Live Production Technician

PRIMARY FUNCTION:                     

Primarily responsible for assuring all procedures are followed in achieving the highest level of productivity in the most cost efficient manner possible while still maintaining customer specifications. Direct a team of employees, ensuring compliance with all food safety programs, and enforcing Wayne Farms’ policies. Responsible for employees’ performance, development, safety, and work schedule.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:                        

• Train and provide an environment for employees to achieve maximum quality and productivity performance.
• Manage employee performance, providing positive and/or corrective feedback.
• Promote safety throughout assigned work area.
• Ensure reporting requirements are fulfilled in a timely manner.
• Ensure proper staffing before start-up of production line, and oversee job rotation facilitating ergonomics.
• Supervise, coach and train employees, providing professional development through ongoing feedback concerning strengths and areas in need of improvement.
• Work with Quality Assurance ensuring a food safe and sanitary environment within specifications and USDA requirements.
• Establish and adjust procedures meeting production schedules, production efficiencies, and budget objectives.
• Maximize yields and throughputs while minimizing downtime, accidents and turnover through encouragement and team building.
• Plan and implement process improvements.
• Ensure compliance with established food safety programs, including HACCP programs, SSOPs and GMPs.
• Optimize profit reducing costs with continuous improvement activities through employee involvement and positive leadership.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• 30 - 100 hourly production employees.
• This is a Leader of People position with required competencies:  Sizing up People, Delegation, Planning, Customer Focus and Conflict Management.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 1 year experience in a similar production environment.
• Minimum 1 year leadership and/or supervisory experience of 20+ persons.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Associate’s Degree or some college coursework completed in a relevant discipline from an accredited institution.
• 3+ years’ experience within the food manufacturing industry.
• 3+ years’ supervisory and/or leadership experience.  

REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS:

• Working knowledge of poultry processing, food safety regulations, OSHA guidelines, GMPs and HACCP.
• Proficient knowledge of production processes, general line maintenance and staffing.
• Proficient English language knowledge and skills (oral and written).
• Demonstrated leadership skills and abilities.
• Demonstrated success building effective teams with proven ability to lead by engaging and motivating a team and influencing an organization.
• Effective interpersonal communication skills sufficient to communicate and interact effectively with all levels within the organization.
• Proficient knowledge and use of Microsoft office programs.
• Ability to work in fast paced environment with multiple priorities.
• Ability to handle and resolve most issues independently.
• High work capacity, dependable, results oriented and strong sense of urgency.
• Demonstrated sound work ethic, honesty and moral character.

REQUIRED PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS:

• Understand and interpret data while drawing logical conclusions based on available inputs.
• Critical thinking skills in standardized situations as well as non-routine problems.
• Manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and prioritize work accordingly.

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS:

• Follow departmental and company safety policies and programs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Work in extreme temperatures, frequently subject to extreme wet and cold, as well as hot and humid environments.
• Subject to odors and areas with moderate to extreme levels of noise.
• Lift up to 50 pounds.
• Bending, twisting, climbing, stacking, pushing and standing for long periods of time.
• Occasional weekend and off-shift work required.     

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.