Ingredient Handling Lead, Deboxing & Processing

Ingredient Handling Lead, Deboxing & Processing

Why this role matters

Upstream flow sets the pace for everything downstream. As the Ingredient Handling Lead, you orchestrate deboxing and staging so production starts on time, every time—safely and to spec.

Who we are

Since 1994, Dr. Praeger’s has crafted sensible, tasty frozen foods from simple ingredients—born from a mission started by two heart surgeons. Our heritage still fuels our everyday decisions.

What you’ll do

• Lead daily deboxing operations aligned to the production schedule.
• Ensure raw materials are deboxed, labeled, staged, and transferred to mixing accurately and on time.
• Run pre‑op and mid‑shift inspections for food safety, GMPs, and sanitation.
• Assign work, balance workloads, and keep throughput on track.
• Train and onboard new team members; reinforce SOPs, GMPs, and safety rules.
• Collaborate with warehouse, QA, mixing, maintenance, and inventory to eliminate bottlenecks.
• Triage issues and escalate equipment/inventory concerns to the Processing Supervisor.
• Verify product quality and paperwork: batch records, substitutions, waste logs.
• Maintain 5S standards; clean equipment during changeovers or when contamination occurs.
• Model accountability and continuous improvement across departments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Must‑have qualifications

• Knowledge of food safety practices, GMPs, and allergen handling.
• 1–2 years in food manufacturing or a warehouse environment; team lead experience preferred.
• Lift up to 50 lbs.; comfortable standing long hours and working in cold conditions.
• Bilingual English/Spanish; able to read and write in English and complete documentation.
• High school diploma or GED; technical or vocational training preferred.
• Basic math and unit conversions; capable of operating scales.
• Strong attention to detail and time management.
• Logical problem‑solving for equipment and process issues.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and general computer use.
• Leadership and supervisory skills in a fast‑paced setting.
• Willingness to work varied shifts and extra hours with advance notice.
• Ability to lead process improvement initiatives.

Nice‑to‑have knowledge

• Clear, professional communication and strong interpersonal skills.
• LEAN / 5S principles.
• Experience in food processing/manufacturing; mechanical aptitude.
• Understanding of grinder and mixer machines (e.g., GEA grinders).
• Familiarity with scales and Zebra scanners.

Physical demands

• Stand, walk, and sit as needed; bend, push, pull.
• Use hands to finger, handle, or feel tools and controls; reach with hands and arms.
• Communicate by talking and hearing.
• Occasionally lift or move up to 60 pounds.
• Vision: close, distance, color, peripheral; depth perception; ability to adjust focus; repetitive motions.

Legal notices

**Disclaimer

:

**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.