Production Lead

Job Summary

The Production Lead is responsible for supporting daily production operations by ensuring workflow efficiency, quality standards, safety compliance, and team alignment. This role emphasizes clear communication, collaboration across departments, and leadership qualities to drive performance, prioritize safety as a core value, and foster a positive team environment.

Primary Duties

LEADERSHIP & COMMUNICATION
·    Act as the primary point of contact for the assigned production area, ensuring clear and timely communication of updates, changes, and priorities to technicians and supervisors.
·    Lead daily team huddles to review goals, safety reminders, and production updates.
·    Provide constructive feedback and coaching to team members to foster engagement and performance.
·    Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement across all operations.
·    Accountable for effective communication and accurate data documentation during shift handovers to maintain operational continuity and alignment across shifts
QUALITY & SAFETY
·    Respond promptly to Andon signals and troubleshoot issues to minimize downtime and maintain product integrity.
·    Ensure proper documentation and quarantining of nonconforming material; assist in root cause analysis and corrective actions.
·    Conduct daily quality audits to verify compliance with Work Instructions (WI) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
·    Collaborate with Quality team to drive improvements in First Pass Yield and defect reduction.
·    Maintain clean, organized workstations and enforce compliance with 6S standards.
·    Ensure proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and verify equipment safety checks.
·    Act as a role model for safe behaviors and encourage a culture of safety awareness.
WORKFLOW MANAGEMENT
·    Review attendance and station assignments at the start of each shift with the Production Supervisor; resolve discrepancies quickly.
·    Monitor workflow throughout the shift and reassign technicians as needed to maintain line balance and meet output targets.
·    Attend daily production meetings and communicate any plan changes effectively to the team.
·    Track and report on Idle Time to Supervisor to create corrective action plans
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
·    Train new and existing team members on safety protocols, work instructions, and best practices.
·    Document training completion and maintain accurate records.
·    Identify skill gaps and recommend additional training or cross-training opportunities to enhance team flexibility.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIS)
·    Station Output Goals (units per shift)
·    First Pass Yield (% of products meeting quality standards without rework)
·    Idle Time Reduction (minutes per shift)

Qualifications

•    Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to lead and motivate teams.
•    Organizational and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
•    Basic computer proficiency (tablets, scanners, QuickBase).
•    Mechanical aptitude and ability to perform minor maintenance tasks.
•    Physical ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work in a production environment.
•    Working Conditions: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk and use hands to touch, grasp, handle and feel items. Noise level is usually moderate. Production floor temperature may reach up to 90+ degrees during the summer months.
•    Technical Skills (manufacturing experience, WI/SOP knowledge, mechanical aptitude)
•    Soft Skills (leadership, communication, problem-solving)
•    Preferred Certifications (Lean, OSHA, QMS)

Education / Experience

•    High School Diploma or equivalent; prior manufacturing experience required (leadership experience preferred).
•    At least 5 year of prior driveshaft manufacturing experience, or at least one year of relevant experience.