Production Lead

Overview

Echo Lake Foods is a leading manufacturer of ready-to-eat egg products and breakfast foods, including waffles, pancakes, French toast, scrambled eggs, omelets, and egg patties, serving major retail, foodservice, and national restaurant customers across the United States. Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Burlington, Wisconsin, the company operates multiple production facilities throughout the Midwest and has built a strong reputation for quality, innovation, and customer partnerships.

In 2025, Echo Lake Foods was acquired by Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., the largest producer and distributor of fresh shell eggs in the United States, marking an exciting new chapter of growth. This partnership strengthens our resources, expands our capabilities, and supports continued investment in our people, facilities, and products. Creating new opportunities for employees to grow their careers within a stable and expanding organization.

The Production Lead is responsible for coordinating daily line operations, ensuring all team members follow GMPs, safety protocols, and quality standards while achieving production targets. This role supports the Supervisor by monitoring equipment performance, verifying product specifications, and maintaining accurate documentation required for food safety, traceability, and compliance. The Lead serves as the primary point of communication between operators, QA, maintenance, and management.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Line Coordination

• Oversee daily line setup, changeovers, and shutdowns according to production schedule and SOPs.
• Ensure operators and laborers are positioned appropriately to maintain safe, efficient product flow.
• Monitor equipment operation and escalate performance issues to Maintenance immediately.
• Adjust staffing, spacing, and rotation schedules to maintain productivity and compliance with ergonomic guidelines.
• Lead shift start-up meetings focusing on safety, quality, targets, and issue reporting.

Quality & Specification Compliance

• Verify products meet all customer and internal specifications, including:
• Weight, size, and dimensions
• Appearance and structural integrity
• Case counts, codes, and labeling
• Packaging material accuracy
• Conduct and review in-process checks (weights, metal detection, CCP/CP monitoring, coding verification).
• Enforce corrective actions for any out-of-spec conditions and document according to QA requirements.
• Ensure full compliance with HACCP, SQF, allergen control, and traceability programs.

GMP, Food Safety & Safety Enforcement

• Ensure all team members adhere to GMPs, proper gowning, hygiene standards, and PPE usage.
• Monitor work areas for cross-contamination risks, sanitation deficiencies, and improper handling.
• Conduct routine GMP and safety walkthroughs; correct or report all violations.
• Support all CCP and CP monitoring activities and ensure documentation accuracy.
• Maintain clean and organized workspaces using 5S principles and sanitation protocols.

Training, Coaching & Team Support

• Train new employees on equipment operation, GMPs, safety, job expectations, and SOPs.
• Provide ongoing coaching, reinforcement of standards, and documentation of performance issues when necessary.
• Support a positive, collaborative work environment focused on accountability and continuous improvement.
• Act as a role model for professionalism, reliability, and adherence to all policies.

Documentation & Communication

• Complete and verify all line paperwork, including production logs, downtime logs, CCP checks, waste tracking, and changeover records.
• Ensure all documentation is legible, accurate, and completed in real time.
• Communicate effectively with QA, Maintenance, Warehouse, and Supervisors to resolve issues and support smooth operations.
• Participate in daily production meetings, shift handoffs, and improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

Required

• Strong understanding of GMPs, HACCP, CCP/CP monitoring, and food safety fundamentals.
• Ability to lead, communicate, and coach employees effectively.
• Knowledge of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and line equipment.
• Ability to accurately complete documentation and follow written instructions.
• Minimum 1 year of experience in a food manufacturing role or equivalent.

Preferred

• Prior experience as an Operator or Lead in a food production facility.
• Familiarity with SQF standards, traceability systems, and specification sheets.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus.
• Basic mechanical aptitude for troubleshooting minor equipment issues.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand for entire shift and perform repetitive movements.
• Capability to lift up to 50 lbs as needed.
• Frequent bending, reaching, twisting, and handling of materials.
• Ability to work in cold, hot, or humid production environments.

Work Environment

• High-paced food manufacturing line with exposure to machinery, conveyors, wet floors, noise, and temperature variations.
• Requires constant awareness of safety and food safety standards.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) 3% Match
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Opportunities for advancement
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, military service, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Posted Salary Range

USD $22.00 - USD $23.00 /Hr.