Production Lead

Company: balchem
Location: Faribault
Posted on: October 25, 2024

Job Description:

COMPANY OVERVIEW:
Balchem Corporation develops, manufactures and markets specialty ingredients that improve and enhance the health and well-being of life on the planet, providing state-of-the-art solutions and the finest quality products for a range of industries worldwide. Our corporate headquarters is located in New Hampton, New York, (Hudson Valley area) and we have a broad network of sales offices, manufacturing sites, and R&D centers, primarily located in the US and Europe. Founded in 1967, Balchem is a publicly traded company (NASDAQ - BCPC) with annual revenues over $640 million and a market cap exceeding $3.0 billion. The company consists of three business segments: Human Nutrition & Health; Animal Nutrition & Health; and Specialty Products. Balchem employs over 1,400 people worldwide who are engaged in diverse activities, committed to developing the company into global market leadership positions. To learn more about our dynamic, stable and growing company, visit www.balchem.com

POSITION SUMMARY:
Primary responsibility is to provide indirect leadership for the production rooms within the department. Responsible for machine set-up, blender and agglomerator operation, inspecting product quality, and completing paperwork for customers and the production department. This position is also responsible for insuring production operators are operating efficiently, performing work correctly, and following all safety and GMP guidelines. Also responsible for assisting in development of work instructions, training team members, and assisting in special projects. This position would be working C shift, from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am on a rotating schedule.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for performing all job requirements in a safe manner using the proper PPE and being a proactive safety role model with co-workers
• Responsible for correcting/reporting unsafe behaviors or equipment to ensure a safe working environment
• Responsible for cleanliness within the work department
• Follow all Food safety practices and processes applicable to the department
• Perform/execute job duties keeping the company's commitment to quality in mind
• Monitor and maintain all food safety activities as part of daily tasks
• Enforce food safety plan while producing product
  
  • Perform and/or assist with machine set-up for all production rooms
  • Cross trained to operate all production rooms including paperwork and set-up; must be able to perform all tasks of a Level 2 Production Operator
  • Detect quality issues and source the root cause to resolve the issue; perform any necessary adjustments to batches
  • Assist and back up Supervisor in general direction and coaching of individuals and the team, coordination of work assignments, and other items beneficial to the success of the team
  • Assist with providing daily work assignments and production priorities to the operators.
  • Relieve operators at all positions in the rooms to support breaks and lunches.
  • Coordinate and participate in PM (preventative maintenance) tasks on a daily, weekly, monthly basis.
  • Promote GMP compliance and help correct GMP issues
  • Promote quality awareness and help correct quality issues
  • Responsible for achieving established performance measures for productivity, quality, and safety levels as set for the production rooms and the whole department; monitor metrics and communicate with supervisor when standards are not met
  • Understand the product specs and operating standards by customer product and implement the necessary equipment for processing
  • Learn, understand, train to, develop and follow documented policies, procedures, and work procedures and drive others to do so; this includes product codes, coding system, line changeovers, and wet and dry line cleaning processes
  • Set up of daily productivity board and track production to board targets; assist in maintaining detailed and organized data records for the department
  • Complete computer transactions for pallet tags, placards, pick lists, pallet numbers, etc.
  • Perform customer product testing and accurately complete all customer and department required paperwork before the end of shift including incident and near miss reports
  • Perform troubleshooting of production room issues as capable and perform minor maintenance on the lines; accurately assess when to call in additional support from maintenance and management
  • Arrange with supervisor and warehouse to ensure all necessary supplies, materials and WIP are stocked on the line for daily production needs; verify correct incoming materials and ingredients are in the right area, ensure conformance to established standards and complete the material usage form
  • Assist in managing production supplies; deliver Kanban cards to designated purchasing area for replenishment of supplies
  • Assist in development of work instructions, training and auditing team members and assisting in special projects
  • Perform audits within the production areas for paperwork accuracy and compliance with SOPs, GMPs, and Safety procedures
  • Assist Commercialization group with scale-ups and customer trials
  • Cross train in related functions and assist others in obtaining cross-functional capabilities Coach and train new team members and temporary employees including new hire orientations
  • Lead others in maintaining good housekeeping and an orderly work area. Support 5S initiatives
  • Support team members with technical questions and refer all employee relations issues to the supervisor for resolution
  • On occasion, lead the Team during special projects in order to make the most efficient use of unscheduled downtime; projects may include but are not limited to; cleanups, cycle counting, safety audits, reworks, etc.
  • Document and monitor procedures and processes to eliminate variation and promote sharing of knowledge
  • Assist in implementation of productivity improvements; this person will also help plan ahead to improve utilization of resources
  • Interact and function effectively in a high-performance team environment
  • Support and assist as needed in maintaining and improving operations of the production rooms
  • Initiate and support continuous improvement and elimination of waste and variation in processes using established improvement processes
  • Must develop cooperative relationships with other departments
  • All other duties as necessary to the success of IFP, Inc.
    REQUIREMENTS:
    
    • Minimum Level 2 Production Operator ability
    • 2-4 years related experience in a progressive manufacturing setting; food or pharmaceutical manufacturing a plus
    • Knowledge of food GMP's a plus
    • Proficient computer skills (Word, Excel and ERP)
    • Ability and willingness to lead and motivate others in a positive manner, including coaching others to follow work instructions, achieve standards and team goals
    • Demonstrated ability for detail orientated work
    • Demonstrated ability to work and cross train in a team environment
    • Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team atmosphere
    • Sensitive to other cultures/backgrounds, able to work in a multi-cultural workplace
    • Strong verbal and written communication skills to train and coach team members
    • Ability and willingness to learn, understand, and follow documented work procedures
    • Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain in good standing an IFP Powered Industrial Trucks license and Scissors Lift License
    • Demonstrated ability to function in a fast-paced environment while moving multiple simultaneous projects forward
      WORKING CONDITIONS:
      
      • While performing the functions of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, and hear
      • The employee is occasionally required to kneel, crouch, crawl, bend, ascend and descend stairs and/or ladders
      • The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms
      • The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
      • Vision requirements include close vision, depth perception, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus
      • This job is performed in a production environment in a manufacturing location
      • The noise level in the plant is moderate to loud
      • There will be exposure to machine noise and food dust when in the plant
      • While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and with or around various chemicals
      • The employee is occasionally exposed to vibration and risk of electric shock
      • Production environment includes varying temperatures (heat, cold and moisture)
      • While performing certain job duties, employees may be exposed to allergens of the industry such as eggs, wheat, peanuts, dairy products, tree nuts, and soy products, as well as latex and powders
      • The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job; reasonable accommodations may be made to allow individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
        
        
        
        PI4e6bd82b4739-37248-35563042

Keywords: balchem, Maple Grove , Production Lead, Professions , Faribault, Minnesota