Production Lead - Paleovalley

Salary Range: $21.00 to $22.00 per hour

Benefit Eligible: Yes, includes health insurance (medical, dental, vision) along with paid time off and a 401(k) with company match

Location: Mesa, AZ

Classification: Non-exempt, Regular Full-time

Reports to: Production Manager

The Company

Paleovalley is a modern health-conscious snack and supplement company. We are committed to making delicious, high-quality products that do not cut corners. We source from certified organic farmers using regenerative agricultural practices. Our goal is to support our customers with better alternatives to the health-damaging junk foods and synthetic supplements lining the grocery store shelves.

Wild Pastures, our sister company, is on a mission to transform the meat industry. We deliver 100% grass fed, pasture-raised, environmentally-regenerative beef, chicken and pork and sustainably caught, wild seafood directly to our customers’ doors. We have incredibly high standards for our meat – all being raised in the USA by small-scale family farmers on lush pastures free from human-caused chemicals.

The Opportunity

The Production Lead is responsible for implementing, coordination and assigning overall duties within the production area, while adhering to quality standards, safety protocols, and regulatory requirements. The lead may have various responsibilities based on specific departments, this can include, but are not limited to packaging, inventory control, general production and general warehouse functions. The Production Lead must follow and adhere to all company process procedures and controls. The Production Lead will report to and work closely with the Production Manager.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Processing and Packaging Operations:

1. Production Floor: Oversee the production process from start to finish, ensuring that all products are manufactured in accordance with food safety regulations and quality standards.
2. Production Schedule and Coordination: Obtain production and blending schedule, request necessary ingredients and materials needed for each processing area.
3. Product and Package Changeovers: Coordinates changeover with machine operators and packaging personnel. Monitor changeovers on equipment, labelers and date coders and verify they are correctly set up following procedures and matching finished product specification sheets.
4. Monitor Packaging Operation: Continuously verify labels, code dates, seals on packaging, net weights, and product process checks to ensure finished product meets quality and specification requirements.
5. Processing Operation: Oversee and monitor all processing lines to ensure that set production goals are met while adhering to safety, quality and processing procedures.
6. Ingredients and Materials: Ensure the proper handling segregation and storage of ingredients and materials within processing areas. Coordinate ingredients and materials supplied to the processing lines efficiently to minimize downtime.

Ingredient Handling and Preparation:

1. Receive and Inspect Raw Materials: Verify that raw ingredients are correctly labeled, stored, and meet the required quality specifications.
2. Segregation Management: Ensure that ingredients are properly stored, segregated, and handled to prevent cross-contamination, using dedicated equipment and maintaining clean environments.

Quality Control & Compliance:

1. In-Process Quality Inspection: Coordinate with QA Supervisor in regards to process checks and when samples are ready to be collected or at various stages of processing or packaging.
2. GMP Compliance: Enforce Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and FDA and USDA compliance at all times.
3. Prevent Contamination: Ensure that all equipment and ingredients are free from contaminants or allergens that could affect product quality.
4. Quality Issue Notification: Notify QA Technician of any issues related to batch quality, equipment performance, or ingredient inconsistencies. Notify the Production Manager or Maintenance Technician when necessary.

Equipment Maintenance & Troubleshooting:

1. Ensure Equipment Functionality: Monitor for any signs of equipment malfunction or breakdowns and take appropriate action, including troubleshooting minor issues or escalating to maintenance teams.
2. Report Equipment Issues: Report any mechanical or operational issues to the Production Manager or Maintenance Technician.

Documentation and Reporting:

1. Maintain Accurate Records: Confirm and verify that all ingredient batch/LOT information, and any deviations are documented properly and accurately to ensure traceability.
2. Record Batch Information: Confirm and verify detailed batch / LOT records (BOM, batch production logs) are documented properly and accurately to ensure compliance and to facilitate traceability in case of any product recalls or audits.
3. Production Reports and Documentation: Maintain, review, and sign detailed records of downtime and machine operations, and properly complete all documentation and reports daily.

Safety:

1. Ensure Safe Work Practices: Enforce and follow all safety protocols and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements (e.g., gloves and eye protection).
2. Maintain Clean and Safe Work Environment: Enforce and promote a clean and safe work environment by supervising that all work areas, equipment, and materials are kept clean and orderly, adhering to health and safety standards.
3. Follow Regulatory Guidelines: Supervise and ensure that all processes are in compliance with FDA and USDA requirements and quality standards.

Team Collaboration and Communication:

1. Work closely with Production Manager, QA teams, and Maintenance Teams to guarantee smooth operations and meet production goals.
2. Report any difficulties or opportunities for improvement to the Production Manager for further optimization of processing or packaging processes.
3. Training and Mentorship: Assist the Production Manager with employee training related to equipment, procedures, and safety protocols.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position is responsible for assigning overall duties within the production area.

Competencies

1. Attention to Detail – Ability to maintain accuracy and precision in tasks.
2. Teamwork – Strong collaboration and communication skills within a team environment.
3. Work Ethic – Reliability, punctuality, and a commitment to meeting production goals.
4. Adaptability – Willingness to learn and adjust to new processes or tasks.
5. Safety Awareness – Understanding and following workplace safety protocols.

Required Education and Experience

1. Education: High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent required.
2. Experience: 1 year of experience in a leadership role in a food or supplement manufacturing environment.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

This role is performed in a manufacturing setting, which may include exposure to varying temperatures, varying noise levels including loud machinery, and dust or other airborne particles. Employees are required to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as needed, such as safety glasses, gloves, or ear protection, to maintain a safe working environment. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This position requires prolonged standing and walking for the duration of the shift. The employee will be regularly lifting, moving (pushes, pulls, or carrying objects), maintaining body balance while using abdominal and lower back muscles to provide support over time without fatigue. The employee will also carry materials weighing up to 50 pounds. The employee will use frequent bending, stooping, and reaching, as well as manual dexterity (hand, hand with arm, two hands) to operate machinery or tools and perform repetitive tasks. The position regularly works near moving mechanical parts. Work may be performed under hazardous conditions such as operating heavy equipment within the manufacturing facility. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The employee must have excellent stamina with the ability to remain focused and maintain a high level of accuracy in a fast-paced environment. The employee must adhere to all safety protocols and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. The exact schedule will be set by your manager. This position does not require travel.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance (if applicable)

The employee must be authorized to work in the United States for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

EEO Statement:

Paleovalley and Wild Pastures are equal opportunity employers. Employment and processes, including decisions to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, are based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

E-Verify:

Paleovalley and Wild Pastures participate in E-Verify, the federal program for electronic verification of employment eligibility.

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