About Protek Cargo
Protek Cargo is a family-owned business and one of the leaders in the passive insulation industry. We specialize in manufacturing and processing temperature-sensitive packaging solutions used to protect products during shipping and distribution.
Our Napa facility produces and processes products such as box liners, pallet covers, bubble materials, mailers, and other insulated packaging products for customers in the food, pharmaceutical, logistics, and temperature-controlled shipping industries.
We are looking for a strong, hands-on Production Lead for our second shift / swing shift at our Napa facility. This is a working lead position, not a clipboard-only leadership role. We need someone who can lead from the floor, operate equipment, troubleshoot production issues, support the team, and make sure production goals are being met.
Position Summary
The Production Lead will be responsible for leading the second shift production team while also working hands-on with machines, materials, and production equipment. This person must be mechanically inclined, production-minded, organized, reliable, and able to lead by example.
This position requires someone with proven leadership experience in a production, manufacturing, warehouse, or similar operational environment. The right candidate must be able to manage people, communicate clearly, hold employees accountable, maintain production flow, and support daily operations while staying actively involved on the floor.
The ideal candidate has strong mechanical knowledge, production experience, ERP system experience, and the ability to navigate NetSuite, Microsoft Office, Google Sheets, Google Drive, and other Google Workspace systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the second shift / swing shift production team during daily operations.
- Work hands-on with production equipment and assist operators as needed.
- Operate and support machines used for bubble production, box liners, pallet covers, mailers, cutting, sealing, and related production processes.
- Monitor production output to make sure daily goals, customer requirements, and production schedules are being met.
- Help troubleshoot mechanical, machine, material, and production-related issues on the floor.
- Assist with machine startups, shutdowns, size changes, product transitions, and production changeovers.
- Make sure operators are following machine checklists, production procedures, safety rules, quality standards, and company expectations.
- Verify that products are being produced to the correct specifications, sizes, counts, and quality requirements.
- Maintain accurate production records, counts, work orders, shift reports, and machine documentation.
- Use NetSuite and other ERP systems to review work orders, production requirements, inventory, sales orders, and order information.
- Use Microsoft Office, Google Sheets, Google Drive, and other Google Workspace systems to track production, update reports, and access shared documents.
- Communicate production status, equipment issues, material shortages, staffing concerns, safety concerns, and quality issues to management.
- Train, coach, and support production operators on proper machine operation, safety, quality, documentation, and production expectations.
- Hold team members accountable for productivity, attendance, quality, housekeeping, and following instructions.
- Make sure production areas are clean, organized, safe, and ready for the next shift.
- Support palletizing, staging, labeling, material handling, inventory movement, and warehouse-related tasks when needed.
- Help identify opportunities to improve production flow, reduce waste, increase efficiency, and improve team performance.
- Make sure daily shift reports are completed accurately and with enough detail for management and the next shift.
- Lead by example with urgency, professionalism, accountability, and a strong work ethic.
Required Experience and Qualifications
- Minimum of 2 years of previous lead, supervisor, assistant supervisor, shift lead, team lead, or similar supervisory experience is required.
- Previous leadership experience in a manufacturing, production, warehouse production, machine operation, or similar environment is required.
- Strong mechanical knowledge and ability to understand production equipment.
- Ability to troubleshoot basic machine issues and identify when maintenance or management support is needed.
- Comfortable working hands-on with machines, tools, materials, and production equipment.
- Experience with ERP systems is required; NetSuite experience is strongly preferred.
- Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Google Sheets, Google Drive, and general Google Workspace systems.
- Ability to read and follow work orders, production schedules, checklists, written instructions, and customer requirements.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Ability to lead a team while also working directly on the production floor.
- Ability to keep accurate production counts, update reports, and communicate shift performance clearly.
- Must be organized, dependable, and able to manage multiple priorities during the shift.
- Must be able to work with urgency while maintaining safety and quality.
- Must be able to hold employees accountable in a professional and respectful manner.
- Must be willing to learn our products, machines, systems, company procedures, and customer expectations.
Professional References Required
Professional references are required for this position. Applicants must be able to provide references from previous employers, supervisors, managers, or professional contacts who can verify work history, leadership experience, reliability, and job performance.
Applicants who cannot provide professional references will not be considered for this position.
Physical Requirements
- Must be able to stand, walk, bend, reach, and move throughout the production floor for the duration of the shift.
- Must be able to lift, move, and handle production materials as needed.
- Must be comfortable working around production machinery, warehouse equipment, rolls of material, pallets, and finished goods.
- Must be able to work in a fast-paced production environment.
- Must be able to assist with hands-on production, machine operation, material handling, staging, and floor support when needed.
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for a strong floor leader who understands that production leadership means being involved, present, and hands-on. The right person will not just give instructions — they will help operate the equipment, solve problems, train employees, keep production moving, and make sure the shift is successful.
This position is best suited for someone who has real production experience, strong mechanical understanding, proven leadership experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to lead a team while staying actively involved in the work.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is someone who:
- Takes ownership of the shift.
- Leads by example.
- Has at least 2 years of proven lead or supervisory experience.
- Has strong mechanical and production knowledge.
- Can operate, support, and troubleshoot production equipment.
- Can train, coach, and hold operators accountable.
- Can use ERP systems, NetSuite, spreadsheets, and shared documents.
- Can navigate Microsoft Office, Google Sheets, Google Drive, and Google Workspace systems.
- Can communicate clearly with management, team members, and other departments.
- Is not afraid to get their hands dirty.
- Can keep the team productive, organized, safe, and accountable.
- Understands the importance of quality, production efficiency, communication, and follow-through.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume through Indeed or send your resume directly to:
[email protected]
Professional references are required. Applicants who cannot provide professional references will not be considered.
Pay: $25.00 - $28.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Production Lead: 2 years (Required)
- Mechanical troubleshooting: 2 years (Required)
- ERP systems: 2 years (Required)
- Microsoft Excel: 2 years (Required)
- Machine operation: 4 years (Required)
Location:
- American Canyon, CA 94558 (Required)
Shift availability:
- Night Shift (Required)
- Overnight Shift (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- American Canyon, CA 94558 (Required)
Work Location: In person
