Entry Level Production Lead Jobs
New grad production lead jobs open the door for recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where strong internship work or hands-on shop floor time can matter more than a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Food & Beverage, Chemicals & Materials, and Manufacturing, with employers like Avient, Hydro, and SunOpta hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 13+ Entry Level Production Lead jobs
Company Details
Darling Ingredients repurposes and recycles materials from the animal agriculture and food industries - transforming them into essential ingredients that do everything from feeding animals to fertilizing crops to fueling planes and nourishing people. We're the number one publicly traded company of our kind, operating a global family of brands and businesses that span more than 260 facilities in over 15 countries. Our unique scale allows us to make entire industries less wasteful and more sustainable, helping move the world toward a more circular economy.
Darling Ingredients offers full time employees a full suite of benefits including but not limited to the following: 401(k), Health, Dental and Vision Insurance, and Paid Time Off.
SECOND SHIFT
Job Summary
The Leadman is responsible for overseeing the entire plant operation that processes raw materials into high quality products; ensures that equipment and buildings are sanitary and in good repair with a direct report to the Production Supervisor.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
- Maintains efficient and timely flow of all raw materials received.
- Responsible for helping and directing subordinates as necessary.
- Possesses the ability to operate all plant production equipment at a high standard to ensure efficient production of premium quality finished products.
- Communicate effectively with foreman, plant manager, or maintenance manager any mechanical or technical issues with any area of the plant.
- Monitors performance of individuals to ensure that procedures are being held to highest standards.
- Responsible for the quality of all finished products and determines any reason for loss of quality.
- Responsible for being familiar with and observing all Company safety rules and regulations, recognizes safety as top Company priority and conducts regularly scheduled safety meetings.
- Must be available for extended hours and call in service.
- All other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- High School Diploma or GED.
- Minimum two (2) years prior experience in a production environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Detail oriented; highly organized.
- Ability to work well with internal staff and employees.
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
- Self-starter; self-motivated.
- Dependable; Reliable
- Organizational and basic supervisory skills.
- Good math and computer skills
The information contained in this job description is intended to describe the essential job functions required of those assigned to this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the job. Please note that management retains the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The ability to competently perform all the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, demonstrated commitment to effective customer service delivery, integrity, and the ability to work productively as a member of a team or work group are basic requirements of all positions at Darling Ingredients.
Darling Ingredients is an equal opportunity employer and gives consideration to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military service, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state and local law. Know Your Rights: If you would like more information, please click on the link and paste into your browser: https://www.eeoc.gov/poster
Working Conditions and Physical Demands
The physical demands and work environment factors described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the main duties of this job.
Working Environment
None
Occasionally = up to 20%
Frequently = 21% to 50%
Constantly = at least 51%
Exposed to unpleasant or disagreeable physical environments such as high noise level, strong odors, and/or exposure to heat and cold
Exposed to bio hazardous conditions
Exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals which mandate attention to safety considerations
Exposed to Electrical hazards; risk of electrical shock
Handles or works with potentially dangerous equipment
Travels to offsite locations
Other (please describe):
Physical Demands
None
Occasionally = up to 20%
Frequently = 21% to 50%
Constantly = at least 51%
Sit: Must be able to remain in a stationary position.
Walk: Must be able to move about inside/outside office or work location.
Use hands to finger, handle or feel: Operates a computer and other office machinery.
Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl: Must be able to position one's self to maintain computers in the lab, including under desks and in the server closet.
Climb or balance: Must be able to ascend/descend on a ladder.
Talk, hear, taste, smell: Must be able to use senses to; effectively communicate with co-workers and clients and detect hazardous conditions.
Weight and Force Demands
None
Occasionally = up to 20%
Frequently = 21% to 50%
Constantly = at least 51%
Up to 10 pounds
Up to 25 pounds
☐
Up to 50 pounds
Up to 100 pounds
More than 100 pounds
Vision Demands
Required
No special vision requirements
Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less)
Distance vision (Clear vision at 20 feet or more)
Color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)
Peripheral vision
Depth perception
Ability to adjust focus
Company Details
Darling Ingredients repurposes and recycles materials from the animal agriculture and food industries - transforming them into essential ingredients that do everything from feeding animals to fertilizing crops to fueling planes and nourishing people. We're the number one publicly traded company of our kind, operating a global family of brands and businesses that span more than 260 facilities in over 15 countries. Our unique scale allows us to make entire industries less wasteful and more sustainable, helping move the world toward a more circular economy.
Darling Ingredients offers full time employees a full suite of benefits including but not limited to the following: 401(k), Health, Dental and Vision Insurance, and Paid Time Off.
