Lead Hand, Production

Job summary

The Lead Hand oversees production line operations to ensure safety, efficiency, and adherence to quality standards. They provide daily direction to staff, coordinate production schedules, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Job details

Join Our Team at Mariposa – Lead Hand, Production Location: Lindsay, Ontario Job Type: Full Time – Onsite Shift: 4:30am – 2:30pm, with flexibility to meet Production needs Wage: Starting at $26.60/hour, with higher rates considered based on experience. Department: Production Reports to: Supervisor, Production Posting Date: August 31, 2026 About Mariposa Mariposa Dairy is an award-winning cheese manufacturer based in Lindsay, Ontario. As a growing Canadian manufacturer, we are committed to quality, safety, and continuous improvement. Guided by our values of Integrity, Growth, and Resilience, we strive to build a workplace where employees can develop, contribute, and succeed. What we offer: Medical and dental benefits Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Group RRSP matching after one year of service A collaborative, team-oriented workplace culture Free employee cheese tastings and take-home product perks The Opportunity: As a Lead Hand, you will help keep one of our production lines running safely, efficiently, and to quality standards. You will provide day-to-day direction to production associates and technical operators, coordinate line activities, and work closely with the Production Supervisor and support departments to solve issues and keep production moving. This is an opportunity for a dependable, hands-on team member who enjoys guiding others and improving how work gets done. What you will do: Embody and promote Mariposa Dairy’s core values (Integrity, Growth, and Resilience) Lead and Support the Team Provide clear day-to-day direction to production associates and technical operators on the line. Train new and existing employees on equipment operation, work procedures, food safety, and safe work practices. Coach team members, share constructive feedback, support cross-training, and encourage employee input. Model Mariposa Dairy’s values of Integrity, Growth, and Resilience. Keep Production on Track Coordinate line activities to meet production targets for volume, quality, and efficiency. Follow production schedules and promptly communicate delays, staffing concerns, or changes to the Production Supervisor. Support line setup, changeovers, start-ups, and shut-downs. Monitor equipment performance and product flow, address minor issues within your scope, and escalate concerns when needed. Protect Food Safety and Product Quality Ensure the team follows HACCP, GMP, CFIA, sanitation, hygiene, and other applicable food safety requirements. Monitor product quality and confirm specifications are consistently met. Identify and report non-conformances and support corrective actions. Maintain a Safe Workplace Promote compliance with the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act, company policies, and safe work procedures. Complete regular safety checks and hazard observations on the production floor. Confirm employees use required personal protective equipment and support incident investigations and corrective actions. Communicate and Document Maintain clear communication with supervisors, Maintenance, Quality Assurance, and other departments. Record production results, downtime, quality issues, and staffing concerns accurately. Participate in shift handovers and production meetings. Improve How We Work Identify practical ways to improve productivity, reduce waste, and strengthen product quality. Support Lean manufacturing, 5S, and other continuous improvement initiatives. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support operational requirements. What you bring: Are comfortable working with numbers and basic math. Can follow SOPs and GMPs and complete production forms accurately. Communicate clearly through speaking, writing, and active listening. Can organize multiple priorities and adapt when production needs change. Have a practical understanding of continuous improvement approaches such as Kaizen, 5S, or Lean manufacturing. Can maintain reliable attendance and work flexible hours, including weekends and statutory holidays, when required to support production. Can safely perform the physical requirements of the role, including standing for long periods; working in varying temperatures and humidity; lifting up to 25 kg; and completing pushing, pulling, and repetitive movements. How to apply: We thank all applicants for their interest in Mariposa Dairy. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We kindly ask you do not contact us by phone. Any offer of employment will be conditional upon successful reference checks and employment verification. Mariposa Dairy is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates participating in all aspects of the selection process. This employer only accepts applications from: Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada. Candidates with a valid Canadian work permit.

What you’ll do

The Lead Hand oversees production line operations to ensure safety, efficiency, and adherence to quality standards. They provide daily direction to staff, coordinate production schedules, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Requirements

Candidates must be comfortable with basic math, follow SOPs and GMPs, and possess strong communication and organizational skills. A practical understanding of Lean manufacturing or similar continuous improvement methodologies is required.

Benefits

• Medical benefits • Dental benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Group RRSP matching • Free employee cheese tastings • Take-home product perks

Listed skills

• Continuous Improvement · Preferred
• Problem solving · Preferred
• Kaizen · Preferred
• Production Management · Preferred
• Leadership · Preferred
• Safety Compliance · Preferred
• Food safety · Preferred
• Quality Control · Preferred
• Documentation · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred
• Lean Manufacturing · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Leadership
• Production management
• Food safety
• HACCP
• GMP
• Lean manufacturing
• 5S
• Kaizen
• Equipment operation
• Quality control
• Team coaching
• Communication
• Problem solving
• Safety compliance
• Documentation
• Continuous improvement
• Equipment Operation
• Constructive Feedback
• Kaizen Methodology
• Resilience
• Active Listening
• Good Manufacturing Practices
• Continuous Improvement Process
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Occupational Safety And Health
• Food Safety And Sanitation
• General Mathematics
• Standard Operating Procedure
• Hazard Analysis And Critical Control Points (HACCP)
• Lean Manufacturing
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Product Flow Diagram
• Production Line
• Sanitation
• Quality Assurance
• Quality Management
• Team Oriented
• Product Quality (QA/QC)
• Investigation

Job areas

• Manufacturing
• Food & Beverage
• Management & Leadership
• Trades
• Lead Hand
• Production Plant Foreman
• Manufacturing Supervisors
• First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers