At Winland Foods, we believe great food starts with great people—people who live our values of Excellence, Quality, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration every day.

As a Production Team Member, you’ll play a vital role in keeping our production process running safely, smoothly, and efficiently. You’ll operate, monitor, and maintain processing and/or packaging machinery and equipment, monitor product flow, and ensure every batch meets our rigorous quality and food safety standards.

This role is more than just keeping production moving—it’s about working with a team that supports one another, takes pride in doing things the right way, and is committed to continuous improvement. By bringing your energy, attention to detail, and respect for safety, you’ll help us deliver food experiences that consumers can trust and enjoy.

Employee Type:

Full time

Location:

ND Grand Forks

Job Type:

Production Group

Job Posting Title:

Production Team Lead

Job Description:

Schedule:12 hour shift 3-2-2, working 48 hours one week and 36 hours the next week. Weekends and Overtime required.

Work Location: 1801 N 36th St, Grand Forks, ND 58203

Salary, based on experience and other qualifications: $27.20 per hour

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with match, STD/LTD/AD&D/Life, HSA, FSA, EAP, Hospital indemnity, Accident Insurance, Identity and Fraud Protection Plan, Legal, and Critical Illness.

Duties and Responsibilities:

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time.

Safe Equipment Operation & Maintenance:

• Perform and oversee equipment operations and maintenance activities, including forklift driving, die changes, troubleshooting, repairs, and preventive upkeep for manufacturing systems, and processing systems.

• Complete equipment changeovers and address operational issues quickly.

• Use your technical skills in SAP, IQS, MII, and Weaver to keep Processing flowing.

• Monitor equipment performance and ensure efficient, safe, and continuous operation across all systems.

• Perform routine operation checks.

• Perform daily inspections, preventive maintenance, and equipment changeovers.

• Ensure proper sanitation after changeovers.

• Execute advanced troubleshooting, pre-inspection checks, and complex changeovers.

• Monitor and optimize line performance.

• Oversee assigned production lines, ensuring equipment is set up correctly, staffing is adequate, and materials are organized.

• Collaborate with Maintenance to ensure equipment functionality.

• Oversee daily production processes and troubleshoot operational issues.

• Optimize workflows to ensure efficiency and minimize downtime.

Product Handling, Quality Control & Inventory Management:

• Inspect products for correct labeling, alignment, and Processing.

• Perform manual packing and palletizing.

• Follow FIFO inventory methods, manage materials, and record shipments in SAP.

• Conduct quality checks on products and Processing.

• Verify weight control, material accuracy, and product quality at multiple checkpoints.

• Minimize downtime and defects by leading the team in Centerlining and monitoring line performance to spot issues early.

• Make real-time adjustments to prevent defects.

• Enforce quality checks on all line outputs, ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP, and food safety standards, and maintenance of accurate documentation.

• Ensure adherence to GMP, HACCP, and safety regulations in all production activities.

• Monitor product flow and quality, resolving issues promptly to meet standards.

• Reconcile inventory discrepancies through SAP and physical verification.

Food Safety & Sanitation Compliance:

• Follow GMP, HACCP, SQF, FSMA, and company food safety policies.

• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation.

• Maintain compliance documentation and complete sanitation steps during changeovers.

• Lead FSQ compliance in assigned area.

• Mentor team on food safety and enforce sanitation accountability.

• Enforce compliance for assigned lines, ensuring safety and sanitation practices are upheld, waste is removed promptly, and facility standards are maintained.

• Train employees in food safety protocols and enforce sanitation procedures.

• Maintain accurate records of safety audits and compliance reports.

• Uphold company policies and regulatory standards in all operational activities.

Team Collaboration, Leadership & Training:

• Assist team members, adapt to operational changes, and contribute to productivity, safety, and quality goals.

• Provide backup coverage for multiple roles, share knowledge with peers, and support training.

• Coordinate team activities, assign tasks, lead shift meetings, and train others in advanced operations.

