Line Lead

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.