SECOND SHIFT
Job Summary
The Leadman is responsible for overseeing the entire plant operation that processes raw materials into high quality products; ensures that equipment and buildings are sanitary and in good repair with a direct report to the Production Supervisor.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
- Maintains efficient and timely flow of all raw materials received.
- Responsible for helping and directing subordinates as necessary.
- Possesses the ability to operate all plant production equipment at a high standard to ensure efficient production of premium quality finished products.
- Communicate effectively with foreman, plant manager, or maintenance manager any mechanical or technical issues with any area of the plant.
- Monitors performance of individuals to ensure that procedures are being held to highest standards.
- Responsible for the quality of all finished products and determines any reason for loss of quality.
- Responsible for being familiar with and observing all Company safety rules and regulations, recognizes safety as top Company priority and conducts regularly scheduled safety meetings.
- Must be available for extended hours and call in service.
- All other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- High School Diploma or GED.
- Minimum two (2) years prior experience in a production environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Detail oriented; highly organized.
- Ability to work well with internal staff and employees.
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
- Self-starter; self-motivated.
- Dependable; Reliable
- Organizational and basic supervisory skills.
- Good math and computer skills
The information contained in this job description is intended to describe the essential job functions required of those assigned to this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the job. Please note that management retains the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The ability to competently perform all the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, demonstrated commitment to effective customer service delivery, integrity, and the ability to work productively as a member of a team or work group are basic requirements of all positions at Darling Ingredients.
Darling Ingredients is an equal opportunity employer and gives consideration to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military service, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state and local law. Know Your Rights: If you would like more information, please click on the link and paste into your browser: https://www.eeoc.gov/poster
Working Conditions and Physical Demands
The physical demands and work environment factors described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the main duties of this job.
Working Environment
None
Occasionally = up to 20%
Frequently = 21% to 50%
Constantly = at least 51%
Exposed to unpleasant or disagreeable physical environments such as high noise level, strong odors, and/or exposure to heat and cold
Exposed to bio hazardous conditions
Exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals which mandate attention to safety considerations
Exposed to Electrical hazards; risk of electrical shock
Handles or works with potentially dangerous equipment
Travels to offsite locations
Other (please describe):
Physical Demands
None
Occasionally = up to 20%
Frequently = 21% to 50%
Constantly = at least 51%
Sit: Must be able to remain in a stationary position.
Walk: Must be able to move about inside/outside office or work location.
Use hands to finger, handle or feel: Operates a computer and other office machinery.
Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl: Must be able to position one's self to maintain computers in the lab, including under desks and in the server closet.
Climb or balance: Must be able to ascend/descend on a ladder.
Talk, hear, taste, smell: Must be able to use senses to; effectively communicate with co-workers and clients and detect hazardous conditions.
Weight and Force Demands
None
Occasionally = up to 20%
Frequently = 21% to 50%
Constantly = at least 51%
Up to 10 pounds
Up to 25 pounds
☐
Up to 50 pounds
Up to 100 pounds
More than 100 pounds
Vision Demands
Required
No special vision requirements
Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less)
Distance vision (Clear vision at 20 feet or more)
Color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)
Peripheral vision
Depth perception
Ability to adjust focus
See All 13 Entry Level Production Lead Jobs
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- Food & Beverage
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- Manufacturing
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Entry Level Production Lead Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level production lead job?
Focus on any hands-on manufacturing, warehouse, or production experience you have, even from internships, coursework, or part-time work. Employers at this level look for candidates who understand production workflows, can communicate clearly with team members, and show basic familiarity with quality or safety standards. Highlighting a willingness to learn lean manufacturing principles or shift scheduling gives you a concrete edge over other new applicants.
Which companies hire entry level production leads?
Companies hiring entry level production leads right now include Avient, Hydro, and SunOpta, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. At this level, hiring tends to come from mid-size manufacturers, consumer goods companies, and food and beverage producers that regularly bring in junior candidates to grow into the role.
Are there remote entry level production lead jobs?
Yes, though most production lead roles are on-site by nature. About 0% of entry level production lead openings are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, typically covering coordination, scheduling, or quality reporting duties that can be done off the floor. On-site roles still dominate because the work involves direct oversight of physical production lines and team members.
Are these new grad production lead jobs?
Yes, many of these openings are new grad friendly and include junior and recent graduate roles. A posting is typically new grad accessible when it welcomes zero to two years of experience, accepts internship or co-op work in place of full-time history, or explicitly invites candidates with a production-related degree or technical certification. Look for language like 'will train' or 'entry level welcome' as a reliable signal.
Which industries hire the most entry level production leads?
Entry Level production lead roles concentrate in Food & Beverage, Chemicals & Materials, and Manufacturing, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. These sectors drive hiring at this level because they run high-volume production lines that need junior supervisors to manage shift output, coordinate workers, and maintain quality standards on a daily basis.