Ice Cream Line Lead

Location: Covington, TN

Pay Range: $27.50 Per Hour – Paid Bi-Weekly

2nd shift 2pm-10pm

Bonus eligible - $2.00 shift night differential

If you want to work for a global, leading Ice Cream player with €7.9bn Turn Over in 2023, come join Unilever Ice Cream! Ice Cream business is operating in a highly attractive category, as we are part of the 1 trillion snacking and refreshment industry, growing consistently at high pace. We have strong brands equities: 5 of top 10 selling brands including Wall’s, Magnum, Ben &Jerry’s. We are investing to unlock the full growth potential of Ice Cream as a standalone entity, once we separate from Unilever, which is planned to happen by November 2025.

Ice Cream has distinct characteristics from Unilever’s other operating businesses and the growth potential of Ice Cream will be better delivered under a different ownership structure. As Ice Cream company we are committed to developing and nurturing talent as we build our diverse and inclusive culture. You will have ample options for career growth and exploration, allowing you for you to explore roles and opportunities across the new organisation. Your career development will be a priority for us, and we are dedicated to supporting your growth journey within the new company. We hope that you will want to build the new chapter of our Ice Cream history together with us.

JOB PURPOSE:

Find your purpose at Unilever Ice Cream. Lead innovations that drive our business to win and grow. Learn from brilliant leaders and diverse colleagues in a global environment, becoming your best self.

Are you searching for a wonderful manufacturing opportunity? Then this role is tailored for you.

The Line Lead Operator in the production department operates as part of the leadership team and works closely directing Line members to identify and execute daily work plan while creating an environment of accountability. Leads will work closely with the maintenance team leading operator Autonomous Maintenance (AM) and Preventive Maintenance (PM) completion. Leads will work closely with operational supervisors to set and drive performance expectations ensuring safety, quality, and productivity are met.

The Unilever Covington factory is a 24/7 high paced dynamic work environment. We achieve goals through collaborative cross functional teams in the safe and quality delivery of finished goods across the shift they are leading. Making brands such as Klondike, Popsicle, Breyers, and Good Humor ice cream.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for performing job functions promoting a safe work environment, including compliance

with all safety policies and practices, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

• Responsible for ensuring compliance with all Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).

• Responsible for ensuring compliance with good housekeeping and organization of the responsible surrounding areas.

• Ensure that all aspects of Quality within the area of responsibility are in accordance with local Quality Procedures to protect and promote the brand and product.

• Responsible for safety and quality reporting and assisting with investigations following UMS methodology.

• Monitors equipment for malfunctions and performs minor repairs when needed.

Communicates with management and maintenance department regarding

recurring problems and repair needs.

• Can identify, prioritize, and address problems using appropriate tools and techniques that eliminate

recurrence.

• Escalates line issues in accordance with escalation procedures.

• Responsible for distributing and closing out operator Preventive Maintenance

Tasks (PMs)

• Responsible for driving F-tag submission and follow-up.

• Plays an active role in Unilever Manufacturing System (UMS) including

participation in the creation and documentation of SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) and Work Instructions, the creation and maintenance of UMS standards, the writing of One Point Lessons (OPL’s), and participation in Kaizen events.

• Manage and provide training to close line skill gaps.

• Responsible for reviewing and ensuring accuracy of production and Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) documents.

• Responsible for updating the line DAILY PRODUCTION BOARD with safety incidents, waste, case counts, and other Key Performance Indicator (KPI) targets.

• Ownership and oversight of shift handover meetings, performs line checklist and sign-off.

• Perform other duties as required.

Overall Benefits & Perks (non-union) 

Medical, Dental, Vision effective immediately | 401K | Profit Sharing | Tuition/Fitness Reimbursement | Paid Leaves | Quarterly Bonus Payouts | Uniforms and PPE provided| Career Advancement Opportunities * 

Additional Perks for the “Covington ” location 

• Onsite Company store for product purchases 

• Company dinners and care packages periodically 
• Benefits are effective the first day of hire (if elected) 

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Experience in a food manufacturing environment preferred
• Strong communication skills across all levels of plant personnel
• Basic math and reading skills
• SAP experience preferred
• Ability to operate all equipment centers in assigned departments

Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to read and follow instructions, procedures, and documentation
• Basic math skills including fractions, percentages, and unit conversions
• Mechanical aptitude for inspecting and aligning components
• Problem-solving skills and ability to interpret technical drawings and manuals
• Manual dexterity and coordination for handling tools and equipment
• Physical ability to work in confined spaces, lift heavy objects, and stand/walk frequently
• Visual and auditory acuity to detect machinery issues and distinguish color-coded components

Work Environment:

Work is regularly performed near moving mechanical parts in a production setting. Work is frequently performed in high places and near conveyors and there is frequent exposure to hot, wet, and humid conditions. The incumbent may also experience frequent exposure to sharp metal objects, hot liquid food products, caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock as well as fumes, dust, mold, and mildew in the atmosphere. Protective equipment must be worn when exposed to the aforementioned conditions. Work is performed in close proximity of moving forklift tractors.

Noise levels may exceed 0 decibels and hearing protection must be worn.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, physical and background check.

*Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents

In addition, there will be exposure to allergens such as dairy, eggs, tree nuts, coconut, peanuts, wheat (gluten), soybean and cinnamon.There will also be exposure to chemicals and gasses such as ammonia.

Unilever embraces diversity and encourages applicants from all walks of life. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity, and any other legally protected characteristic. 

For the recruitment of this position, we would like to emphasize that local conditions apply to the position and for this vacancy in principle we will first consider candidates based in the US. If you are based outside of the US and you are interested to apply, please feel free to do so but we can only take your application on if a decision is made to also recruit outside of the US Market.  

ARE YOU EXCITED TO CRAFT THE ICE CREAM FUTURE?

To apply, you must do so online. Please do not forget to upload your CV, latest EoY and a motivation letter.  If you have been informed that you are at risk of redundancy, please make sure to tick this box during your application. Please also attach your letter of redundancy to the application.

Your application will be reviewed against our requirements, and we will be in touch shortly after the closing date to provide you with an update on the status of your application.

By applying for this vacancy, you are confirming that you have made your Line Manager aware of your application and that you are at a point in your career with Unilever where it is appropriate for you to apply for other positions.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. 

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Unilever is an organization committed to diversity and inclusion to drive our business results and create a better future every day for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. 

For more information about your Federal rights, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination isIllegal and Pay Transparency Non discrimination Provision.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at NA.Accommodations@unilever.com. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.

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