Production Lead & Mixer - 2nd Shift

Piedmont Candy Company is a historic confectionery manufacturer with over 130 years of legacy, best known for producing the iconic Red Bird peppermint puffs. The company's commitment to quality and tradition is paired with a forward-thinking mindset, as it integrates modern automation and innovation into its production processes. This blend of heritage and cutting-edge technology creates a clean, efficient, and technologically advanced production environment. Piedmont Candy Company is proud to provide its employees with a dynamic workplace where tradition meets modern manufacturing techniques, fostering both growth and quality in the candy-making industry.

Currently, Piedmont Candy is embarking on an exciting phase of expansion by launching a brand-new 2nd shift in its production facility. To support this initiative, the company is seeking a Kitchen Lead who will be integral in building and leading this new team from the ground up. This role offers the unique opportunity to shape the culture of the shift from day one, contributing to a positive and safety-first work environment. The Kitchen Lead will work within a modernized kitchen setting, characterized by automated mixing processes which reduce manual labor and increase operational efficiency.

The position of Kitchen Lead and Mixer on the 2nd shift involves overseeing production operations to ensure targets are met with safety, efficiency, and high quality. Leadership responsibilities include coaching and developing a team of kitchen operators and candy technicians, setting clear performance expectations, and fostering accountability and teamwork. The Kitchen Lead also manages critical production functions such as batching, mixing, and ingredient flow to support the candy production lines effectively. The role demands close monitoring of automated systems and equipment performance, problem-solving production challenges, and collaborating with maintenance teams when necessary.

In addition to leadership and operational duties, the role emphasizes continuous improvement. The Kitchen Lead applies food science knowledge, particularly related to sugar and cooking processes, ensuring product consistency and quality. The individual in this position enforces food safety and quality standards including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and personal protective equipment (PPE) adherence, and supports audit readiness through accurate documentation.

Candidates with backgrounds in food manufacturing, chemical or batch processing, and industrial manufacturing with automated systems are highly valued. While prior candy-making experience is not required, a strong leadership presence paired with a mechanical and problem-solving mindset is essential. The company values employees who demonstrate grit, integrity, flexibility, and speed, and offers a stable 4-day workweek schedule with competitive pay, a supportive culture, and growth opportunities within a modernizing company. Piedmont Candy Company is also an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion.