Production Line Manager

Mondelez International · Chicago, IL

Posted Aug 9, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

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

Behavioral

Tell me about the first line you managed, or the closest thing to it. What did the safety, quality, cost, and delivery targets look like, and how did you break them down for your team.

whether the candidate has actually translated site-level targets into line and shift-level goals rather than just hitting numbers handed to them

Tell me about a time you had a serious conflict with someone on your team, maybe a union employee, and it got tense. How did you handle it and what was the outcome.

composure and tact in interpersonal conflict, specifically named because of the union environment

Tell me about a time you had to build or manage a budget for a line or area. What did you cut, and how did you decide.

real exposure to cost control and budget ownership, not just execution of someone else's numbers

Tell me about someone you developed on your team, maybe someone you identified as high potential. What did you do differently for them versus everyone else.

genuine investment in succession planning and talent development, a named responsibility in this role

Describe a time morale on your line dropped, maybe after a bad month or a hard schedule change. What did you do about it and did it work.

whether they treat morale as a real target to manage, since it's explicitly listed alongside safety and quality

Tell me about a time you had to explain a technical or performance issue in writing to people above you or across shifts. How did you make sure it was clear and useful.

the communication and documentation skill called out in the posting, important for shift handoffs and compliance records

Technical

Walk me through what autonomous maintenance step 4 actually looks like on the floor versus step 5 or 6. What changes for the operator.

real hands-on knowledge of the AM/PM step system rather than buzzword familiarity

How have you worked with a union before, even if not directly managing union employees? What do you understand about the difference between managing in a union shop versus a non-union one.

whether they grasp contract constraints and grievance processes, or are walking in blind

How do you think about Six Sigma in a daily production environment? Give me an example of a loss you identified and eliminated using that kind of approach.

practical application of Six Sigma and TPM concepts to actual line losses, not classroom knowledge

Situational

Say a machine on your line is running but you notice buildup and minor deterioration that hasn't caused a breakdown yet. What do you do and who do you involve.

whether they apply basic conditions and progressive maintenance discipline proactively instead of waiting for failure

A shift supervisor comes to you saying a new line rule is going to cause pushback from the crew and might trigger a grievance. How do you handle the rollout.

judgment in balancing operational needs against labor relations risk

You're short-staffed for an upcoming shift because of turnover, and you also need to keep training going for a new operator. How do you juggle recruitment, retention, and training all at once.

ability to manage workforce planning as an ongoing juggling act, not a one-time project

If a line target is falling short and you suspect it's an equipment basic-conditions issue rather than a people issue, how do you confirm that and what do you change first.

diagnostic thinking that separates root cause from symptom before jumping to a fix

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The full job description

As published by Mondelez International.

Job Description Are You Ready to Make It Happen at Mondelēz International? Join our Mission to Lead the Future of Snacking. Make It With Pride. This role helps ensure the sustained continuity of technical mastery and line leadership in manufacturing, by leading a key line of the business (technical, system or organizational) to deliver results defined by the compelling business need of the site. You ensure that key business results are achieved and for developing others to ensure the sustained continuity of technical mastery on the manufacturing line. Using a systematic approach, you use strategic thinking skills to ensure results are sustained over the long term. How you will contribute In your likely first managerial role, you will ensure that Mondelēz International’s safety, quality, cost, delivery, sustainability and morale targets are achieved for the lines for which you are responsible by breaking down section targets into line and unit targets and ensuring that employees understand their individual performance goals related to the overall targets. In this role, you will also develop budgets and be responsible for costs control management, governance and compliance, loss elimination and workforce planning, including recruitment, retention, development, succession planning, and the identification of high potential team members. Without you, we would not be able to deliver high-quality snacks to our customers. What you will bring A desire to drive your future and accelerate your career. You will bring experience and knowledge in: • Autonomous maintenance (AM) Step 4 systems and progressive maintenance (PM) Step 3 systems • Maintaining equipment at basic conditions independently, including the execution of AM & PM (break-down maintenance, planned maintenance) standards on dedicated equipment • Total productive maintenance and Six Sigma including qualification of AM steps 5-6, and PM step 3 • Leading line teams • Handling challenging interpersonal situations tactfully • Influencing people in a union environment • Communicating effectively verbally and in writing and a good attention to detail Salary and Benefits: The base salary range for this position is $97,300 to $133,815; the exact salary depends on several factors such as experience, skills, education and location. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for participation in a highly competitive bonus program with possibility for overachievement based on performance and company results.

In addition, Mondelez International offers the following benefits: health insurance, wellness and family support programs, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, paid leave programs, education related programs, paid holidays and vacation time. Some of these benefits have eligibility requirements. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by the company. No Relocation support available Business Unit Summary The United States is the largest market in the Mondelēz International family with a significant employee and manufacturing footprint. Here, we produce our well-loved household favorites to provide our consumers with the right snack, at the right moment, made the right way. We have corporate offices, sales, manufacturing and distribution locations throughout the U.S. to ensure our iconic brands—including Oreo and Chips Ahoy! cookies, Ritz, Wheat Thins and Triscuit crackers, and Swedish Fish and Sour Patch Kids confectionery products —are close at hand for our consumers across the country. Mondelēz Global LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants who require accommodation to participate in the job application process may contact 847-943-5460 for assistance. For more information about your Federal rights, please see eeopost.pdf ; EEO is the Law Poster Supplement ; Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision ; Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal Job Type Regular Manufacturing core Manufacturing

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Production Line Manager

Likely interview questions for this role

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The full job description

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