2nd shift Lead Production Worker I

About SunOpta

SunOpta delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers, and foodservice providers across a broad portfolio of beverages, broths, and better-for-you snacks. With over 50 years of expertise, SunOpta fuels customers' growth with high-quality, sustainability-forward solutions distributed through retail, club, foodservice, and e-commerce channels across North America.

Summary:

The Production Line Lead I provides first-line leadership over a single production line and is responsible for ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant operations. This role oversees daily line performance, staffing, productivity, safety, and quality while enforcing SOPs, GMPs, and cleanliness standards to maintain audit readiness. The Line Lead I serves as the primary point of contact between Line Operators and Shift Supervision.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Supervise, direct, and support 4 to 11 line operators on an assigned production line

Ensure line staffing levels meet production, safety, and quality requirements

Monitor and enforce compliance with SOPs, GMPs, PPE usage, and food safety standards

Maintain and enforce line cleanliness and organization to support audit readiness

Update productivity and performance boards hourly and communicate results to the team

Monitor adherence to the production schedule and escalate risks or delays

Accurately record downtime, labor hours, waste, and material usage

Run and review Oracle inventory and production reports related to the assigned line

Assist with Oracle inventory transactions and material tracking as required

Conduct inventory checks and enforce FIFO inventory rotation

Verify correct codes, materials, and standard work are being followed

Troubleshoot routine line issues and coordinate support with Maintenance, PMOs, or Supervisors

Serve as a safety role model and promote safe work behaviors at all times

Train, coach, and provide day-to-day guidance to line operators

Communicate shift handoff information and operational updates to supervision and other shifts

Support continuous improvement and Lean initiatives at the line level

Assist with investigations related to safety incidents, quality issues, or production losses as directed

Perform other duties as assigned by supervision

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Direct daily work activities of assigned Line Operators

Provide on-the-job training, coaching, and performance feedback

Escalate employee relations, attendance, and disciplinary issues to the Shift Supervisor

This role does not have final disciplinary authority

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Demonstrated leadership ability in a manufacturing or production environment

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to lead teams in a fast-paced production setting

Working knowledge of GMPs, food safety, and safety requirements

Basic computer skills and ability to use production and inventory systems

Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and stand for extended periods (8-12 hours)

Education & Experience

High School Diploma or GED required

Manufacturing experience required

Prior lead or supervisory experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Strong organizational and time-management skills

Ability to prioritize work and manage multiple tasks

Ability to read and interpret production schedules, SOPs, and reports

Ability to identify line-level issues and escalate appropriately

Ability to motivate and coach employees

Travel Requirements:

None.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

Majority of work is performed standing. Must be able to frequently lift up to 25 lbs to 50 lbs and be able to climb and descend staircases multiple times per hour.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice

EOE M/W/Vet/Disabled

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED