Lead Hand, Production

Join Our Team at Mariposa – Lead Hand, Production

Location: Lindsay, Ontario

Job Type: Full Time – Onsite

Shift: 4:30am – 2:30pm or 2:15pm - 11:15pm, with flexibility to meet Production needs

Wage: Starting at $26.60/hour, with higher rates considered based on experience.

Department: Production

Reports to: Supervisor, Production

Posting Date: August 31, 2026

About Mariposa

Mariposa Dairy is an award-winning cheese manufacturer based in Lindsay, Ontario. As a growing Canadian manufacturer, we are committed to quality, safety, and continuous improvement. Guided by our values of Integrity, Growth, and Resilience, we strive to build a workplace where employees can develop, contribute, and succeed.

What we offer:

• Medical and dental benefits
• Health Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Group RRSP matching after one year of service
• A collaborative, team-oriented workplace culture
• Free employee cheese tastings and take-home product perks

The Opportunity:

As a Lead Hand, you will help keep one of our production lines running safely, efficiently, and to quality standards. You will provide day-to-day direction to production associates and technical operators, coordinate line activities, and work closely with the Production Supervisor and support departments to solve issues and keep production moving. This is an opportunity for a dependable, hands-on team member who enjoys guiding others and improving how work gets done.

What you will do:

• Embody and promote Mariposa Dairy’s core values (Integrity, Growth, and Resilience)

Lead and Support the Team

• Provide clear day-to-day direction to production associates and technical operators on the line.

• Train new and existing employees on equipment operation, work procedures, food safety, and safe work practices.

• Coach team members, share constructive feedback, support cross-training, and encourage employee input.

• Model Mariposa Dairy’s values of Integrity, Growth, and Resilience.

Keep Production on Track

• Coordinate line activities to meet production targets for volume, quality, and efficiency.

• Follow production schedules and promptly communicate delays, staffing concerns, or changes to the Production Supervisor.

• Support line setup, changeovers, start-ups, and shut-downs.

• Monitor equipment performance and product flow, address minor issues within your scope, and escalate concerns when needed.

Protect Food Safety and Product Quality

• Ensure the team follows HACCP, GMP, CFIA, sanitation, hygiene, and other applicable food safety requirements.

• Monitor product quality and confirm specifications are consistently met.

• Identify and report non-conformances and support corrective actions.

Maintain a Safe Workplace

• Promote compliance with the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act, company policies, and safe work procedures.

• Complete regular safety checks and hazard observations on the production floor.

• Confirm employees use required personal protective equipment and support incident investigations and corrective actions.

Communicate and Document

• Maintain clear communication with supervisors, Maintenance, Quality Assurance, and other departments.
• Record production results, downtime, quality issues, and staffing concerns accurately.
• Participate in shift handovers and production meetings.

Improve How We Work

• Identify practical ways to improve productivity, reduce waste, and strengthen product quality.
• Support Lean manufacturing, 5S, and other continuous improvement initiatives.

Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support operational requirements.

What you bring:

• Are comfortable working with numbers and basic math.

• Can follow SOPs and GMPs and complete production forms accurately.

• Communicate clearly through speaking, writing, and active listening.

• Can organize multiple priorities and adapt when production needs change.

• Have a practical understanding of continuous improvement approaches such as Kaizen, 5S, or Lean manufacturing.

• Can maintain reliable attendance and work flexible hours, including weekends and statutory holidays, when required to support production.

• Can safely perform the physical requirements of the role, including standing for long periods; working in varying temperatures and humidity; lifting up to 25 kg; and completing pushing, pulling, and repetitive movements.

How to apply:

We thank all applicants for their interest in Mariposa Dairy. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We kindly ask you do not contact us by phone.

Any offer of employment will be conditional upon successful reference checks and employment verification.

Mariposa Dairy is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates participating in all aspects of the selection process.

This employer only accepts applications from:

• Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
• Candidates with a valid Canadian work permit.