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Production Line Lead

Select Milk Producers · La Crosse, WI · Full time

Posted Aug 11, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you led a production crew through a hard shift.

What they are checking: Real leadership on the floor, including keeping people focused when things go wrong.

Tell me about a safety concern you raised or fixed as a lead.

What they are checking: Ownership of crew safety, which is a lead's first responsibility.

What would you do

One of your operators is consistently slow and making errors. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Coaching first, with clear expectations and follow-up, before escalating.

Quality puts your product on hold midway through a run. What do you do?

What they are checking: Respect for quality's call and a calm plan to contain product and find the cause.

How do you handle a disagreement with maintenance or quality during a shift?

What they are checking: Working across departments to solve the problem instead of protecting your own numbers.

About the work

How do you plan the start of a shift so the line runs to schedule?

What they are checking: Planning skill around staffing, materials and changeovers that keeps output on track.

How do you run a changeover between custom blends that have different allergens?

What they are checking: Control of cleaning, verification and label checks that protect each customer's product.

What production numbers do you track during a shift, and what do you do when they slip?

What they are checking: Using metrics like output, downtime and scrap to act during the shift, not just report afterward.

How do you train new people on your line?

What they are checking: Structured training that builds safe and correct habits from day one.

How do you hand off to the next shift?

What they are checking: Clear communication on issues, holds and open work that prevents repeated mistakes.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Select Milk Producers from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Select Milk Producers.

Shape What’s Next at Select Custom Solutions At Select Custom Solutions, we don’t just make ingredients—we create possibilities. From La Crosse, WI, our team brings innovation and expertise to contract manufacturing, branded dairy and non-dairy ingredients, custom blends, and ingredient distribution. With modern facilities and cutting-edge capabilities, we help some of the world’s most trusted brands deliver products that make a difference in people’s lives. With a strong focus on growth, innovation, and excellence, Select Custom Solutions offers opportunities to be part of meaningful work that impacts industries worldwide. Whether you’re working hands-on in manufacturing or supporting operations, your contributions help drive the future of food and nutrition. We’re proud to be partnered with Select Milk Producers, one of the nation’s most progressive dairy cooperatives. With over 110 family-owned dairies and multiple processing plants and joint ventures nationwide, our partnership connects us to a powerful network driving the future of food and nutrition. Join us—and help shape what’s next. What Select offers you : C omprehensive benefits package focusing on your physical, financial and emotional health to include the following perks as well as the standard benefit offerings (health, dental, vision, etc.) : • Paid Time Off • Paid Holidays Off • Uniform Program • Shoe Allowance • Onsite gym • Career Advancement Opportunities • Leadership Development • Opportunities to support our local communities • Chance to apply best practices in sustainability and environmental initiatives • Commitment to producing high quality nutritious products and providing nourishment around the world ​ What this role is all about: We are looking for Line Leads on 3rd Shift in La Crosse, WI . Schedule Options: Line Leads arrives to the line 15+ minutes early prepared for the shift. • 1st Shift, Monday - Friday 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM • 2nd Shift, Monday - Friday 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM • 3rd Shift, Sunday - Thursday 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM The Line Lead is responsible for performing and/or overseeing all tasks involved in the production of Select Custom Solutions products, with primary responsibilities of leading the work crew for a specific production line . The Line Lead follows standard work methods and practices safe work habits to ensure production is running as efficient and safe as possible. This position works in all areas of production as needed . ​ Job Duties : • Regularly handle bags of product that are at least 25 kg. (55.115 lbs.). • Ensure safety protocols and GMP procedures are adhered to; going over policies with production operators and staffing employees as needed. • Check blend sheet paperwork to make sure the proper components are being used (bags, pallets, fill weights, etc.), confirm that lot numbers match on product, labels, and paperwork. • Complete pre-operation inspection log on Daily Production Record. • Review production schedule for assigned line and check all necessary items: • Check batched materials to ensure they are signed off by Quality Assurance and staged in proper order based on schedule. • Ensure any special components are available as needed (oil, oil sprayer, tote dump, type of bags, etc.). • Communicate with assigned line crew regarding daily schedule. • Coordinate packaging needs (proper size, type, and timing) with appropriate batching employee . • Ensure metal detector and sifter checks are being completed by a qualified operator at required frequencies. • Check tare weight of scale and ensure tare weight is being maintained during packaging process. • Assign employees to specific workstations and inform supervisor of any absences and/or line problems as needed. • Monitor all phases of the production line and quality of product being produced: • Notify Maintenance of any potential mechanical problems in a timely manner as needed. • Perform periodic bag seal inspections. • Ensure all required samples are being pulled. • Monitor the consistency of the product (watch for color changes or color variation during a run). • Ensure pallets are neatly stacked. • Ensure bags are being scaled to the correct weight. • Perform periodic checks on product yield/recovery during the run. • Ensure product changeovers are done properly. • Sweep out and tap down tanks (following normal product flow in system). Check sifter tailings and CCP’s and record notes on production record. • Clear the line of materials used on the finished run (unused labels, bags, etc.); bag up samples and scoops, and turn into Quality Assurance. • Close out paperwork for the run (including yield calculation to ensure all materials have been recovered before starting next batch). • Maintain a clean and organized workstation and line. • Complete forklift operational checks at the beginning of each shift. • Operate forklift, if forklift-operating requirements met. • Read ingredients and count how many bags are on a pallet. • Palletize product as it comes off the various production lines. • Train new production line workers on all lines. • his position has regular contact with all production employees as well as the Production Supervisor/Plant Manager to obtain and provide information. • This position may have occasional contact with Quality Assurance, as well as with federal/state/regulatory inspectors on an annual basis. This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time. Where you’ll be working: Our La Crosse, WI, plant is home to approximately 330 employees. This facility supplies the food, beverage, and nutritional industries with innovative functional ingredients and superior quality contract manufacturing services. La Crosse, WI, is nestled between the Mississippi River and the rolling river bluffs. This town is home to a plethora of colleges, high-quality health care, community events, and cultural opportunities. If you want to enjoy outdoor activities there are many opportunities, such as hiking, cycling, skiing, and boating. The town hosts multiple events annually and is famously known for their Oktoberfest celebration as well as offering a minor league baseball team. Visit the La Crosse Chamber site https://www.lacrossechamber.com/ for more information on local events. AA/EEO – Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity #SJSCS26

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