Manufacturing Lead

Key Responsibilities: Lead daily manufacturing operations during assigned rotating shifts. Coordinate production priorities with Production Management, Production Control, Shipping, Warehouse, and Maintenance. Monitor production schedules and ensure customer orders are completed accurately and on time. Balance production lines to maximize throughput and minimize downtime. Provide hands-on support when needed to prevent production interruptions and line stoppages. Ensure support functions including Warehouse, Core Cutting, Plate-Making, Supply Depot, and Maintenance do not negatively impact production performance. Champion a strong safety-first culture by ensuring compliance with plant safety procedures, GMP standards, and company policies. Monitor key quality metrics including scrap, spoilage, waste reduction, customer returns, and production defects. Identify quality concerns and implement corrective actions to improve manufacturing performance. Ensure production documentation, audits, and operational standards remain accurate and up to date. Lead, coach, mentor, and motivate production employees to achieve safety, quality, and productivity goals. Conduct shift meetings and communicate daily production priorities. Identify training needs and develop Single Point Lessons (SPLs) to improve workforce capability. Foster accountability through performance coaching, employee engagement, and continuous feedback. Support employee performance evaluations and professional development initiatives. Promote effective communication across departments and shifts. Drive Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, waste reduction, and operational excellence initiatives. Facilitate real-time root cause analysis and structured problem solving. Escalate operational issues appropriately while coordinating with support departments. Support business improvement projects focused on efficiency, productivity, quality, and cost reduction. Prepare shift staffing schedules to ensure adequate production coverage. Track attendance, vacation, holidays, and absenteeism trends. Maintain production records and operational documentation. Report personnel, production, safety, and quality concerns to management promptly. Perform additional leadership responsibilities as assigned.

Required Qualifications: High School Diploma or GED required. Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Operations Management, Industrial Technology, Engineering, Business, or a related field preferred.35+ years of experience in a manufacturing, production, industrial, or plant operations environment. Previous experience as a Team Lead, Shift Lead, Production Supervisor, Manufacturing Supervisor, or other frontline leadership role preferred. Experience coordinating production teams in a fast-paced manufacturing setting. Working knowledge of SAP ERP, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and standard manufacturing systems. Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. Ability to prioritize multiple tasks while maintaining operational efficiency. Demonstrated commitment to workplace safety and regulatory compliance. Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams. Flexibility to work rotating shifts based on business and production requirements.