Lead operator

Description : Who we are

Who we are

Founded in 2014 and based in Asheville, North Carolina, Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn Inc. is a leading gourmet popcorn company in the U.

S. We sell direct-to-consumer and wholesale throughout the U.S. Poppy is the fastest-growing small to mid-sized CPG company in its category and boldly pursues ambitious goals that outperform the industry.

We believe in using only the best ingredients. We believe in spending way too much time thinking up flavor combinations and making way too many batches of popcorn to get those recipes just right.

We believe in savory. And sweet. And we especially believe in savory and sweet. Simply, Poppy makes the best popcorn you will ever eat.

We are a people first organization and offer a professionally challenging and rewarding work environment. We are looking for innovative, creative, high energy, and talented professionals that have a passion for growing strong brands and products, thriving in an entrepreneurial environment, and building and leading fun, high-performing teams.

Location

Asheville, NC

Position Description

The Lead Operator in our fast-paced popcorn production facility is integral to both production and maintenance. This role not only oversees the production process to meet daily and weekly targets but is also equipped to handle routine maintenance and troubleshooting of production equipment.

Key responsibilities include the operation and upkeep of industrial kitchen equipment,, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring compliance with food safety standards.

The ideal candidate thrives in a team-oriented environment, demonstrates meticulous attention to detail, and possesses mechanical skills to troubleshoot and perform basic repairs and maintenance on machinery.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain production equipment safely according to manufacturer's guidelines and company standards.
• Perform routine maintenance and troubleshoot equipment issues, conducting repairs when possible to minimize downtime.
• Monitors equipment operations to ensure that they are running smoothly and efficiently. This may include checking temperature, pressure, and other variables to ensure product quality and safety.
• Monitor product quality throughout the production process, conducting visual inspections and occasionally performing tests to ensure that products meet quality standards.
• Uphold the company's Food Safety and Quality standards, ensuring all products meet the required specifications.
• Achieve daily production targets effectively and efficiently while maintaining the machinery used in production.
• Report any safety, quality, or equipment issues to management promptly.
• Follow and adapt recipes to produce high-quality popcorn, following food safety regulations.
• Assist in streamlining production processes and suggest improvements in equipment usage to enhance productivity.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the production area, following strict sanitation protocols.
• Keep detailed records of production data, equipment maintenance logs, quality assurance checks, and sanitation.
• Rotate through various roles in production as needed to support comprehensive team functionality.
• Attend and actively participate in safety, production, and regular team meetings.
• Provide and implement constructive feedback within the team.
• Comply with all company safety standards and attendance policies.
• Maintain professional communication with all team members and management

Requirements : Qualifications

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years in a manufacturing environment, with at least 1 year in a supervisory or lead role. Experience in the food production industry is a plus.
• Proficiency in operating industrial kitchen and production equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to perform routine maintenance and basic repairs on machinery.
• Familiarity with manufacturer's guidelines and ability to follow technical manuals.
• Ability to quickly identify issues and implement effective solutions to prevent downtime in production.
• Familiarity with manufacturer's guidelines and ability to follow technical manuals.
• Capable of adapting to changing production needs and willing to rotate through different roles within the production facility.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities to effectively manage team interactions and report to management.
• Leadership Skills : Proven leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and guide team members towards achieving production targets.
• Ability to problem solve and willingness to learn new skills
• Ability to keep accurate, ongoing logs
• Ability to maintain attention to detail
• Works well with similar daily routines and tasks
• Ability to respect and communicate across lines of cultural differences
• A commitment to center the active process of self-awareness

Physical Demands

Extensive physical exertions which includes but are not limited to :

• Standing for extended periods
• Ability to lift 50 lbs as needed
• Repetitive bending, lifting, and hand / arm movements

Your first review will be 90 days after your start date, then a six-month check-in and a development review annually in January for the duration of your employment.

If the results of a review are unsatisfactory, more frequent reviews may be scheduled to monitor improvements. If assigned improvement goals are not reached, a warning schedule may be implemented including the possibility of termination.

During each review, your performance and ability to achieve the following metrics will be evaluated.

• Production requirements are met, and daily tasks are completed as assigned by the managers
• A consistent rate is maintained
• Popcorn is made and finished to Poppy's standard of quality
• Tool changes are conducted independently, with accuracy and consistency
• Accurate production data is entered daily
• Adherence to Poppy's safety protocols
• Adherence to Poppy's Employee Attendance Policy

Reports To

Production Director

Collaborates With

Production Team

Direct Reports

None

Classification

This position is full-time, non-exempt

Estimated Weekly Hours

1st shift : 40 hrs

Compensation details : 24-24 Hourly Wage

PI75ef6a8b50cf-26289-34385575

Last updated : 2024-05-04