Production Lead

Aspire Bakeries is a North American baking company with a leadership position in specialty frozen baked goods. Formed from leading bakery companies, its innovative food portfolio includes breads, artisan breads, buns, cookies, donuts, muffins and pastries from beloved brands likeLa Brea Bakery,Otis Spunkmeyer, andOakrun Farm Bakery. With 13 bakeries in North America, we are committed to driving innovation, predicting upcoming consumer trends and flavors, and exceeding our customers' expectations. Aspire Bakeries champions the values of Integrity, Ownership, Customer Focus, Creativity and Care to help us deliver on People Safety, Food Safety, Quality and Collaboration.

The Production Lead is responsible for coordinating and organizing staff to produce various product varieties according to the production schedule. This role ensures products meet final expectations and adhere to product specifications.Ensure donut line positions (Sheeter, Mixing, Oven, and Packing) are covered throughout scheduled breaks during the daily production run.

Responsibilities

• Assist employees and operators by covering breaks and lunches in assigned areas.
• Performs all duties and responsibilities of Lead operators in Mixing, Oven, Sheeter, and Packing areas.
• Communicates with Quality Assurance, Sanitation, Maintenance, Shipping & Receiving to ensure responsibilities are met.
• Provides coverage as needed when the Supervisor is absent.
• Works other shifts as required by the supervisor, including rotating shifts as determined by the company
• Assist and cross-trains workers in operating and setting up equipment in mixing, makeup stations, and oven/packing areas.
• Assist Operators organizing and assigning the employees to their workstations.
• Ensure staff adheres to the production schedule.
• Suggest changes in working conditions and equipment use to increase efficiency.
• Analyze and resolves work problems or assists workers in problem-solving.
• Responsible for documentation: starter production report, downtime, batch reporting, lot # tracking, daily shaped batch report, and process control sheets.
• Ensure efficient, accurate, and timely data entry in SAP for proper reporting.
• Coordinates the work of employees in the production and packing department. Carries out supervisory responsibilities, including training, planning, assigning, and directing work; assisting in performance appraisals; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Verifies that metal detectors are operational and performs regular tests as directed by the Quality Assurance Department.

• Collaborate closely with the Machine Operator and Lead.
• Follow all applicable job procedures as outlined in the SOP manual.
• Through Aspire AOE training understands and uses Centerline and CIL daily management systems
• Participate in root cause analysis and problem-solving process
• Performs area walk daily to detect issues & defects to help reduce and maintain waste levels
• Follows standard work procedures and trains others on current best approach to minimize system variation
• Contributes to a culture of continuous improvement by sharing improvement ideas with management and actively engaging in AOE pillar activities.
• Adhere to GMPs and Health and Safety rules outlined in the employee handbook, including:
  
  
  
  • Maintains a clean, organized, and safe working environment in assigned production areas and workstations.
  • Immediately reporting any unsafe conditions, incidents, or injuries to a supervisor or lead hand.
  • Using all required personal protective equipment.
  
  
  
  

• Adhere to and ensure compliance with food safety practices, including:
  
  
  
  • Maintaining all tools in good repair and reporting any broken, damaged, or missing tools to a supervisor or lead hand (do not discard damaged tools).
  • Following all GMPs, including maintaining personal hygiene, handwashing/sanitizing, and cleaning up spills (ingredients, water, debris, wood, etc.).
  • Report any issues or deviations to supervisors, including immediately reporting any potential contamination or suspicious activity to line leadership.
  • Reporting any unusual people or behaviors to a supervisor as a part of food security protocols.
  
  
  
  

• Additional tasks may be assigned as needed

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED is required.
• Three years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• At least 1 year as a Lead operator experience and at least 6 months as an Ingredient operator or related experience
• Prior experience in a fast-paced production or packing environment is preferred.Ability to understand and operate mixing process controls and makes adjustment when necessary.
• Basic knowledge of dough mixing and operating mixing equipment
• Ability to comprehend scale and temperature readouts
• Ability to document mixing and ingredients data accurately and timely
• Ability to write clearly and legibly and possess basic effective verbal and written skills in English.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence; Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Word; Excel, (SAP) company software as required

Shift:1st (6:00 am - 2:30pm)

Benefits Designed with You in Mind

At Aspire Bakeries, we're committed to supporting your well-being, professional growth, and financial stability. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

Health & Wellness:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Company-paid life insurance
• Optional voluntary benefits

Work-Life Balance:

• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off and holidays

Financial Security:

• Competitive 401(k) plan with a 100% vested company match
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage

Continuous Growth:

• Tuition reimbursement program
• Flexible Spending:
• HSA and FSA options

Performance-Based Rewards:

We value your hard work and dedication. That's why we offer performance-driven incentive programs tailored to your role:

• Short-Term Incentive Plan (STIP): Recognizing individual and team achievements.
• Sales Incentive Plan (SIP): Rewarding excellence in sales performance.
• Bakery Incentive Plan (BIP): Focused on achieving bakery-specific performance goals.

At Aspire Bakeries, we believe that when you succeed, we all succeed. Join us and experience benefits that truly work as hard as you do!

Aspire Bakeries is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.