Production Lead - 
Dry Production Facility

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Westway Feed Products is North America’s largest manufacturer of liquid supplements for livestock. Additionally, we produce tub supplements, feed mill products, dried molasses and industrial products. The core concept of Westway’s business is to utilize co-products from other industries and convert them into safe, high-quality, cost effective, livestock feed supplements. While Westway’s primary ingredient for many of our products is molasses, we also incorporate other co-products such as glycerin, whey, corn solubles, corn steep and soy solubles. The concept of utilizing these co-products is the foundation of our sustainability platform. Today, Westway operates 25 production facilities across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Our geographic reach allows for products to be developed according to environmental and production system variations across the country.

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Westway has achieved Great Place to Work certification for 2023-2024.

 

We are part of ED&F Man Commodities, a world leading trader of agricultural products including coffee, sugar, molasses and animal feed.

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​Key Responsibilities

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Production Operations: 

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• Coordinate daily drying and bagging activities to meet production schedules and customer demand.
• Oversee the setup, operation, startup and shutdown of dry process including dryer, cooler, mill, bag line, warehouse and robot.
• Verify correct raw material and packaging material usage, lot codes, stacking patterns and production work orders.
• Ensure accurate bag labeling, bagging efficiency, and all daily documentation for traceability.

• Support material inventory management by monitoring bin and empty ware inventory levels and coordinating with logistics and procurement.
• Troubleshoot mechanical or process issues and escalate equipment malfunctions to maintenance.

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Team Leadership: 

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​• Lead and direct production team members to maintain safe efficient workflow and adherence to procedures.
• Provide hands-on training to new operators in safe handling of ingredients, equipment, and process controls.
• Monitor attendance, performance, housekeeping and adherence to safety and quality expectations.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, and communication between operators and management.

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Safety, Quality, and Compliance

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• Ensure compliance with all plant safety policies, including proper use of PPE and adherence to confined space, lockout/tagout, and chemical handling protocols.
• Enforce feed safety standards and compliance with FDA/OSHA and state feed regulations.
• Maintain cleanliness and orderliness of drying, packaging, warehouse areas, and transfer lines following 5S and housekeeping expectations.
• Record and verify drying, packaging and shipping documentation accuracy.

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Continuous Improvement

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• Identify opportunities for process improvements in drying, packaging, material handling, and bin management.
• Participate in lean manufacturing, waste reduction, and preventive maintenance initiatives.
• Collaborate with maintenance and quality teams to reduce downtime, product loss, and rework.

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Qualifications:

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Education & Experience

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• High school diploma or GED required; vocational or technical training preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in dry feed manufacturing, feed mill, or similar process industry.
• Prior experience in a supervisory, lead or senior operator role strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with milling, rotary dryer, bagging, warehouse and robot operations.

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Skills & Abilities

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• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret production schedules, manage projects and lead safety initiatives.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and understanding of screw and belt conveyors, elevators, rotary dryer, fluid bed cooler, packaging equipment, milling and robots.  

• Competency with plant data entry systems and production tracking software (ERP, batch logs, etc.).
• Commitment to quality, regulatory compliance, and safe work practices.

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Work Environment & Physical Requirements

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• Manufacturing plant environment with exposure to dry feed ingredients, moisture, and variable temperatures.
• Requires standing, walking, climbing stairs, and lifting up to 50 pounds regularly.
• Must be able to work around bins, forklifts, and mechanical equipment safely.
• Occasional extended hours or weekend work based on production schedules.

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Typical Schedule

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Full-time hourly; may include rotating shifts (e.g., 1st, 2nd or 3rd shift) based on plant operations. Overtime may be required during seasonal demand peaks.

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Performance Indicators (KPIs)

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• Inventory and formula mix ratio accuracy
• On-time production completion rate
• Downtime reduction / equipment utilization
• Feed safety and quality audit results
• Employee safety metrics (e.g., incident-free hours)

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As an ever-friendly reminder: Researchers have found that men apply to roles when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Women and other underrepresented groups tend to apply only when they check every box. If you are interested, but don't feel like you meet every single point on the job description, please still apply!

 

Our Offer

 

We provide a fast-paced, stimulating and truly global environment, which will stretch your abilities and channel your talents. We also offer competitive salary and benefits combined with outstanding career development opportunities in one of the global leaders in soft commodity trading.

 

Our Values

 

Respect, Integrity, Meritocracy, Client Focus, Entrepreneurship

Our values define who we are. They are the fundamental beliefs that determine our actions and guide our behaviour. They influence the way we communicate and collaborate, and define the way we engage with our clients, partners, and communities.

 

Our Commitment

 

We share the commitment of our parent company, ED&F Man Commodities. We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive and diverse work environment where all employees are treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment and are focused on actively building and developing diverse teams. All qualified applicants will receive equal treatment without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, marital or civil partner status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment (identity, gender expression), genetic information or any characteristic protected by local law.

 

We are willing to make any reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process.

 

To apply you must have the right to work for the provided location.