Upstream Operations Lead — Deboxing & Pre‑Processing

Upstream Operations Lead — Deboxing & Pre‑Processing

Picture your shift kicking off with a quick huddle on the production floor. You review the day’s run list, align with warehouse on inbound ingredients, and walk the line for pre‑op checks. Pallets arrive; you guide the team through safe, efficient deboxing, verify labels, and stage materials so mixing can start on time. Mid‑shift, you audit GMP compliance, spot‑check batch records, and jump in to troubleshoot a scale variance before escalating to the Processing Supervisor. By day’s end, you’ve closed out waste logs, coordinated a changeover clean, and handed off clear notes to QA and maintenance. That’s a typical day in this role.

About Dr. Praeger’s

Founded in 1994 by two heart surgeons, Dr. Praeger’s set out to make sensible, delicious frozen foods with simple ingredients—easy to prepare and enjoyable for everyone. Decades later, we’re still guided by that mission and our family‑business roots.

What you’ll lead

• Daily coordination of deboxing to enable on‑time production starts.
• Accurate deboxing, labeling, staging, and timely transfer of raw materials to mixing.
• Pre‑op and mid‑shift verifications for food safety, GMP, and sanitation compliance.
• Task assignment, pacing, and oversight to meet throughput targets.
• Onboarding, coaching, and reinforcement of SOPs, GMPs, and safety procedures.
• Regular communication with warehouse, QA, mixing, maintenance, and inventory to resolve constraints.
• First‑level troubleshooting; escalate equipment or inventory issues to the Processing Supervisor as needed.
• Quality monitoring, documentation review (batch records, substitutions, waste logs), and corrective actions with QA/Supervisor.
• Organized work areas and proper equipment cleaning during changeovers or contamination events.
• Culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and cross‑functional teamwork.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills and experience

• Solid grasp of food safety, GMPs, and allergen control.
• 1–2 years in food manufacturing or warehousing; leadership exposure preferred.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs., stand for extended periods, and work in cold environments.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish); must be able to read and write in English and complete paperwork.
• High school diploma or equivalent; technical/vocational training a plus.
• Basic math, unit conversions, and scale operation.
• Detail orientation, time management, and logical troubleshooting.
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory capabilities.
• Comfort in a fast‑paced, dynamic setting; flexibility to work different shifts and extra hours with advance notice.
• Experience supporting process improvement initiatives.

Preferred knowledge

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• LEAN / 5S familiarity.
• Background in food processing/manufacturing; mechanical aptitude.
• Hands‑on with grinder and mixer machines, including GEA grinders.
• Use of scales and Zebra scanners.

Physical requirements

This role involves standing, walking, and periods of sitting; bending; pushing and pulling; frequent hand use to finger, handle, or feel tools and controls; reaching with hands and arms; and communicating by talking or hearing. You may occasionally lift or move up to 60 pounds. Visual demands include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, the ability to adjust focus, and repetitive motions.

Legal notices

**Disclaimer

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**Employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodation will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

***Dr. Praeger's Sensible Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, or handicap, sex, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment during employment.