Shift Lead

About The Role

The Shift Lead is responsible for leading all aspects of production operations during their assigned shift, ensuring the safe, efficient, and cost-effective operation of manufacturing lines within a fast-paced Lean Manufacturing environment. This role is accountable for delivering operational excellence through the consistent application of BCOS (Barry Callebaut Operating System) principles, driving a culture of continuous improvement, waste reduction, problem solving, and performance management.

The Shift Lead champions a Safety-First and Quality-First mindset, ensuring full compliance with food safety, employee safety, quality, and regulatory requirements, including HACCP, GMP, Occupational Health & Safety, and all company policies and standards. Through visible leadership, coaching, and employee development, the Shift Lead builds engaged teams focused on achieving production, quality, safety, delivery, cost, and people objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Safety, Food Safety & Compliance

• Champion and sustain a Safety-First culture by ensuring all employees follow safe work practices and procedures.
• Promote a strong food safety culture and ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP, allergen control, sanitation, and quality requirements.
• Conduct routine safety observations, workplace inspections, and corrective action follow-up.
• Lead incident, near-miss, and workplace injury investigations, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
• Support WSIB claims management and return-to-work programs.
• Partner with the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) to promote health and safety initiatives and continuous improvement.

BCOS & Continuous Improvement

• Drive BCOS (Barry Callebaut Operations System) standards and best practices on shift.
• Coach employees on problem-solving methodologies, root cause analysis, standard work, and continuous improvement practices.
• Identify, lead, and support continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing waste, improving productivity, increasing OEE, and optimizing processes.
• Foster employee engagement and ownership through active participation in improvement activities.

Production & Operational Leadership

• Lead daily production activities to ensure achievement of safety, quality, service, and productivity targets.
• Communicate production schedules, priorities, and customer requirements to production teams.
• Establish clear expectations, monitor performance, and ensure accountability for results.
• Monitor line performance throughout the shift and respond effectively to operational challenges.
• Coordinate production flow, staffing, equipment availability, and material requirements to maximize efficiency.
• Arrange rework activities for unfinished, non-conforming, or damaged products as required.
• Ensure accurate completion of production documentation, shift reports, and operational records.
• Oversee overall plant operations, security, shipments, paperwork, and facility-related responsibilities during off-shifts.

Maintenance & Asset Reliability

• Partner with maintenance teams to minimize downtime and improve equipment reliability.
• Follow up on corrective maintenance activities and production-related repairs.
• Support autonomous maintenance practices and operator ownership of equipment.
• Perform minor maintenance troubleshooting and operational support as required.

Leadership & People Management

• Provide visible, hands-on leadership and direction to the Operations Team.
• Build a high-performance team through coaching, mentoring, development, and employee engagement.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing feedback to agency, probationary, and permanent employees.
• Manage attendance, vacation scheduling, staffing requirements, and employee relations matters.
• Address behavioral and performance issues through coaching, counseling, and progressive discipline when necessary.
• Identify training needs and coordinate development plans to close skill gaps.
• Develop and implement training modules, SOPs, work instructions, and On-the-Job Training (OJT) programs.
• Support succession planning and talent development initiatives.

Inventory, Systems & Administration

• Complete SAP transactions and inventory-related activities to maintain inventory accuracy.
• Complete attendance records, payroll information, production reporting, and other administrative requirements accurately and on time.
• Maintain accurate documentation for audits, compliance, and operational reporting.

About You

Education & Experience

• College Diploma or Degree in Food Science, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience within a food manufacturing or industrial production environment.
• Minimum 5 years of supervisory experience leading frontline manufacturing teams.
• Demonstrated experience in Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and operational excellence systems.
• Experience utilizing KPIs and performance metrics to drive business results.
• SAP experience considered an asset.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of food safety systems including GMP, HACCP, sanitation, and quality standards.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing processes, equipment reliability, preventive maintenance, and production planning.
• Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives, root cause analysis, and problem-solving activities.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing tools, visual management, and performance management systems preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, coaching, conflict resolution, and team-building skills.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and decision-making abilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams.

Physical & Schedule Requirements

• Must be available to work a 12-hour shift schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays as required.
• Ability to move freely throughout the entire manufacturing facility.
• Ability to work in environments with varying temperatures, including exposure to heat.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs on an occasional basis.
• Lift Truck certification required or ability to obtain certification.
• First Aid/CPR certification considered an asset.
• WSIB Part 1 & 2 certification considered an asset.

Leadership Competencies

• Safety Leadership
• BCOS Mindset & Continuous Improvement
• Accountability & Results Orientation
• Coaching & Team Development
• Operational Excellence
• Decision Making & Problem Solving
• Collaboration & Cross-Functional Partnership
• Change Leadership & Employee Engagement

Barry Callebaut can offer you a challenging and dynamic international environment that includes a broad range of opportunities for personal growth and development. Apply for one of our interesting positions and start a great career in the wonderful world of CHOCOLATE. Barry Callebaut is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain talented employees. Should you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at the Brantford site.

At Barry Callebaut, we are committed to Diversity & Inclusion. United by our strong values, we thrive on the diversity of who we are, where we come from, what we’ve experienced and how we think. We are committed to nurturing an inclusive environment where people can truly be themselves, grow to their full potential and feel they belong. #oneBC - Diverse People, Sustainable Growth.