• Direct changeovers, organize team activities, identify skill gaps, provide feedback, and support training programs in assigned areas.

• Guide and motivate team members to meet production goals while maintaining morale.

• Train employees on operational procedures, equipment use, and safety protocols.

• Foster a positive, productive work environment and coach team members on WE systems.

• Communicate effectively with team members, supervisors, and other departments.

Documentation, Communication & Continuous Improvement:

• Accurately complete basic production paperwork and report issues to supervisors.

• Record inventory transactions, shipments, and quality results in SAP.

• Participate in 5S efforts.

• Assist in reviewing production paperwork.

• Work with supervisors and team to develop solutions to issues.

• Act as 5S champion for area.

• Lead improvement projects, perform operator-based maintenance, and analyze downtime causes.

• Maintain thorough and accurate documentation for all production activities.

• Monitor performance metrics, identify improvement opportunities, and assist in implementing effective processes.

• Manage SAP transactions, maintain accurate production logs, and complete compliance documentation.

• Drive cost-saving and process improvement initiatives.

• Facilitate clear and timely communication across shifts and departments to align goals.

• Monitor Processing performance, address issues proactively, and provide detailed updates to management.

Knowledge, Training and Experience:

Education & Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED required.

• Minimum 1 year of work experience, preferably in manufacturing or food production.

• Forklift certification preferred (required for Advanced Level); willingness to obtain certification if not already held.

• 18+ years of age.

Technical & Mechanical Skills:

• Ability to operate, troubleshoot, and perform minor repairs on production line equipment, including cartoners, baggers, case packers, sealers, depalletizers, and palletizers.

• For higher levels, demonstrate expert troubleshooting of high-speed Processing equipment and strong understanding of theory of operation.

• Perform Winland Excellence CIL, centerlining, and line huddle activities to improve efficiency.

• Mechanical aptitude with the ability to identify and resolve equipment irregularities.

• Proficiency in SAP, hand scanners, and basic math skills.

• Advanced levels require proficiency in MII, WE systems, and interpreting line huddle measures to resolve issues.

• Computer literacy in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Safety & Compliance:

• Knowledge of GMPs, SQF, HACCP, FSMA, and other food safety regulations.

• Commitment to following all company safety policies and procedures.

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., push heavy loads, stand/walk up to 90% of shift, and climb as needed.

• Must have near and far visual acuity, some color perception, and full range of hand/arm movement.

Teamwork, Communication & Leadership:

• Communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

• Work independently and collaboratively in a team environment, with a team-first mindset.

• Provide training, guidance, and feedback to team members (progressively more responsibility at higher levels).

• Advanced levels lead projects, identify skill gaps, and support multiple initiatives with minimal supervision.

Personal Attributes & Work Ethic:

• Positive attitude, dependable, self-motivated, and willing to work overtime or weekends as needed.

• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, ability to multitask, and flexibility to adapt to changing needs in a fast-paced environment.

• Demonstrated accountability for work quality, attendance, and continuous improvement.

Physical Demands:

• Employees must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time. Tasks may involve frequent climbing, pulling, pushing, carrying, grasping, reaching, twisting, turning, and stooping.

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs frequently.

• Must have good hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and 20/20 corrected vision.

• Must have normal hearing and vision (with correction if needed), including the ability to distinguish colors for color-coded containers in production areas.

• Employees must wear all required PPE according to the specific manufacturing environment, as outlined in the Employee Handbook, posted policies, or as directed by leadership.

• Must adhere to all safety policies, including lock-out/tag-out, safe lifting techniques, and others as instructed.

• Exposure to wet, humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, high areas, fumes, airborne particles, extreme temperatures, electrical risks, and vibrations depending on the area assigned

• Must maintain a clean and safe work environment and report any food safety or quality issues immediately to management.

EEO Statement:

Winland Foods seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool, and as a global company we believe our success is enhanced by fostering equity and inclusion in the workplace. Therefore, Winland Foods is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.