Job Description

Phillips Distilling Company is currently inviting candidates to apply for a full-time Line Lead Operator opportunity. The candidate selected for this role will enjoy a 4-day work week, competitive compensation, annual bonus potential, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package including generous paid time off and paid holidays! Join the Phillips’ team today and enjoy being in good spirits every day!

Since 1912, Phillips Distilling Company (PDC) has been producing high-quality spirits and popular brands. As one of America's oldest family-owned spirits companies, we pride ourselves on our independent spirit and our commitment to innovation, quality and community.

Classification: Non-Exempt
Department: 8680 Production
Reports To: Production Supervisor

Work Schedule:
Monday - Thursday, 3:30pm to 2:00am

Starting Pay Range:
$24.00 - $29.00/Hour
$2.00 per hour shift differential for 2nd shift

Where a candidate falls within the pay range will vary based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, geographic location, education, skills and experience.

Under the direction of the Production Supervisor, the Line Lead Operator is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of the production line to ensure safe and efficient operations aligned with the production schedule and company objectives. This role involves providing leadership, clear direction, effective communication, holding team members accountable, relaying issues to the Production Supervisor, offering feedback and training to team members, and ensuring smooth production workflows. The Line Lead Operator also performs hands-on line operations and troubleshooting to address and resolve issues promptly.

Essential Functions:

• Lead daily activities on the assigned production line by providing clear direction, holding team members accountable, and ensuring production goals are met.
• Effectively communicate workflow updates, production issues, and objectives to team members and supervisors.
• Provide constructive feedback and on-the-job training to line team members to build skills and improve performance.
• Monitor equipment, coordinate material changes, and troubleshoot issues to maintain efficient line operations.
• Identify and communicate production or equipment issues to the supervisor and Maintenance team, working collaboratively to resolve them.
• Ensure compliance with Good Documentation Practices (GDP) and proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Operate and troubleshoot line equipment to maintain efficiency and quality standards.
• Utilize Redzone to monitor line efficiencies, identify downtime, and address operational issues.
• Prepare the production line for operation, ensuring readiness 30 minutes before the scheduled start time.
• Conduct regular inspections by walking the line to ensure safe and efficient operation, stopping or slowing the line as needed.
• Oversee material changes to ensure accuracy in scheduling and proper usage.
• Assign and coordinate tasks for line washouts, ensuring safe and timely completion.
• Maintain a clean production area by adhering to 5S standards, stocking production supplies, and ensuring proper shutdown procedures at the end of each shift.
• Accurately document all raw material waste.
• Lead and manage production line changes.
• Complete Line Lead checklists, tracking bottle torque, speed, fill height, and other safety/quality metrics.
• Assist and back up other operators and team members as needed.
• Participate in and lead 5Why and Kaizen events to drive operational efficiency and improvements.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Additional Functions:

• Living and abiding by the Phillips Way and the company’s core values: Communication & Collaboration, Dignity & Respect, Accountability, Customer Service and Community.

Required Competencies:

• Must have the ability to work and participate in an environment that expects all employees to support wellness, safety, quality, and environmental responsibility.
• Proficiency in computer and technology applications required for job responsibilities; Oracle experience preferred.
• Effective verbal and written communication in English and proficiency in basic math.
• Strong ability to lead, communicate, and collaborate with team members while multitasking in a dynamic environment.
• Competence in operating and troubleshooting production line equipment, with deductive reasoning to resolve issues independently.
• Ability to anticipate issues, adjust to changing priorities, and persist under time constraints.
• Attention to detail combined with an understanding of whole-system processes.
• Ability to work across multiple production lines efficiently.
• Commitment to supporting lean manufacturing initiatives and process improvements.
• Strong understanding of production operations

Required Education & Experience:

• Must have the ability to maintain current knowledge, skills and/or certifications relevant to assigned job responsibilities.
• Previous experience operating manufacturing equipment
• 2 years of previous experience working in a leadership capacity in a manufacturing setting.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Education & Experience:

• Previous experience working in food production or packaging. High speed bottling experience is a plus.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
This role does not have direct reports but provides leadership, guidance, and oversight to production line teams to ensure operational efficiency and team accountability.

Work Location & Travel Required:
This position works on-site reporting to the Princeton location.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:
Work is performed in a manufacturing setting. Must be able to tolerate working in a noisy environment while utilizing proper PPE. This position requires regular standing on hard surfaces for extended periods and walking throughout the facility. Must have the ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The ability to sit and use a computer for and the dexterity to frequently type on a keyboard is also required.

Other Considerations:
The intent of this job description is not to state or imply that the duties listed are the only duties that will be performed. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties as requested by management. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Phillips Distilling Company is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workforce. We consider all qualified individuals for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status, among other factors.

Benefits Overview:
PDC offers a comprehensive benefits package to support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees and their families. Our benefits package includes:

• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision plans to meet individual/family needs.
• Financial Well-being: 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match, flexible spending accounts (FSAs), and health savings accounts (HSAs).
• Income Protection: Employer-paid life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage.
• Paid Time Off: Includes 9 paid holidays, annual PTO accrual, bereavement leave, and parental leave
• Additional Voluntary Benefits: Options for supplemental life insurance, critical illness, and accident insurance.
• Wellness Program: Incentives and resources to support physical and mental well-being.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential access to counseling, financial & legal planning, estate planning, wellness resources, and more to support employees and their families.
• Bonus Potential: Annual bonus opportunities based on individual and/or company performance.

This summary provides a general overview of available benefits. Specific details, including eligibility criteria and plan options, will be provided during the recruitment/onboarding process.