2nd Shift Production Lead: Food Manufacturing
About The Position
Piedmont Candy Company is seeking an experienced Production Lead or Shift Lead to take ownership of their 2nd shift kitchen operations. This is a hands-on leadership role where the individual will guide a team of operators, oversee automated mixing and batching systems, and ensure production runs safely, consistently, and efficiently. The ideal candidate will have a background in food manufacturing, batch processing, chemical processing, or industrial production, with an understanding of production flow, equipment oversight, and team leadership in a manufacturing setting.
Requirements
- 2+ years of team lead, supervisor, or shift lead experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
- Comfort operating in and adapting to automated production environments.
- Solid understanding of production flow, scheduling, and process sequencing.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, continuously improving environment.
Nice To Haves
- Candy-making experience.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish.
- Familiarity with GMP, HACCP, or SQF food safety standards.
- Experience with continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Kaizen, 5S).
Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, and hold accountable a team of kitchen operators and candy technicians.
- Set clear performance expectations and drive a culture of ownership and accountability.
- Build and maintain a positive, safety-first work environment.
- Oversee batching, mixing, and ingredient flow to support downstream production lines.
- Ensure the right materials, quantities, and sequences are in place to meet production targets.
- Monitor automated systems and equipment performance throughout the shift.
- Troubleshoot production issues in real time; coordinate with maintenance when needed.
- Operate within a highly automated kitchen environment.
- Identify and resolve process disruptions, equipment inconsistencies, or quality deviations.
- Apply knowledge of batch processing, cooking behavior, or food science to maintain product consistency.
- Enforce GMPs, PPE requirements, and food safety standards across the shift.
- Ensure batch consistency, temperatures, and quality checks meet specifications.
- Maintain accurate batch records and documentation; support audit readiness.
- Identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve throughput, and streamline workflows.
- Partner cross-functionally with Quality, Maintenance, and Operations leadership on improvement initiatives.
Benefits
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401k / retirement plan with 6% match
- Paid time off
- Stability: Over 130 years in business with continued investment in growth and modernization
- Room to grow: We promote from within and are building leadership capacity as we expand
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
