Production Team Lead (Weekday Shift)

Shift Schedule: Monday-Thurdsay 6:00am to 4:30pm (plus breaks)

Who We Are

Spot & Tango is an innovative pet health & wellness brand that delivers personalized meal plans on a subscription basis. Our recipes are developed by leading animal nutritionists, and are made with only real, human-grade ingredients... and nothing artificial! We have lofty goals (to make every dog in the country healthier, and every pet parent happier!) and we are looking for the right people to help us get there. This is an exciting opportunity to join a VC-backed, high-growth, e-commerce startup and have an outsized impact in an extremely fast-paced environment. Plus, you get to think about dogs all day!

Who You Are

We are looking for a motivated Production Team Lead to join our state-of-the-art freeze drying facility in Allentown, PA! In this role, you will manage the team that is responsible for the safe and efficient production of high-quality, fresh, human-grade food. The Production Team Lead is a hands-on position, working within the production rooms daily. You will be responsible for the daily oversight of tray fill, freeze dryers, pack room, and washroom. You will also be responsible for delegating tasks to team members, filling in where needed, and ensuring production goals are met efficiently. You will report directly to the Production Manager to oversee all aspects of the production flow, including food safety, quality assurance, employee performance, and safety standards. This job requires strong communication, analytical, interpersonal, and team-building skills to support site objectives.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain product quality and safe food handling practices while prioritizing individual safety and reporting any concerns to management
• Support operation of freeze dryers, including filling, loading/unloading trays, and sanitizing equipment
• Operate equipment (i.e. dishwashers, boxers, taper, and hand trucks) according to proper safety standards  
• Demonstrate a high degree of ownership for product quality and food safety through maintaining accurate records of QC checks, production reports, and inventory management
• Assist the Maintenance team in equipment troubleshooting
• Document any inefficiencies in production, identify the root cause behind the issue, and implement corrective action
• In-depth knowledge and ability to train employees within all production areas, including tray fill, washroom, packing, and freeze dryers
• Ability to lead production rooms and assign tasks to others
• Coach and train new hires and team members on room-specific duties and functions
• Able to execute production goals for assigned areas with strict adherence to GMP regulations and guidelines
• Coach, counsel, and inspire employees not only to meet but also exceed required production goals 
• Strong communication skills. Provides constructive feedback without shutting down communication among team members
• Conduct effective meetings  
• Develop, audit, and update work instructions and trainings as needed
• Able to effectively use and train on Parity Factory 
• Ensure that all team members are trained on safe procedures when using industrial equipment
• Handle conflicts with the assistance of HR while always fostering a positive work environment 
• Complete other duties as assigned by the Production Manager/Management

Production Goals

• Lead day-to-day production activities, ensuring smooth and efficient operations. Average daily work distribution of 70% time on production floor and 30% time completing administrative tasks
• Oversee room operations and work alongside line operators to meet daily production volumes and goals 
• Able to troubleshoot and resolve hurdles to maximize efficiency, quality, and safety
• Able to analyze the root cause of inefficiencies or missed targets

Quality Control

• Strong attention to detail and ensuring that production meets Spot & Tango’s high-quality standards
• Follow food safety guidelines and procedures (SOP’s)
• Must understand and follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s)
• Participate in ongoing food safety training

Safety

• Ensure that the workplace is safe and that employees wear proper PPE
• Ensure that equipment is functioning properly and adheres to safety standards
• Operate equipment as needed such as forklifts, conveyors, etc.
• Willing and comfortable to hold employees accountable for safety violations
• Complete timely documentation for safety-related incidents, both positive and negative 

Schedules/Training

• Create and maintain training schedules for personnel. Ensure new hires are properly trained by the trainers 
• Actively participate in meetings (leading as necessary), to provide valuable insights and constructive feedback

Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and coach the Production Team 
• Work closely with the Production Manager, Shift Manager, and HR for any employee relation matters 
• Serve as backup and fill-ins for team members as needed 
• Monitor the performance of employees within the processing rooms
• Inform management when employees are not following policies and/or procedures 
• Strong written and verbal communication with the Shift Manager and Production Manager to ensure goals are aligned and Management is aware of any shortcomings or areas of opportunity for improvement 

Qualifications:

Must Have

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Basic equipment troubleshooting experience
• Able to operate a computer and/or tablet and utilize the basic standard desktop systems (e.g., ERP, MES, Microsoft Excel)
• Able to read, write, and communicate effectively in English
• Strong leadership abilities with a hands-on, problem-solving approach 
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment and being able to multitask 
• Focus and emphasis on process improvement
• Capable of ensuring a safe work environment while managing worker safety 
• Strong attention to detail, well-organized, and time management skills
• Familiarity with computer systems such as Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, G-Suite
• Working knowledge of Lean/TPM manufacturing principles
• Working knowledge of HACCP and GMPs
• Experience working with equipment HMIs

Physical Requirements

• Physical Demands: lifting and lowering up to 50 pounds, reaching, standing, walking, stooping, crawling, twisting, repetitive motions, working in high elevations (above 6 feet)
• Ability to work with allergens and chemicals that might be present in the food environment 
• Ability to work in hot (60℉ to 100℉), cold (-20℉ to 60℉), noisy, dusty, and wet environmental working conditions
• Wear safety PPE (hard hat, body harness, face shield, steel-toed boots)
• Adhere to GMP requirements (hair/beard nets, uniforms, hygiene)