Zone Lead 1st Shift

Woodland Gourmet•Waukegan, IL

5d•$25 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

The Zone Lead coordinates employee activities and product handling on an assigned production line to maximize line efficiency while meeting quality and food safety standards. The role leads daily line activities and huddles, supports production scheduling and shift handoffs, and trains employees across production lines. It also involves operating and troubleshooting production equipment, managing materials, completing production and compliance records, verifying finished goods, and communicating operational issues to the Production Supervisor. The position works in office and manufacturing environments and does not allow remote work. It requires regular sitting, standing, and walking, frequent bending and movement around the facility, and the ability to climb ladders and maneuver in small spaces. The role may involve exposure to dust, odors, and noise, and may require personal protective equipment. The hourly rate is $25–$30, and the position is eligible for an annual bonus under the incentive program terms and conditions.

Requirements

Must have a working knowledge of general warehouse operations; food industry experience is a plus.
Must be flexible with hours; overtime may be required.
Ability to lift 50 lbs; items over 50 lbs require a team lift.
Must follow all WG GMPs and consistently comply with food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements.
Basic computer skills and strong leadership abilities.
Ability to read and write English and interpret safety, operating, and procedural documents.
Solid math skills, including arithmetic with fractions and decimals, and understanding of scales and weights.
Strong communication, organization, attention to detail, and ability to multitask.
Ability to learn quickly, prioritize, and adapt to different production lines.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the job, including sitting, standing, walking, bending, moving around the facility, climbing ladders, and maneuvering in small spaces.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in English and Spanish.
High school diploma or GED.
Machine operator experience.

Responsibilities

Cross-train line employees on other assigned production lines.
Lead Tier 1 huddles and coordinate daily activities for assigned production lines.
Organize and guide line employees to ensure timely starts, efficient order processing, and adherence to production schedules.
Set up, operate, troubleshoot, and adjust production equipment, including fillers, coders, scales, and sealers.
Request and manage product and packaging materials to maximize line efficiency.
Train operators and associates, including on LOTO-certified lines and cross-training across other lines.
Complete required production, attendance, quality, and HACCP reports, and accurately enter data into EC/M3 or paper forms.
Verify finished goods against established SOPs.
Prioritize order processing in relation to shipping requirements and production schedules.
Communicate with the Supervisor and report safety, production, staffing, or line-efficiency issues.
Ensure safe equipment operation, promote a safety and quality mindset, and maintain a clean work area.
Conduct allergen and line changeovers and provide hourly updates to Performance Boards.
Collaborate with the scheduling team to ensure lines are scheduled optimally.
Support shift handoffs and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical and prescription drug plans
Dental insurance
Life insurance
Short-term and long-term disability insurance
Vision insurance
Flexible spending account
Health savings account
Tuition reimbursement
Employee assistance program
Voluntary hospital, critical illness, personal accident, legal, and identity theft benefits
401(k) with company match
Paid family leave
Paid holidays
Paid time off
Annual bonus eligibility under the incentive program terms and conditions