Line Lead

Job description

Overview

The Line Lead is responsible for leading the daily operations of three snack production lines, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing performance. This role is accountable for driving results through the Integrated Work Systems (IWS) methodology, developing team capabilities, and building a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement. The Line Lead provides direct leadership to frontline teams while working closely with cross-functional departments and the factory leadership team to deliver business objectives and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

Lead the day-to-day operation of three snack production lines, ensuring delivery of safety, quality, service, cost, and productivity targets. Deploy, sustain, and continuously improve IWS practices and standards across the area of responsibility. Ensure full compliance with IWS work processes, Daily Direction Setting (DDS), Daily Management Systems (DMS), Centerlines, CILs, CLs, Defect Elimination, and other IWS tools.

Drive operational performance through KPI management, root cause analysis, and loss elimination methodologies. Lead, coach, and develop frontline teams, fostering ownership, engagement, and accountability. Build team capability through training, coaching, and implementation of skills development plans. Create a strong food safety, quality, and safety culture, ensuring compliance with all company standards and regulatory requirements.

Partner with Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, Supply Chain, and other support functions to improve line reliability and performance. Lead problem-solving activities and continuous improvement projects to reduce losses and improve operational efficiency. Facilitate effective communication within the production teams and across departments. Support and contribute to factory-wide initiatives as an active member of the site leadership team.

Promote a culture of collaboration, respect, inclusion, and high performance.

Qualifications

Experience in manufacturing operations, preferably within the food and beverage industry. Proven experience leading teams in a production environment. Strong knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies; experience with IWS, TPM, Lean Manufacturing, or similar systems is highly desirable. Demonstrated ability to lead people, develop talent, and build high-performing teams.Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across multiple functions. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and operational performance management systems. Fluent in Portuguese and good working knowledge of English. Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Food Science, or a related field is preferred.