Kitchen Lead

At Russell Stover, not only do we love chocolate, but we love our jobs! Every day we go to work exhibiting our values of excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, responsibility, and collaboration. Working at Russell Stover you'll be part of the leading manufacturer of boxed, seasonal, and sugar-free chocolates. For over 100 years, Russell Stover Chocolates, Whitman's, and Pangburn's have been crafted with the finest ingredients to bring happiness to generations. Today, we produce over 55 million pounds of chocolate annually, and our legacy brands can be found in 13 company-owned stores and over 9,000 wholesale accounts. Join our team and let's continue making chocolate lovers happy!

A day in the life...

The Production Lead has a direct role in the chocolate production process from beginning to end. They are responsible for ensuring each piece of candy that comes out of our facility is "Only the Finest" quality that our customer have grown to expect. A production lead is expected to direct, train, and assist employees. It is your responsibility to ensure your specific area remains safe, efficient, and up to quality standards. You will work within our SAP management system on a daily basis as well as maintain records. The typical schedule for this position is Monday through Thursday, 3:15pm to 1:45am. Overtime may be required. In order to be considered an applicant for this position, you must upload a resume with your application.

What you will be doing...

• Directs, controls, monitors, assists and trains employees assigned to a specific area, line or team per Supervisor's instructions.
• Must be able to communicate with and delegate tasks to team members.
• Operates machinery, equipment and tools in a safe and proficient manner according to standards, guidelines and instructions.
• Maintains records, delivers, inspects and performs all activities required of other members of the area, line or team.
• Must be able to read and understand rules, tapes, scales and thermometers.
• Must be able to read and understand product specifications established by Russell Stover Candies and recognize deviations from those specifications.
• Performs clean-up activities as assigned.
• May be asked to perform other duties as determined by proper authority.

Do you have what it takes?

(Basic Qualifications)

• At least 18 years of age
• High school diploma or GED
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to routinely and frequently stand, stoop, bend, and lift during a 10 - 12 hour shift
• Ability to stand on hard surfaces for the duration of a 10 - 12 hour shift
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment.

Do you stand above the rest?

(Preferred Qualifications)

• Must be able to utilize SAP for production purposes.
• Must be able to utilize SAP sessions.
• Must be able to follow, train, and monitor SOP/QUA's.
• Must be forklift certified.
• Must be NWM certified, to include baggers.
• Must be able to set up, and manage production line, and off line projects.
• Must be able to modify shift schedule as needed.
• Must be able to lead employees in all factory departments.
• Must be able to learn specific job duties as required in any factory department.
• A passion for learning
• College degree
• Lead or supervisor experience
• Experience using an RF scanner.
• At least two years of manufacturing experience

What it's like at the Russell Stover Plants

• Safety. Your safety is important to us, so we provide protective gear. We also go through an in-depth Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) training on your first day and continue to share safety tips daily
• Surroundings. You'll be working around different machines - Schubert's, forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and chocolate candy banks/steels.
• Activity. Some activities may require standing in one place for long periods, walking around, or climbing stairs/ladders, and routinely lift 50 lbs.
• Temperature. You will be comfortable year-round with our climate-controlled environment. Our temperatures are consistently around 63F but could fluctuate depending on your specific role. Temperatures within the warehouse are more consistent with the outdoor temperature.
• Smell. You will enjoy a variety of deliciously sweet aromas and you may end your day smelling like chocolate!
• Dress code. Relaxed, with a few rules to follow for food safety, personal safety and in guidance with our good manufacturing practices (GMP). Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are required. Leather, imitation leather, or rubber boots or shoes must be worn in the kitchen and other areas when working around hot liquid/product or hot water.

At Russell Stover Chocolates, we don't just accept difference - we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products, and our community. Russell Stover Chocolates is proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, military service, veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

Employment by Russell Stover Chocolates is contingent upon I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, passing the urinalysis drug screen, education verification, and satisfactory reference and background checks.

Make Happy. Work Happy.

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