Group Leader - Production

Rich’s, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family-owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants and bakeries around the world. Beyond great food, our customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size. Our portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in foodservice, retail, in-store bakery, deli, and prepared foods, among others. Working in 100 locations globally, with annual sales exceeding $4 billion, Rich’s is a global leader with a focus on everything that family makes possible. Rich’s®—Infinite Possibilities. One Family.

 

Purpose Statement

The Production Group Leader is a key role within the Operations Team of Rich’s. This role sets the tone for teamwork and fosters an environment of continuous improvement throughout the production team in areas of safety, quality, and efficiency. The Production Group Leader is responsible for facilitating first line support to the Production Associates and areas of machines and processes identified on the production floor. This role works closely with the Production Shift Lead to execute the mission. The Production Group Leader is responsible for the performance of line 1, line 2, and line 3. The Production Group Leader also keeps production on schedule and handles changes and problems. The Production Group Leader also makes line decisions when the Team Leader is unavailable and backs up the production aspects of the Team Leader position for days off, vacations and illness.

Key Accountabilities and Outcomes

• First line of support providing assistance with minor to medium level repairs to machines
• Ensure a high level of machine utilization through proactive efforts of monitoring machine OEE and scrap
• Apply cGMPs and SOPs to all manufacturing processes
• Ensure buddy checks are completed at the start of the shift and when a changeover occurs
• Ensure accuracy of daily production shift reports
• Ensure production schedules and machine priorities are adhered to and any changes are quickly communicated to all relevant parties
• Support the implementation of area improvements and communicate information within area of control to ensure best practices and adherence to new processes
• Be exceptionally knowledgeable in Production Associates duties in order to provide relief for planned or unplanned coverage
• Turnover with other Production Group Leads at both ends of the shift to discuss production changes and which tasks still need to be completed
• Give work direction to the teams on the shift - make sure the Production Associates are trained for job assignments
• Set up and prepare lines for production
• Handle any unscheduled work, reassign line workers as necessary
• Understand the principles of machinery operation in his/her area of responsibility and check to make sure it is functioning correctly
• Schedule and relieve Production Associates for breaks and lunch
• Act as liaison with other departments – Quality Control; Maintenance; Sanitation; Shipping & Receiving; Safety
• Perform pre-inspection and pre-scale of the line with QC to make sure it’s clean and ready to run the next product
• Re-emphasize safety and proper operating procedures on the line
• Ensure area is clean during and at the end of the shift
• Becomes one of the TPM Trio champions and participates in multiple pillars providing support to drive TPM
• Comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s) and all other food safety requirements as they relate to all products and processes
• Coordinates plant procedures and regulatory requirements to ensure safe and quality production and limit down time. Ensures compliance with all standard operating procedures.
• Follows and documents plant procedures in cooperation with plant associates and suppliers.
• Monitors control programs and conducts periodic checks to ensure compliance.
• Monitors plant and becomes familiar with procedures to determine whether proper procedures are being followed.
• Maintains knowledge of area of responsibility and its programs and procedures and readily assists management in problem resolution.
• Maintains and reports required operational information to management.
• Ensures that all GMP and Safety standards are in compliance.
• Participates in GMP and inspections throughout the various departments and corrects, or issues work orders to correct, any identified deficiencies. Follows up with the appropriate Associates to ensure expeditious performance of the requested work.
• Prepare all paperwork required for production records; distribute accordingly.