Production Team Lead

 

Key Responsibilities
Safety Leadership & Compliance (Highest Priority)
•    Lead and enforce all EHS regulations, robotic cell safety standards, and safe work practices.
•    Ensure no bypass of safety systems (light curtains, scanners, interlocks, guarding).
•    Conduct pre-shift safety audits and verify workstation readiness.
•    Lead safety talks (toolbox meetings) and reinforce safety behaviors.
•    Ensure proper use of PPE and ergonomic practices.
•    Investigate and report incidents, near misses, and unsafe conditions, applying corrective actions.
•    Empower team members to follow stop-call-wait principle for unsafe conditions.
Production Management & Throughput Optimization
•    Manage team performance to achieve production targets (JPH) aligned with takt time.
•    Monitor and improve OEE drivers: Availability (downtime reduction), Performance (cycle adherence), Quality (first-time quality)
•    Balance workloads across stations to avoid bottlenecks, starvation, or blocking.
•    Ensure proper execution of standard work at each station.
•    Monitor real-time production flow using Andon systems and dashboards.
•    Lead recovery plans during downtime and coordinate with Maintenance and Engineering.
•    Support and oversee changeovers ensuring minimal impact on production.
Quality Assurance & Compliance
•    Ensure adherence to control plans, work instructions, and quality alerts.
•    Verify operators are performing in-process inspections correctly.
•    Lead containment actions for defects (segregation, traceability, escalation).
•    Drive first-time quality (FTQ) and reduce rework/scrap.
•    Participate in QRQC (Quick Response Quality Control) and root cause analysis.
•    Ensure compliance with traceability standards (part labels, lot control, sequencing).
People Management & Leadership
•    Lead, coach, and develop production team members.
•    Conduct daily briefings (SPEQDC: Safety, People, Environment, Quality, Delivery, Cost).
•    Assign tasks and ensure proper station coverage.
•    Monitor attendance, performance, and discipline within the team.
•    Identify training needs and ensure skill certification (matrix-based training).
•    Foster a team-oriented, accountable, and quality-focused culture.
•    Support new team members onboarding and qualifications.
Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement
•    Lead first-level troubleshooting of production issues (quality, equipment, process).
•    Apply structured problem-solving methods (e.g., 5 Why, A3, Fishbone analysis).
•    Identify and eliminate chronic losses and inefficiencies.
•    Drive Kaizen activities and continuous improvement actions.
•    Collaborate with Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering for sustainable solutions.
•    Ensure implementation and follow-up of corrective actions.
Communication & Escalation
•    Act as the first point of escalation for Andon calls and line abnormalities.
•    Ensure clear communication between shifts.
•    Communicate production status, issues, and action plans to management.
•    Coordinate with support functions (Maintenance, Quality, Logistics).
•    Maintain proper reporting of downtime, defects, and performance.
5S & Workplace Organization
•    Ensure implementation and sustainment of 5S standards.
•    Maintain clean, organized, and safe workstations.
•    Conduct regular audits and ensure compliance to visual standards.

 

•    Ability to lead and motivate a team, driving them towards achieving project goals, experience in working UB, Side body and has knowledge of Spot welding, SPR, FDS and MIG/Mag welding 
•    Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 
•    Problem-solving skills, basic knowledge of robot & PLC programming, and troubleshooting with the ability to identify issues, propose solutions, and implement process improvements.
•    Strong commitment to maintaining high-quality standards and ensuring customer satisfaction. 
•    Effective organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage simultaneously 
•    Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, adapt to changing priorities, and handle pressure while maintaining a positive attitude. 
•    Professional, informative, and responsive communication to customers. 
•    Be proficient in general office PC programs and equipment monitoring systems.  

 

Minimum Qualifications
•    Technical associate degree.
•    3+ years of experience as production leader or related role
•    Good communication and teamwork abilities
•    Familiarity with BIW processes and components is a plus
•    Basic Microsoft Office knowledge (PowerPoint, Excel, Word)
•    Physically able to stand, lift up to 50 lbs, and work in confined spaces with required PPE.