Second Shift Production Lead - Food Manufacturing

QTrade Teas & Botanicals is seeking an experienced Second Shift Production Lead to provide hands-on, day-to-day floor leadership to our production team.

Working under the direction of the Second Shift Production Supervisor, the Production Lead coordinates daily production activities, provides work direction, trains and coaches employees, monitors workflow, and helps resolve routine operational issues. This is a hands-on Lead position focused on supporting employees and production operations rather than formal personnel management.

Work Schedule

Monday–Thursday: 4:00 PM–12:30 AM
Friday: 2:00 PM–10:30 PM

Candidates must be able to consistently work the full second-shift schedule.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily production activities to meet established safety, quality, productivity, and schedule objectives.
• Assign daily work and provide direction to production employees based on priorities established by the Production Supervisor.
• Lead by example and reinforce compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), HACCP requirements, food safety standards, and company policies.
• Train, coach, and assist employees on standard operating procedures, equipment operation, quality expectations, and safe work practices.
• Monitor production processes and workflow to ensure products are manufactured according to specifications and quality standards.
• Identify and resolve routine production issues while minimizing downtime and maintaining production flow.
• Assist with production line setup, product changeovers, equipment preparation, and shift transitions.
• Verify production paperwork, quality checks, and operational records are completed accurately and on time.
• Communicate equipment failures, material shortages, staffing concerns, quality issues, and other significant operational matters to the Production Supervisor.
• Provide hands-on leadership to the sanitation team in meeting SQF Sanitation Standards, reinforcing GMP compliance and partnering with Quality Assurance to maintain an audit-ready facility.
• Promote teamwork, employee engagement, accountability, good housekeeping, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Assist with inventory accuracy and material movement as needed.
• Participate in daily production meetings and shift handoffs.
• Assist during customer, regulatory, and internal audits.
• Escalate employee attendance, conduct, disciplinary, or performance concerns to the Production Supervisor.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 2 years of food manufacturing or production experience.
• Previous Lead or team leadership experience preferred.
• Experience operating production equipment in a food manufacturing environment preferred.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

This is a hands-on production floor position in a food-grade manufacturing facility. Regular presence on the production floor is required to support employees and monitor operations.

The position requires frequent standing and walking and may involve bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, repetitive movements, and lifting objects up to 50 pounds.

Employees may be regularly exposed to tea blends, herbs, botanicals, dust, noise, varying temperatures, and moving equipment. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required.

QTrade Teas & Botanicals is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains a drug-free workplace

What We Offer

• Comprehensive benefits package
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Opportunities for growth and development
• Collaborative, team-oriented work environment
• Hands-on leadership experience in food manufacturing and production operations

QTrade is the nation's most prominent importer of organic teas and botanicals, boasting a distinguished history of over three decades in the industry. We are one of the few full-service manufacturers, overseeing every aspect from direct sourcing to master tea blending, in-house production, and order fulfillment. This comprehensive approach enables QTrade to offer an all-encompassing partnership model within the industry while maintaining the highest standards of quality and consistency.

Watch Our Journey and Capabilities: https://vimeo.com/750531733
Visit our website: www.qtradeteas.com to learn more