Job Title: Manufacturing Team Lead

Job Description

The Manufacturing Team Lead oversees a small team in a modern production environment, driving safety, quality, and efficiency while meeting daily production goals. This role provides hands-on leadership, training, and support to team members, ensures adherence to standard operating procedures, and actively contributes to continuous improvement initiatives using lean manufacturing tools.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate strong commitment to environmental health and safety principles, policies, and procedures, and lead by example in all safety-related activities.
• Maintain an effective span of control over a team of approximately 5–9 employees, providing clear direction, coaching, and support.
• Set, monitor, and achieve daily production goals, including tracking and reporting key metrics and performance indicators.
• Ensure shifts and breaks start and end on time, and actively engage the team in meeting daily production requirements and key performance indicators.
• Lead the team in a production environment, including conducting daily safety meetings and reinforcing safety and quality standards.
• Implement, audit, and ensure consistent use of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and operator work instructions.
• Operate within the framework of all applicable work instructions, SOPs, quality standards, and safety procedures.
• Participate in all required Environmental, Health and Safety training events and discussions.
• Perform machining and production processes as needed, providing hands-on coverage and support to the team.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and departments to troubleshoot issues, prioritize tasks, and solve production and process problems.
• Provide ongoing support, training, and development to team members to continuously improve safety, 6S, quality, delivery, and productivity.
• Contribute to maintaining high standards of integrity, safety, fair and equitable treatment, and a positive work environment.
• Utilize lean manufacturing tools to continuously improve manufacturing processes and reduce waste.
• Prepare, use, and maintain training documentation to support team member development and process consistency.
• Interpret blueprints and technical drawings to guide machining and production activities.
• Apply and support quality tools such as FMEAs, SPC, control plans, and 8D problem-solving in daily operations.
• Use metrics and analysis to monitor performance, identify trends, and recommend improvements.
• Support production management activities, including planning, prioritizing, and coordinating work across the team.
• Perform other responsibilities as deemed appropriate or necessary by management, including reassignment to other departments, functional groups, or shifts when required.

Essential Skills

• Associate degree in manufacturing or a related field plus 3 years of previous manufacturing experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job.
• 1–2 years of experience in a leadership role, preferably in a manufacturing setting.
• Proven track record of professionalism, integrity, and reliability in prior roles.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and lead production teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with machining and production processes, including CNC operations.
• Strong understanding of safety practices, 6S, and quality standards in manufacturing.
• Ability to interpret blueprints and technical documentation.
• Experience using quality tools such as FMEAs, SPC, control plans, 8D, and other commonly used quality methodologies.
• Competence with Microsoft Office software, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Strong teamwork skills and the ability to cooperate and work proactively with others.
• Good time management and attention to detail, with the ability to manage deadlines and priorities.
• Effective written and oral communication skills, with the ability to interact and communicate with all levels of leadership, teammates, employees, and customers.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently or within a team, including under deadlines and pressure.
• Willingness to put in extra effort and hours as needed to meet production and business requirements.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing leadership, production management, or team lead roles.
• Experience in continuous improvement and lean manufacturing, including use of lean tools to improve processes.
• Familiarity with 6S met