Team Lead, Manufacturing ​/ Production

Summary

We are looking for a motivated Team Lead, Production to join our high performing technology team. In this role, you’ll be responsible for ensuring that the manufacturing of our products is carried out efficiently and with strict adherence to quality standards. Working with the Production Supervisor, as a Team Lead, you’ll lead other members of the Production Line, ensure that safety rules and procedures are followed and support your team to put in their best.

• Proven ability to read, understand, and adhere to work instructions, BOMs, assembly drawings, and test data.
• Mechanical assembly and sub‑assemblies of all department products within acceptable quality and output levels.
• Effectively plan, coordinate, and allocate resources (Dynamic Resource Allocation) to maximize efficiency and productivity within the team, ensuring achievement of key deliverables (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, and Productivity) for the assigned production line.
• Demonstrate strong leadership skills by managing and communicating improvement opportunities, providing feedback, building team morale, leading problem‑solving initiatives, promoting team development, encouraging training opportunities, cross‑training employees, and maintaining training records.
• Drive daily Gemba and report out for your Production Line/Cell.
• Responsible for coordinating daily with material handler/water spider to ensure shipments are transacted on time.
• Accountable for updating backlog reporting tool daily with status updates for orders in WIP.
• Conduct thorough product inspections, accurately identifying non‑conformances, performing rework as needed, and actively investigating potential root causes of issues in the assembly process.
• Demonstrated experience safely and properly using hand tools and ensures calibrated tools are kept up to date.
• Cleanliness and workstation clean up through 5S standards.
• Operational/Production Line Management:
  Soldering of cables, wires and through‑hole devices within acceptable quality limits.
• Properly operate pass/fail test equipment (ALTF, PD Test, etc.).
• Able to suggest and help implement process improvement activities, lead 5S initiatives and daily cycle counts.
• Understand and interpret test results/plots, and basic failure modes.
• Demonstrate mastery of all operations designated Production Line/Cell.

High school diploma or equivalent. Demonstrated ability to inspire, guide, and develop other team members while fostering a collaborative and results‑oriented culture. Aptitude for identifying production challenges, developing innovative solutions, and implementing process improvement. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effectively leading and collaborating with team members, as well as liaising with other departments. Strong organizational and time‑management skills to effectively coordinate production activities, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.

Ability to multitask and willingness to learn different assembly requirements. Proficiency in using MS Office & Oracle, and relevant technology platforms. Safety and chemical awareness.

Previous experience with opto‑electronics and PCB commodities. Previous experience working in Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma environments. Basic knowledge and practice of ESD and 5S principles.

None

Standing for extended periods at a time;
Ability to lift up to 20 pounds.

The salary for this role will range from $59,000 to $70,000 annually based on full‑time employment. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including but not limited to location, relevant skills, training, experience, education, etc. Certain roles may be eligible for performance‑based incentive compensation and/or long‑term incentives. Incentives could be discretionary or non‑discretionary depending on the plan.

Novanta supports all aspects of your life’s needs. This position provides a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits to make your quality of life better.

Novanta is proud to be an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action workplace. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, military and veteran status, disability, genetics, or any other category protected by federal law or Novanta policy. Please call  if you need a disability accommodation for any part of the employment process.