Production Operator Lead

Niagara Water•Opelika, AL

About The Position

This position collaborates with the Production Supervisor to assist with daily production-floor operations and ensure the shift meets established safety, quality, and production goals while complying with applicable legal and food safety requirements. The role supports production activities including shift handoffs, line walkthroughs, changeovers, material coordination, quality checks, production reporting, and downtime communication. The position requires regular, predictable attendance and the ability to work 12-hour shifts, day or night, on a rotating 2-2-3 schedule or a schedule dictated by production demand. Duties and responsibilities may change with or without prior notice.

Requirements

Minimum 4 years of experience in the field or a similar manufacturing environment.
Minimum 4 years of experience in the position.
Minimum 4 years of experience managing people/projects; experience may include a combination of work experience and education.
High school diploma or GED.
Ability to work 12-hour shifts, days or nights, on a rotating 2-2-3 schedule or as dictated by production demand.
Regular and predictable attendance.

Nice To Haves

6 years of experience in the field or a similar manufacturing environment.
6 years of experience working in the position.
6 years of experience managing people/projects; experience may include a combination of work experience and education.
Associate's degree.

Responsibilities

Assist the Production Supervisor with daily activities of the assigned shift and ensure products meet company standards for safety, quality, and throughput.
Communicate with the previous shift about production-line challenges and opportunities to prepare for the shift.
Conduct walkthroughs throughout the shift to verify safety, housekeeping, and quality compliance.
Assist with batching minerals when applicable and preparing production lines for scheduled changeovers.
Order and inspect raw materials before changeovers to ensure the correct inventory for production runs.
Perform first-pass quality checks after changeovers to prevent non-conforming product.
Return raw materials after production runs are completed.
Verify discrete jobs in Oracle, the Warehouse Management System, and/or the Line Management System, including quality information and bills of material.
Support the Production Supervisor with hourly and/or end-of-shift production reports.
Use Efficiency Improvement Tools to understand and comment on line downtime, and communicate according to the escalation plan.
Follow company and plant safety programs, guidelines, rules, and regulations.
Abide by Niagara’s Good Manufacturing Practices and Food Safety Standards.
Maintain regular and predictable attendance.
Work 12-hour shifts, day or night, on a rotating 2-2-3 schedule or as dictated by production demand.

Benefits

Paid time off for holidays, sick time, and vacation time.
Paid parental and caregiver leaves.
Medical coverage, including virtual care options.
Dental coverage.
Vision coverage.
401(k) with company match.
Health Savings Account with company match.
Flexible Spending Accounts.
Expanded mental wellbeing benefits, including free counseling sessions for team members and household family members.
Family Building Benefits, including enhanced fertility benefits for IVF and fertility preservation, plus adoption, surrogacy, and doula reimbursements.
Income protection, including Life and AD&D, short- and long-term disability, critical illness, and accident plans.
Special discount programs, including pet plans, prepaid legal services, identity theft, car rental, and airport parking.
Tuition reimbursement, college savings plan, and scholarship opportunities.