Production Lead Hand OPERATIONS/PRODUCTION/ SKILLED TRADES PRODUCTION LEAD HAND Managing an entire production floor alone can be a difficult task even for the most adept plant manager. However, a plant manager doesn’t perform this task alone. Plant managers need the help of Production Lead Hands to successfully do their jobs. In between the plant supervisor and line staff, lead hands are experienced workers who oversee a small group of employees in the same trade. They are specialized individuals who play an important leadership role in various departments such as production, packaging and shipping. This means there is typically more than one lead hand on a shift at a time. Production Lead Hands are an integral role to the production process and are leaders on the front line. 1. Production Lead Hands Support Production Production Lead Hands are responsible for overseeing food processing activities on production lines and support daily operations. They perform this by scheduling, staffing, training, and troubleshooting problems. All these tasks help to lead the department to meet targets and goals. Lead Hands typically have knowledge on all equipment used in a facility. This allows them to train and help line workers if any troubles come up during production. Lead hands are essential to production because they help to maintain high food safety by being role models for other employees. Sometimes they will even jump in when an extra set of hands is needed on the production line. 2. Production Leads Help to Achieve Daily Goals Lead hands are responsible for helping to meet production goals. Production goals typically are in the form of manufacturing a certain amount of product in a given set of time. Daily goals are met by coordinating the movement of product and people to achieve good efficiency. Production lead hands are able to identify people’s strengths and place then place them in production roles that best suit their skills. In addition, they communicate expectations to workers and provide performance feedback. They understand that people work better when given constant feedback surrounding a certain task. Furthermore, they encourage co-workers increasing morale and productivity. 3. Production Leads Don’t Require Post-Secondary Degrees This is a profession where the only education that you typically need is high school diploma or equivalent. This is a profession where having experience in a food manufacturing plant is much more important. Being a production lead is a very hands-on job where you work on the ground level with your co-workers. To be successful in this role it is beneficial to know the nuances of a company’s product and the equipment that manufactures it. It is also important that a lead hand continuously develops their leadership qualities and problem-solving skills. 4. Production Leads Hands Ensure Good Manufacturing Practices Production lead hands act as role models for other employees. Through their everyday actions they demonstrate commitment to improve safety and work culture. It is the production leads job to educate and train all individuals on GMPs. Production Lead Hand Working on the front lines producing food products Kaia Olah | Production Supervisor https://www.youtube.com/ embed/0abDmYrWxtI?feature=oembed Kaia Olah was going to school to become a teacher but once she started working at Gay Lea she decided to stay because she fell in love with the food industry. 34
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