Production Team Lead

Key Responsibilities Lead and coordinate daily production activities to meet safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets Assign work, balance labor, and ensure adequate coverage for production needs Monitor production output, downtime, scrap, and efficiency; escalate issues as needed Ensure adherence to standard work instructions, SOPs, and production schedules Provide day-to-day direction, coaching, and support to production team members Train new hires and cross-train team members to support operational flexibility Promote a positive, respectful, and accountable work environment Support performance management through feedback, attendance monitoring, and documentation Enforce safety rules, PPE usage, and safe work practices at all times Conduct safety talks, audits, and incident investigations as required Ensure products meet quality standards and support root-cause analysis for defects Partner with Quality and Engineering to implement corrective actions Identify and drive improvement opportunities related to safety, quality, productivity, and cost Participate in Lean, Kaizen, 5S, or other continuous improvement initiatives Support process improvements, equipment optimization, and waste reduction efforts Communicate production goals, priorities, and shift handoffs clearly Escalate equipment issues, material shortages, and staffing concerns promptly Maintain accurate production, downtime, and labor records in ERP/MES systems Collaborate with Maintenance, Quality, Planning, and Supply Chain teams Other duties as assigned Required Qualifications High school diploma or GED required 3-5+ years of manufacturing or production experience 1-3 years of experience in a lead, senior operator, or supervisory capacity Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma exposure or certification Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and production workflows Basic computer skills (ERP/MES systems, Microsoft Office) Preferred Qualifications Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, or related field Experience in a regulated manufacturing environment (ISO, FDA, GMP, etc.) Experience leading union or non-union teams Strong leadership, coaching, and conflict-resolution skills Clear verbal and written communication Problem-solving and root-cause analysis capabilities Ability to work in a fast-paced, hands-on manufacturing environment High attention to detail and commitment to safety and quality