Job Location: Hershey, PAHow will you fit in the big picture?The Production Line Lead plays a key role in driving operational excellence at our West Hershey plant. This role is responsible for leading hourly production personnel while ensuring compliance with company policies, safety standards, and regulatory requirements. You will be empowered to independently identify opportunities, eliminate root causes of manufacturing challenges, and drive improvements that impact the business today and into the future-all while contributing to a culture that makes Hershey the Sweetest Place on Earth.
What will you do?- Lead and manage hourly production personnel to safely meet operational and business needs
- Ensure adherence to plant policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements
- Independently execute assignments and projects, escalating only the most complex issues
- Propose, plan, and implement solutions to address manufacturing challenges and drive continuous improvement
- Lead high-impact initiatives that influence safety, quality, cost, and productivity
- Oversee financial planning considerations within the production area
- Collaborate across departments to support maintenance and operational needs of the plant
- Interpret production performance reports to drive decision-making
- Support a flexible work schedule, including weekends and all shifts as required
Minimum Education & RequirementsEducation:- Bachelor's degree preferred
Experience:- Minimum of 3 years of experience in manufacturing or a high-speed, complex environment required
- Minimum of 1 year of supervisory experience preferred
- Experience with Microsoft Office Suite required
- Food manufacturing experience preferred
- SAP experience preferred
Skills & Capabilities:- Strong leadership and people management skills
- Change management expertise with a focus on safety, quality, and cost optimization
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Knowledge of production systems and manufacturing processes
- Problem-solving and decision-making capabilities
- Understanding of union contracts and labor relations
- Ability to work effectively across all levels of the organization
- Knowledge of product quality standards and regulatory requirements
- General understanding of cost accounting and engineering principles
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Job OverviewThis role leads a complex manufacturing area or multiple related teams, providing an intermediate step between adjacent career levels Manager. The role drives execution of short term operational plans, supports local implementation of tactical initiatives, and addresses issues that span several lines or sub areas. It acts as a key escalation point for complex problems that require cross team coordination but not yet full discipline level ownership. the leader focuses on stabilizing performance, advancing continuous improvement activities within the area, and building leadership capability in this role. This level enables plants to manage larger, more complex areas without over expanding the scope of senior levels.
Accountabilities1. Lead a Complex Area Across Multiple Teams Oversees several teams or lines within a connected manufacturing area, ensuring performance targets for safety, quality, cost, and delivery are met. Aligns priorities and resources across L30 and L40 leaders to support cohesive execution of daily and weekly plans. This leadership ensures that the entire area runs as an integrated unit rather than as isolated lines.
2. Execute Short Term Tactical Plans Within the Area Translates L50 tactical plans into actionable schedules, staffing plans, and line level activities across the assigned area. Reviews performance trends and adjusts plans to address constraints, such as equipment downtime or material delays. Effective execution of these plans maintains service levels and supports broader business objectives.
3. Resolve Cross Team Operational Issues and Escalations Serves as the primary escalation point for issues impacting multiple lines, shifts, or teams, such as upstream/downstream imbalances or shared equipment failures. Coordinates with maintenance, planning, and quality to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. This responsibility helps prevent localized problems from becoming broader area level disruptions.
4. Drive Area Level Safety, Quality and Compliance Practices Monitors area performance against safety, quality, and environmental standards, looking for patterns that require systemic changes rather than isolated fixes. Leads focused initiatives to address recurring incidents, audit findings, or non conformances within the area. Proactive oversight reduces risk and drives sustainable compliance improvements.
5. Develop Front Line and Mid Level Leaders in the Area Coaches L30 Supervisors, L35 Senior Supervisors, and L40 Team Leads on leadership behaviors, decision making, and problem solving. Provides feedback on their performance and supports development plans that prepare them for larger roles. Strong leadership development strengthens the succession pipeline and operational resilience.
Minimum Education & Requirements3+ years
The anticipated base salary range for this role is $84,560 to $105,700 per year. The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of job-related factors, including, but not limited to, experience, skill set, education, and training. In addition to a market-competitive base salary, our Total Rewards package includes performance-based incentives and a comprehensive, competitive benefits package designed to support overall physical, mental, and financial well-being (as applicable). Learn more about Hershey's benefits and all the resources Hershey provides to support our employees' physical, emotional, and financial well-being by visiting the Hershey Digital Employee Experience at www.askHRbenefits.hersheys.com
