Team Leader (Line Captain)

PepsiCo • Piscataway Township, NJ

3d • $60,200 - $90,200 • Onsite

About The Position

We are PepsiCo Supply Chain. We are the game changers, innovators, collaborators and history makers. The ground breakers of the Supply Chain & Logistics space. We are a diverse group, spread across 200 countries and territories, and united by a shared set of values and goals. You know our name through our amazing portfolio, including Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Quaker and Gatorade. We perform with a purpose. We dream globally and act locally, constantly innovating to sustain our planet, our people, our communities and our business practices. Together, we raise the bar in lean manufacturing practices. We put forth new standards and stretch to reach beyond the goals we set. We are a think tank, bringing our ideas into action and are determined to find ways to drive efficiencies, improve processes and achieve the highest level of safety… all while meeting the demands of our customers and consumers to deliver the best products. At PepsiCo, we are committed to performing well as individuals and in teams, and to strengthen the company as a whole. Are you hungry to be a part of the world’s largest portfolio of billion-dollar food and beverage brands? Then now is the time to explore the opportunities of PepsiCo: what makes you unique makes us better.
The Team Leader (Captain) is an elevated team member role responsible for coordinating day‑to‑day execution on a manufacturing line. Acting as the “quarterback” of the shift, this role aligns people, materials, and resources to deliver safe, high‑quality, and efficient performance. While remaining a hands‑on operator, the Team Leader provides direction, coaching, and motivation to a team of 15-20 employees to achieve daily production goals. As a key member of the line leadership triad, the Team Leader ensures priorities are clear, issues are addressed quickly, and performance targets are met. This is an empowered role with a strong voice in daily decision‑making and continuous improvement—an excellent entry point into leadership at PepsiCo. This is an excellent position to begin your 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 experience working in a manufacturing or production environment
• 1+ year of experience in a lead operator, team lead, or front-line leadership role (direct or indirect people leadership)
• Strong understanding of safety, quality, and operational standards in a manufacturing setting
• Proven ability to lead peers and influence performance without formal authority
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated accountability for shift or line performance
• Experience working with daily management systems (DDS, tier meetings, etc.)
• Basic to intermediate computer skills (Excel, production tracking systems, or similar)
• Working knowledge of continuous improvement principles (Lean, IWS, or similar)
• 1+ year leading or coordinating frontline employees (direct or indirect)
• Ability to drive team performance during a shift (safety, quality, productivity)
• Strong communication skills with ability to give clear direction on the floor
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback
• Experience coaching or training team members
• Ability to facilitate shift meetings (DDS / huddles) and align priorities
• 2+ years of people leadership experience in manufacturing
• Experience improving team performance or coaching underperformance
• Ability to influence across shifts or cross-functional teams
• Experience supporting continuous improvement or change initiatives

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• 3–5+ years of experience in manufacturing, operations, process improvement, or operational excellence environments
• Experience in food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturing
• Hands-on experience with bottling, canning, or BIB lines
• Exposure to or certification in Lean, Six Sigma, IWS, or continuous improvement methodologies
• Strong understanding of production processes, KPIs, and performance metrics
• Proven analytical and structured problem-solving capability
• Ability to influence across multiple shifts and cross-functional teams
• Technical or engineering background (education or hands-on experience)

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of coordination for the manufacturing line during the shift
• Set pace and priorities to position the team for success
• Monitor total line performance and adjust execution to meet safety, quality, and productivity targets
• Maintain regular, reliable, and predictable attendance
• Lead the line‑level DDS meeting
• Bring forward the top three issues from the shift, clearly articulating risks, actions, and needs
• Elevate the top issues from the shift, clearly outlining risks, actions, and support needed
• Ensure team member input is represented in daily discussions
• Support problem-solving and continuous improvement efforts on the line
• Navigate operational challenges and escalate when appropriate
• Support structured problem‑solving and continuous improvement activities
• Keep accurate daily records of downtime and machine operations
• Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, and teamwork
• Encourage team participation through structured engagement 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
• Support on‑the‑job training for new team members and create a positive learning environment
• Operate all manufacturing equipment—including new technologies—safely and efficiently
• Perform preventative maintenance tasks
• Maintain a clean and organized work area using good housekeeping practices

Benefits

• Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement.
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health, and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Insurance (Accident, Group Legal, Life), Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level