Overview

The Team Leader (Captain) is an elevated front‑line role responsible for coordinating day‑to‑day execution on a manufacturing line. Acting as the "quarterback" of the shift, this role aligns people, materials, and resources to deliver safe, high‑quality, and efficient performance.

While remaining a hands‑on operator, the Team Leader provides direction, coaching, and motivation to a team of 7-8 employees to achieve daily production goals. As a key member of the line leadership triad, the Team Leader ensures priorities are clear, issues are addressed quickly, and performance targets are met. This is an empowered role with a strong voice in daily decision‑making and continuous improvement-an excellent entry point into leadership at PepsiCo.

Responsibilities

Shift Leadership & Execution

• Serve as the primary point of coordination for the manufacturing line during the shift
• Set pace and priorities to position the team for success
• Monitor total line performance and adjust execution to meet safety, quality, and productivity targets
• Maintain regular, reliable, and predictable attendance

Daily Direction Setting (DDS)

• Lead the line‑level DDS meeting
• Elevate the top issues from the shift, clearly outlining risks, actions, and support needed
• Ensure team member input is represented in daily discussions

Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement

• Navigate operational challenges and escalate when appropriate
• Support structured problem‑solving and continuous improvement activities
• Keep accurate daily records of downtime and machine operations

Team Engagement & Culture

• Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, and teamwork
• Encourage team participation through structured engagement systems
• Serve as a role model for safe, quality‑focused, and disciplined execution
• Elevate issues that impact safety, quality, or output in a timely manner
• Support on‑the‑job training for new team members and create a positive learning environment

Line Operations & Equipment

• Operate all manufacturing equipment-including new technologies-safely and efficiently
• Perform preventative maintenance tasks
• Maintain a clean and organized work area using good housekeeping practices

Compensation and Benefits:

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $54,700 - $82,050.
• Location, confirmed job-related skills, experience, and education will be considered in setting actual starting salary. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.
• Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement.
• In addition to salary, PepsiCo offers a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees and their families, subject to elections and eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health, and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Insurance (Accident, Group Legal, Life), Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.

Qualifications

Required Experience & Skills

• High School diploma required
• Proven analytical and problem‑solving capability
• 3+ years experience working in a manufacturing or production environment
• 3+ years experience operations, process improvement, or operational excellence
• 1 + years leadership experience
• 1+ years coaching experience
• Strong understanding of safety, quality, and operational standards
• Ability to lead peers and influence performance without formal authority
• Strong communication, organization, and problem‑solving skills
• Willingness to take accountability for shift performance
• Experience in a lead operator, team lead, or similar front‑line leadership role
• Familiarity with daily management systems (DDS, tier meetings, etc.)
• Knowledge of continuous improvement or IWS/Lean concepts

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in unionized environment
• Bachelor's degree (Industrial, Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, or related field) prefered
• Strong understanding of production processes and performance metrics
• SAP experience
• Ability to influence across shifts and functions
• Experience in food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods manufacturing
• Bottling, canning, or BIB line experience
• Lean, Six Sigma, IWS, or continuous improvement background
• Technical or engineering education or experience
• Must have indefinite right to work in the United States

Leadership & People Skills

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to drive change
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback
• Effective coaching, facilitation, presentation, and team‑building skills
• Ability to lead a team‑based approach to decision‑making

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Our Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable laws, including but not limited to, San Francisco Police Code Sections 4901-4919, commonly referred to as the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance; and Chapter XVII, Article 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, commonly referred to as the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity / Age.

If you'd like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the available EEO is the Law & EEO is the Law Supplement documents. View PepsiCo EEO Policy.

Please view our Pay Transparency Statement