation, creating a cleaner, more efficient, and technology-driven production environment. We’re launching a brand-new 2nd shift and are looking for a Kitchen Lead to help build and lead this team from the ground up. This role is exciting because you will be part of launching a new shift and shaping the culture from day one, work in a modernized kitchen with automated mixing and reduced manual labor, play a key role in continuous improvement and process optimization, and join a company that values grit, integrity, flexibility, and speed.
Requirements
- 2+ years of leadership experience in manufacturing preferred
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
- Ability to understand and adapt to automated systems and processes
- Basic understanding of production flow, batching, or processing (food science mindset is a plus)
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) is strongly preferred
Nice To Haves
- Food manufacturing (bakery, beverage, dairy, protein, etc.)
- Chemical or batch processing environments
- Industrial manufacturing with automated systems
- Experience overseeing mixing, batching, or cooking processes
Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of kitchen operators and candy techs
- Set clear expectations and drive accountability for performance and attendance
- Foster a positive, team-oriented, and safety-first culture
- Oversee batching, mixing, and ingredient flow to support production lines
- Ensure the right materials are in the right place at the right time
- Monitor automated systems and equipment performance
- Troubleshoot production issues and partner with maintenance when needed
- Operate within a highly automated kitchen environment (less manual lifting, more system oversight)
- Identify and resolve process disruptions, equipment issues, or inconsistencies
- Apply basic food science and process understanding (especially sugar/cooking behavior) to maintain product quality
- Enforce GMPs, PPE, and food safety standards
- Ensure batch consistency, temperatures, and quality checks meet specifications
- Support audit readiness and accurate documentation
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and streamline processes
- Partner cross-functionally with Quality, Maintenance, and Operations leadership
Benefits
- Competitive pay (based on experience)
- Stable schedule: 4-day workweek (Monday–Thursday, 10 hrs)
- Opportunity to grow with a company investing in modernization
- Supportive, team-oriented culture
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
