Team Leader (Line Captain)

PepsiCo•Piscataway Township, NJ

4d•$60,200 - $90,200•Onsite

About The Position

The Team Leader is an elevated team member role responsible for leading day-to-day execution on a manufacturing line in partnership with the line team. This role acts as the quarterback of the shift for the line, coordinating people, materials, and resources to deliver safe, high-quality, and efficient performance. While remaining a hands-on team member, the Team Leader provides coordination direction, training and motivating a team of 7-8 team members to execute against the lines’ daily production goals. They play a key role within the line leadership triad, ensuring priorities are clear, Team member line challenges are addressed quickly, and performance targets are met. This is an empowered role with a strong voice in daily decision-making and continuous improvement. This is an excellent position to begin your leadership career path at PepsiCo! Success in this role drives a greater skillset as a people leader while learning how each member of a team plays a part to drive a stronger, better, and faster business.

Requirements

2–4+ years of manufacturing or production experience.
1+ year in a team lead or frontline leadership role.
Strong knowledge of safety, quality, and production standards.
Experience with daily management systems (DDS) and performance tracking.
Strong communication, problem-solving, and computer skills (Excel).
Familiarity with continuous improvement (Lean, IWS, etc.).
Experience leading, coaching, and developing frontline teams.
Ability to drive shift performance in safety, quality, and productivity.
Strong communication, feedback, and team coordination skills.
Experience facilitating shift meetings and daily huddles.
Ability to influence without formal authority and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field.
3–5+ years in manufacturing, operations, or process improvement.
Experience in food, beverage, or CPG manufacturing, including bottling or canning lines.
Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, IWS, and production KPIs.

Responsibilities

Act as the primary point of coordination for the manufacturing line during the shift
Set the pace and priorities for the line, ensuring the team is positioned to succeed
Monitor total line performance and adjust execution as needed to meet targets
Lead the line-level Daily Direction Setting (DDS) meeting
Bring forward the top three issues from the shift, clearly articulating risks, actions, and needs
Ensure team member input and voice are represented in daily discussions
Navigate challenges during the shift and escalate when needed
Support problem-solving and continuous improvement efforts on the line
Support a culture of ownership, accountability, and teamwork
Encourage team member participation and engagement through structured systems
Serve as a role model for safe, quality-focused, and disciplined execution
Elevate issues that impact safety, quality, or output in a timely manner
Operate all manufacturing equipment (including new innovative technologies) efficiently and safely & perform preventative maintenance
Maintain clean work area through good housekeeping practice
Keep daily records of downtime and machine operations
Regular, reliable, predictable attendance
Create a positive team dynamic that encourages learning
Support successful on-the-job training for new team members